Enraizamento de estacas de pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) sob diferentes substratos.

Abstract

Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) is a cactus of high commercial value, standing out for its hardiness, adaptation to different climatic conditions, and growing market demand. Its cultivation has expanded due to the low initial cost and ease of propagation by cuttings. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the rooting of pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) cuttings under different substrates. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Institute of Amapá (IFAP), Porto Grande Agricultural Campus, using a completely randomized design (CRD), with four treatments and 15 repetitions. Parameters such as root length, root fresh mass, root dry mass, number of cladodes (shoots), and total fresh mass of cladodes were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the Black Earth + Washed Sand substrate showed the highest root accumulation (28.27 g), followed by 100% Black Earth (23.09 g) and the Black Earth + Poultry Litter mixture (23.6 g), while the treatments with lower porosity registered the lowest growth values. It is concluded that the physical composition of the substrates directly influences the rooting of Hylocereus costaricensis cuttings, highlighting the superior performance of mixtures with greater aeration and drainage. Further studies involving other substrate proportions and different growing conditions are necessary to broaden the understanding of the species' requirements.