Evaluación de diferentes dósis de fertiriego en el cultivo de tuna (Opuntia ficusindica L.) ya establecido, basadas en la exportación de nutrientes, en la estación experimental Tunshi.

Abstract

The objective of this research work was to evaluate different fertigation doses in the established prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) crop, based on nutrient export, at the Tunshi Experimental Station. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement was used, with three treatments, a control, and three replicates. For this purpose, fruits of prickly pear plants were randomly sampled in one hectare, at the Tunshi Experimental Station, in Licto canton, Chimborazo province, then sent for analysis based on nutrient extraction (BEN). With these results, the respective doses for fertigation were proposed, being A1 (BEN), A2 (+50% BEN), A3 (-50% BEN), and A4 Control, and the doses of agricultural gypsum were Control (B1), 250 kg/ha (B2), and 500 kg/ha (B3). The best results in pulp volume, pulp acidity, and soluble solids were obtained, with the BEN dose plus 250 kg/ha of agricultural gypsum with averages of 46.71 ml, 6.33 pH, and 12.78 (°Brix). For fruit polar diameter and rind hardness, the dose of agricultural gypsum, control with a mean of 7.02 cm and 500 kg/ha with a mean of 27.69 N, respectively, had a direct influence. In terms of bark weight and equatorial diameter, there were no significant differences. For yield, the dose -50% BEN yielded an average of 1381.97 kg/ha. For plant height, the BEN dose obtained an average of 22.06 cm. It was concluded that the results obtained in this study were favorable, suggesting the use of the BEN dose plus 250 kg/ha of agricultural gypsum, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.11 dollars.