ISHS Acta Horticulturae 811: VI International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal
CACTUS PEAR OFF-SEASON PRODUCTION A TOPIC OF INTEREST FOR MEXICAN GROWERS AFTER MARKET GLOBALIZATION |
| Authors: | C. Mondragón-Jacobo, C. Gallegos-Vázquez, J.C. Martinez-Gonzalez |
| Keywords: | Opuntia ficus-indica, ecophysiology, harvest season, early production |
| Abstract:
Cactus pear off-season production (OSP) is interesting for Mexican growers due to market globalization. OSP offers consumers a wider availability and variability of horticultural products. Imported cactus pears into Mexico may not be far into the future. OSP is also an escape valve for peak production in the seasonal market, a possibility to obtain better prices and a strategy to maintain consumer preference. Two regions in Mexico; Villanueva, Pue. and Piramides, Mexico State, are involved on OSP at small scale, but the interest is nationwide. Extended production season should be addressed from the ecophysiological and horticultural points of view. Agroclimatic needs of cactus pear identify it as a subtropical species more than a temperate climate plant, therefore strategies of manipulation of flowering need to be revisited. Three approaches have been followed to OSP in Mexico: agroclimatic surveys, agronomic studies and identification and generation of early or late ripening genotypes. Identification of new areas for OSP based on mapping techniques and data on agroclimatic requirements has been conducted in Zacatecas, North Central Mexico. Isolated studies on: irrigation, fertilization, pruning, girdling and growth regulators, led to mixed results. Collection and evaluation of early or late ripening entries has been recently undertaken. “Roja Ceniza” and early cultivar, “Rojo Vigor” and “Amarilla Diamante” with extended flowering as well as breeding lines of indeterminate and multiple flowering have been identified. Breeding for OSP is still in its infancy. This paper presents an update on OSP in Mexico. | |
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