ISHS Acta Horticulturae 811: VI International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal
EXTENDING FRUITING SEASON OF CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (L.) MILLER) IN SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA |
| Authors: | M.J. Ochoa, M.G. Targa, G. Abdala, G. Leguizamón |
| Keywords: | anthesis, growing season, re-flowering, scozzolatura |
| Abstract:
Cactus pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) in Argentina has only one harvest season, which makes commercialization difficult due to overseasonality. In Italy, on the other hand, plants are induced to reblooming by removing the flowers in spring, a technique known as “scozzolatura”. This paper assessed the effect of flower removal in Opuntia plants in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, under a 2x2x4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Two periods (2005-2006, 2006-2007), two areas (with and without irrigation) and four treatments: control, 100% flower removal 10 days after anthesis, 100% flower removal 20 days after anthesis and 50% flower removal 10 days after anthesis. In every case, 100% flower removal delayed harvest and yielded larger fruits. The 50% flower removal meant lower fruit yield. | |
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