Bokashi: An Alternative for Pitahaya Cutting Production

Abstract

Bokashi organic fertilizer is a potential alternative substrate for pitahaya cutting production. This study aimed to evaluate root and shoot development in pitahaya cuttings grown with different substrates composed of soil, bokashi, sand, and the inorganic fertilizer ammonium diphosphate (DAP) applied in liquid form. In order to identify the best alternatives for cutting production in the central coastal region of Veracruz, Mexico. River sand and soil were mixed with bokashi in the proportion 1/1 and 1/0.5 (volume/volume) (1Sand/1Bokashi, 1Sand/0.5Bokashi, 1Soil/1Bokashi and 1Soil/0.5Bokashi).Additionally, treatments included only river sand, only soil, and soil with weekly applications of DAP through irrigation water at concentrations of 1% and 5% (Soil+DAP1 and Soil+DAP5). A randomized block experimental design was used; with land slope as the blocking factor. One plant constituted the experimental unit. 54 plants per treatment were considered. Statistical differences were detected in root area (cm²), number of roots, average root length (cm), fresh root weight (g), number of shoots per cutting, length and central diameter of the shoot (g), as well as fresh shoot weight (g). It is concluded that the mixture of silt-loam soil or river sand with bokashi organic fertilizer in the proportion 1:1 (volume/volume) is a viable alternative for obtaining pitahaya cuttings with 13 to 16 roots over a period of 50 days, weighing between 6 and 7 grams of fresh weight and that this is reflected in stems that emit between 2.4 and 3.0 shoots.