Phenotypic Diversity of Morphological Traits of Pitahaya ( Hylocereus spp.) and Its Agronomic Potential in the Amazonas Region, Peru

Julio Cesar Santos-Pelaez, David Saravia-Navarro (), Julio H. I. Cruz-Delgado, Miguel Angel del Carpio-Salas, Elgar Barboza and David Pavel Casanova Nuñez Melgar
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Julio Cesar Santos-Pelaez: Estación Experimental Agraria Amazonas, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Ex Aeropuerto, Fundo San Juan, Chachapoyas 01000, Peru
David Saravia-Navarro: Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981 La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Julio H. I. Cruz-Delgado: Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981 La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Miguel Angel del Carpio-Salas: Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981 La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Elgar Barboza: Instituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva (INDES-CES), Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Chachapoyas 01001, Peru
David Pavel Casanova Nuñez Melgar: Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981 La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Pitahaya ( Hylocereus spp.) is an economically significant cactus fruit in Peru, renowned for its rich nutritional profile and antioxidant properties while exhibiting wide biological diversity. This study aimed to morphologically characterize seven pitahaya accessions using qualitative and quantitative descriptors related to the cladodes, flowers, and fruits. Univariate and multivariate (FAMD, PCA, MCA, and clustering) analyses were employed to identify and classify the accessions based on their morphological traits. The analyses revealed three distinct groups: one consisting solely of AC.07; another with AC.02, AC.04, and AC.06; and a third including AC.01, AC.03, and AC.05. The first group exhibited superior characteristics, particularly in fruit traits such as the stigma lobe count (23.3), number of bracts (26.5 mm), and length of apical bracts (15.75 mm). The second group recorded the highest spine count (3.21), bract length (16.95 mm), and awn thickness (5.12 mm). The third group had the highest bract count (37) and an average locule number (23.65). These findings highlight the significant morphological diversity among the accessions, indicating the potential for classification and selection in pitahaya cultivation. The potential of AC.07 stands out in terms of its agronomic qualities, such as its fruit weight (451.93 g) and pulp weight (292.5 g), surpassing the other accessions.

Keywords: biodiversity; characterization; descriptor; dragon fruit; genetic improvement; Hylocereus spp. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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