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Fruta dragão: nova cultura exótica no Algarve
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Nos últimos anos a fruta dragão (Hylocereus spp.) tem vindo a ganhar destaque nos mercados europeus e asiáticos. A sua aparência exótica, alto valor nutricional e elevada adaptabilidade a diferentes condições tornam a pitaia numa aposta interessante. Com o propósito de estudar e dar a conhecer as potencialidades desta “nova” cultura, foi formado o grupo operacional “Fruta Dragão”, financiado pela UE, através do programa PDR2020. A região eleita para o estudo do comportamento da cultura foi o Algarve. As baixas necessidades hídricas da pitaia tornam esta cultura mais sustentável, principalmente numa altura em que a escassez de água nesta região é um tema dominante. Os preços elevados que os frutos atingem no mercado constituem mais um fator de atração para os agricultores. A pitaia será uma boa opção para rentabilizar pequenas áreas com potencial agrícola, que não possam ser aproveitadas para culturas fruteiras mais exigentes em rega. Inicialmente foi feito um levantamento da situação da cultura em Portugal. Foi estabelecida uma coleção de 15 variedades ao ar livre, em Cacela Velha, e em estufa, no viveiro Mil Plantas, em Estoi, para caracterização do crescimento, da floração e da frutificação. No campo, estão a ser ensaiadas diversas modalidades de estruturas de suporte, cobertura de solo e compasso. Contamos também com a colaboração de agricultores que estão a cultivar a pitaia em estufa, em solo e em hidroponia. Já foram organizados dois dias abertos para divulgar a cultura a potenciais produtores.
No presente ano já se obteve floração e frutificação em algumas das variedades (H. undatus, H. costaricensis, ‘JC01’ e ‘Híbrida’), permitindo assim fazer uma caracterização preliminar das mesmas. Na Universidade do Algarve foram feitas provas organoléticas com o objetivo de determinar a aceitação por parte dos consumidores, tendo-se verificado respostas muito positivas (aceitabilidade acima de 80 % dos consumidores).
In recent years, dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) has been gaining prominence in European and Asian markets. Its exotic appearance, high nutritional value and high adaptability to different conditions make the dragon fruit an interesting bet. To study and show the potential of this “new” culture, the operational group “Fruta Dragão” was formed, financed by the EU, through the PDR2020 program. The region chosen for the study of the behavior of culture was the Algarve. The low water needs of pitaya make this crop more sustainable, especially at a time when water scarcity in this region is a dominant theme. The high prices that the fruits reach in the market are yet another attraction factor for farmers. The pitaya will be a good option to monetize small areas with agricultural potential, which cannot be used for more demanding fruit crops in irrigation. Initially a survey was made of the situation of culture in Portugal. A collection of 15 outdoor varieties was established, in Cacela Velha, and in a greenhouse, at the Mil Plantas nursery, in Estoi, to characterize growth, flowering and fruiting. In the field, several types of support structures, ground cover and compass are being tested. We also count on the collaboration of farmers who are growing the pitaia in a greenhouse, on the ground and in hydroponics. Two open days have already been organized to disseminate the culture to potential producers. This year flowering and fruiting has already been achieved in some of the varieties (H. undatus, H. costaricensis, ‘JC01’ and ‘Hybrid’), allowing a preliminary characterization. At the University of Algarve, organoleptic tests were carried out with the purpose of determining consumer acceptance, with very positive responses (acceptability above 80% of consumers).
In recent years, dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) has been gaining prominence in European and Asian markets. Its exotic appearance, high nutritional value and high adaptability to different conditions make the dragon fruit an interesting bet. To study and show the potential of this “new” culture, the operational group “Fruta Dragão” was formed, financed by the EU, through the PDR2020 program. The region chosen for the study of the behavior of culture was the Algarve. The low water needs of pitaya make this crop more sustainable, especially at a time when water scarcity in this region is a dominant theme. The high prices that the fruits reach in the market are yet another attraction factor for farmers. The pitaya will be a good option to monetize small areas with agricultural potential, which cannot be used for more demanding fruit crops in irrigation. Initially a survey was made of the situation of culture in Portugal. A collection of 15 outdoor varieties was established, in Cacela Velha, and in a greenhouse, at the Mil Plantas nursery, in Estoi, to characterize growth, flowering and fruiting. In the field, several types of support structures, ground cover and compass are being tested. We also count on the collaboration of farmers who are growing the pitaia in a greenhouse, on the ground and in hydroponics. Two open days have already been organized to disseminate the culture to potential producers. This year flowering and fruiting has already been achieved in some of the varieties (H. undatus, H. costaricensis, ‘JC01’ and ‘Hybrid’), allowing a preliminary characterization. At the University of Algarve, organoleptic tests were carried out with the purpose of determining consumer acceptance, with very positive responses (acceptability above 80% of consumers).
Description
Keywords
Fruticultura Hylocereus undatus Necessidades hídricas Pitaia.
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Publisher
Associação Portuguesa de Horticultura