# Pitaya as a New Alternative Crop for Iberian Peninsula: Cultural Practices

## TL;DR

This paper reviews best practices for growing pitaya in the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on adapting techniques to local conditions for sustainable production.

## Contribution

The study provides a synthesized and critical analysis of pitaya cultural practices tailored for the Iberian Peninsula’s specific conditions.

## Key findings

- Propagation methods and training systems are crucial for successful early development of pitaya crops.
- Water management and irrigation strategies require region-specific guidelines for optimal pitaya cultivation.
- Floral induction and manual pollination significantly improve productivity and fruit quality.

## Abstract

Pitaya (Selenicereus spp.) cultivation has expanded in the Iberian Peninsula in recent years, driven mainly by increasing demand from the European market and by the crop’s good adaptability to Mediterranean conditions. However, the successful consolidation of this crop requires the adoption of cultural practices adapted to regional edaphoclimatic conditions and production systems. The present review aims to synthesise and critically analyse the scientific literature on pitaya cultural practices, integrating information from major producing regions worldwide and from Mediterranean environments, where data remain limited. Key topics include propagation methods for success in early development, training systems and pruning, soil management within the framework of sustainable orchard management practices and the crop’s versatility in integrating diverse agroecosystems. In addition, bibliometric analysis identified water requirements and irrigation strategies as key aspects for which region-specific guidelines are still required. This study emphasises the utilisation of floral induction techniques and the significance of supplementary manual pollination for ensuring higher productivity and superior fruit quality. Overall, this review provides a consolidated reference to support the development of sustainable and regionally adapted pitaya production systems in the Iberian Peninsula.