Evaluation of High Tunnel Systems on Dragon Fruit Production in South Florida

The South Florida is one of the most diverse and largest tropical fruit producing regions in US. Dragon fruit or Pitaya production in open field sites is increasingly coming under pressure of pests, diseases, temperature fluctuations and intense rain events. As an alternative, high tunnels offer an environment protected against plant diseases and extreme weather conditions, which are prevalent in South Florida. Hence, a research study is conducted to investigate the feasibility of high-tunnel pitaya production to increase plant productivity, identify the best varieties and improve soil and water conservation in South Florida. The specific objectives of the study are 1) to determine the effect of high tunnel facilities on pitaya production and health, 2) to examine the impact of high tunnel on soil and plant macro and micronutrient concentrations, and 3) to evaluate the marketable produce per plant and per acre return and risk (variance) of high tunnel production, using stochastic approach. The experiment is conducted in a high tunnel and in an open field (control) at the FIU organic farm. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and about three varieties of pitaya were established and being tested, those includes, Hylocereus undatus, a variety with red peel and white pulp; Hylocereus megalanthus, a variety with yellow peel and white pulp; Hylocereus costaricenes, a variety with red peel and red pulp. The study is being conducted in two, 28' (long) × 12' (wide) tunnels. The plants were grown healthy in both hoop house and outside, while the plants inside the hoop house have less runoff as it is protected from the rain events. The weed growth was seen more in the control grown plants over the hoop house grown plants. The leaf area index, chlorophyll content, fluorescence and spectral reflectance readings is monitored to identify the changes in plant physiology, growth rate and increase in biomass of plants in the hoop house and control grown plants. The research conducted has significant implications in suggesting the crop growing practices under controlled environmental structures.