Caracterização multiespectral da cultura da pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) em diferentes fases fisiológicas

Abstract

The cultivation of pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus), a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, has been garnering increasing interest in the Brazilian market due to its economic potential and profitability in small areas. However, extensive cultivation faces challenges with pests and diseases, requiring effective approaches such as precision agriculture using drones equipped with multispectral cameras. The study conducted at Fazenda Beira Rio, located in Valença - BA, evaluated the Roxa do Pará variety in an area of 1,848 m², aiming to analyze the conditions of the crop in different physiological phases through the NDVI index. The images were processed, and the data were evaluated plant by plant. In the reproductive phase, the average index was 0.47545, indicating healthy plants, while in the vegetative phase, the average index was significantly higher, reaching 0.72732, indicating more pronounced vegetative vigor. The vegetative phase is characterized by active plant growth, resulting in higher photosynthetic and metabolic activity, whereas in the reproductive phase, the fruits become the main sinks for photoassimilates, reducing plant vigor. The comparison between the phases reveals a 65.37% reduction in the NDVI index in the reproductive phase compared to the vegetative phase. The crop shows greater uniformity in the vegetative phase, demonstrating more homogeneous physiological conditions. In contrast, in the reproductive phase, significant differences are observed between plants, indicating a challenge for crop management at this stage. The analysis of NDVI proves to be an efficient tool for assessing the physiological state of plants in different phases, allowing the identification of plants with lower vegetative vigor for the implementation of corrective actions. Therefore, the use of this technique represents an important contribution to the precise and effective management of pitaya cultivation, promoting a more sustainable and productive crop.