| Popis: |
Prickly pear cladodes could bloom several times during the same season, either naturally or after applying inductive practices such as Scozzolatura technique; this allows extending fruiting season of cactus pear. The study of the effect of the Scozzolatura technique on the quality of the fruits was determined on 10 accessions (Opuntia ficus-indica form ficus-indica) from different regions of the south of Morocco and cultivated in Errachidia Experimental Station (31.91"N 4.44"W). The evaluation of the quality of the fruits was carried out on the morphological characteristics (length, equatorial width, thickness of the bark, depth of the scar of the receptacle, length of the fruit peduncle, diameter of the fruit crown, volume, weight of the fruit, rind and seeds and the number of seeds), physical (firmness) and physicochemical (color, pH and Brix). Certainly, the yield and the unit weight of the fruits following the application the Scozzolatura were lower comparatively to seasonal fruit production. However, several quality traits were found to be significantly different between the seasonal fruits and the fruits of Scozzolatura. The most important traits are the number and weight of seeds, which have decreased on average by 35.7 and 32.8%, respectively. The thickness of the skin and the length of the fruit peduncle significantly increased on average by 10.4% and 57.0%, respectively after the application of the Scozzolatura. The color of the pulp changed completely after the application of the Scozzolatura. As for the physicochemical character, the pH was reduced, the Brix degree increased by three to five units compared to the seasonal fruit. As a result, the fruits of Scozzolatura were superiorly of better quality. |
