Effect of NP Fertilizing on Fruit Yield and Fruit Quality of Cactus Pear

The aim of this work was to study the effect of NP fertilizing on fruit yield and fruit quality of cactus pear 'Moussa' grown in Agadir area. Treatments of fertilization used are (in kg/ha): T1: 0N-0P, T2: 0N-80P, T3: 40N-40P, T4: 60N-0P and T5: 60N-80P. They are applied in April 2011 and repeated in February 2012. Obtained results showed that fruit yield is higher in treatments with N fertilizer and fruit size is important in treatments with P fertilizer. In the second year (2012), fruit yield is for 32 kg/plant in T5, 23 in T4, 22 in T3, 20 in T2 and 17 in T1. Fruits of T5 have a better size with 176.01 g fw. They are followed by those of T2 with 160.24 g in weight. Fruits of T3 (150.48 g) and T4 (148.39 g) come afterwards and those of T1 are in the last row with 120.67 g. In the first year (2011), fruit yield is for 20 kg/plant in T5, 18 in T4, 17 in T1, 15 in T2 and 14 in T3. Fruit weight is higher in T5 with 146.04 g. Fruits of T2 and T3 are in the second row with an almost similar weight of 141.79 g in T2 and 141.59 g in T3. They are followed by those of T4 with 134.35 g and fruits of T1 are in the last row with 132.48 g in weight. Chemical analysis of fruits showed that the rate of juice in fruits is different between treatments and years of observations. The pH of juice in fertilized treatments and the content of fruits in total sugars in the all treatments decreased in the second year in comparison with the first year. Dry matter of juice in the all treatments decreased also in the second year.