Pitaya is one of the fruit species whose demand has increased in recent years due to the numerous health benefits and lucrative price of the fruit and its by-products. In Europe, the Iberian Peninsula and other Mediterranean countries are the ones with favorable climatic conditions for its cultivation. This document describes much of the history of pitaya in the Iberian Peninsula and the difficulties related to its cultivation. A bibliographical survey was carried out on the culture of pitaya in the world, focusing on the edaphoclimatic requirements, and on the possibility of this becoming a consolidated crop in the Iberian Peninsula. The relatively low water requirement of pitaya makes this crop sustainable among crops that require irrigation. In addition, we provide a perspective for use and research of this emerging crop. There has been an exponential growth of scientific publications on pitaya in the last decade; however, much more needs to be researched to know how to increase productivity as well as the sensory quality of fruits in different regions. This sustainable crop is a good option to diversify fruit production in the Iberian Peninsula.

CARACTERÍSTICAS MORFOLÓGICAS E PRODUTIVAS DO RABANETE SOB DIFERENTES LÂMINAS DE IRRIGAÇÃO - DOI: 10.7127/rbai.v11n100513

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.