November 12, 2025 | International Journal of Plant Biology |
The study conducted by Utah State University, USA, and the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, examined the role of shading as a management strategy to reduce solar stress and improve the performance of Hylocereus costaricensis grown under semi-arid conditions. In arid and semi-arid regions, excessive solar radiation is a major constraint for cactus fruit production, often limiting photosynthesis, yield, and fruit quality.
Field-grown plants were evaluated under two shading intensities (35% and 50%) and compared with plants grown under full sunlight. The results showed that shading markedly enhanced nighttime COâ‚‚ assimilation and fruit productivity, with both parameters increasing substantially under shaded conditions relative to the control. Shading also influenced fruit biochemical composition. Principal component analysis indicated that shaded plants accumulated higher levels of skin betalains and phenolic compounds, while non-shaded plants showed greater accumulation of carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, and total sugars, reflecting stronger photoprotective responses.
Overall, moderate shading between 35% and 50% improved photosynthetic efficiency, yield, and postharvest quality, particularly through enhanced pigment accumulation. The findings demonstrate that shade management is an effective agro-technique for mitigating high solar radiation stress and supporting sustainable production of Hylocereus species in dryland environments.
