Ariocarpus

Abstract
The research project for the selection of cacti for highland cultivation had been
studying for 3 experiments as follow :
1) Effect of gravel covering on cacti seed sowing consisting of 19 genera, 139
species, totally 162 varieties was studied. It was found that non gravel-covered method
gave rise to quicker seed germination and higher percentage than gravel-covered method.
However, the gravel-covered method gave higher survival percentage of seedling and
more effective in controlling weed growth than non gravel-covered method.
2) Growth and development of cacti seedlings cultivated on highland was
studied. It was found that the cacti seedlings could be successfully growing and gave high
quality plant with a true-to-variety characteristics and also flowering for 106 varieties.
Furthermore, there was initiated study for cacti breeding program including with
interspecific and intergeneric crossing totally than 30 hybrids.
3) The topic to find the suitable growing media and fertilization for the cultivation
of Ariocarpus seedlings was conducted. It was found out that the seedlings were best
grown on Cactus1 media comprising of coarse sand(10) : rice husk charcoal(4) :coconut
coir(2) : loam(2) : fermented organic matter(1) together with liquid fertilizer or with slow
released fertilizer. In addition to the above result, there was a possibility to grow in loamless
compost for further development of cacti culturing on the hydroponics system.
4) The experiment to find the suitable media compositions and nutrient solutions
for hydroponic growing as substrate culture method was studies. It was found that the
various types of media compositions could be approach to use for cultivation but the media
comprising with peat moss or coconut coir without adding of coarse sand gave best
growth. However, the nutrient solutions gave different result including with cacti species.
The golden barrel cactus and Brasilicactus were gave better growth in higher nitrogen level
but the Thelocactus were non responding on nitrogen levels.
5) In vitro seed germination and development of dragon fruit (Hylocereus
undatus) was studied. It was found out that seeds were rapidly germinated on low sucrose
concentration medium, whereas high sucrose level was needed for seedlings growth. The