Abstract
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive potential and mineral composition of the forage cactus IPA-Sertânia (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck). This species was analyzed both in monoculture and intercropped with leucaena [Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit.] and gliricidia [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq. Steud.], and was assessed with different sources of manure (cattle, sheep, goat, and broiler litter) serving as fertilizer. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of the Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco in Caruaru, PE, Brazil. Treatments were allocated in a split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. Main plots consisted of cropping systems, while the split-plots were dedicated to manure sources. Cactus harvest was carried out after two years of regrowth. Response variables included both production and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. No differences were observed for cactus production between the cropping systems, with an average value of 22.1Mg dry matter ha-1 2 years-1. In the intercropped systems, greater proximity to the legumes increased the production of the cactus in the treatments with the cattle and sheep manure, and increased the concentrations of P, K, and Mg, but not of N. The introduction of tree legumes, along with the application of manure, contributes to an increase in production and nutrient concentration of IPA-Sertânia cactus.
Highlights
The spineless cactus IPA Sertânia (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) is characterized by its tolerance to arid conditions, high water use efficiency, increased biomass production potential, and resistance to the prickly pear cochineal (LOPES et al, 2010)
The primary plot consisted of the following cropping systems: IPA-Sertânia intercropped with leucaena, IPA-Sertânia intercropped with gliricidia, and the cactus in its isolated form
Given the passage of five years after establishing the intercropping, these results demonstrated that both the sources and the quantity of utilized manure were adequate, to the effect that the residual influence of the manure reduced the competitive effect of the legumes on the cactus
Summary
The spineless cactus IPA Sertânia (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) is characterized by its tolerance to arid conditions, high water use efficiency, increased biomass production potential, and resistance to the prickly pear cochineal (LOPES et al, 2010). It is commonly used in the semiarid region of the Northeast Region of Brazil in order to increase forage production and guarantee feed for herds during periods when less is available. Its cladodes are rich in energy, water, minerals, and vitamins; it has a low crude protein concentration of 4.8% and a low concentration of Approved 11.19.18 Returned CR-2018-0324.R2 by the author.
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