‘Gigante’ cactus pear cultivated at different population densities in a mechanizable arrangement

Varley A Fonseca,Evilasio Dos S Souza,Sérgio L R Donato,Paulo E R Donato,Luzinaldo C Costa,João A Da Silva

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v24n11p769-775

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cactus pear is a crop adapted to the climatic conditions of the Brazilian semiarid region, so it has contributed to the socioeconomic development of this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of ‘Gigante’ cactus pear cultivated at different population densities in a mechanizable arrangement. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with six population densities: 22,857; 34,286; 51,428; 62,857; 80,000 and 95,000 plants ha-1 and four repetitions. The following variables were evaluated: plant height, number of cladodes, cladode length, cladode width and cladode area index, green and dry matter yields, extraction/export of nutrients and soil chemical characteristics. Increase in population density in a mechanizable arrangement decreases the number of cladodes and increases the cladode area index. The maximum green and dry matter yield of cactus pear cultivated in arrangement that allows mechanization is expected with populations of 69,111.79 and 64,445.91 plants ha-1, respectively. Maximum values of extraction/export of nutrients in cactus pear tissue are expected at intermediate population densities (62,721.52-74,741.93 plants ha-1). Soil potential acidity has maximum value with 64,525.51 plants ha-1.

Highlights

IntroductionCactus pear yield is still considered low, with improvements in recent years (Barros et al, 2016)
Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) has contributed to the socioeconomic development of the Brazilian semi-arid region, as it is a forage crop adapted to the climatic conditions of the region, with tolerance to long periods of drought and high efficiency in water use (Bispo et al, 2007; Pinheiro et al, 2014; Silva et al, 2015).Cactus pear yield is still considered low, with improvements in recent years (Barros et al, 2016)
Cactus pear is a crop adapted to the climatic conditions of the Brazilian semiarid region, so it has contributed to the socioeconomic development of this region

Summary

Introduction

Cactus pear yield is still considered low, with improvements in recent years (Barros et al, 2016). As the production system and the use of cactus pear are still characterized by low adoption of technologies (Silva et al, 2012), it is necessary to improve the cultivation techniques to obtain better production indices. Cultivation at dense spacing has been used more recently In these situations, cultural practices and harvest are hampered, which increases labor costs. Cultural practices and harvest are hampered, which increases labor costs In addition to these aspects, in this case, there is a greater amount of nutrients extracted from the soil, so greater caution with fertilization is required (Teles et al, 2002)

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion