Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of Pilosocereus gounellei using different methods of spine removal and plant storage. A total of 600 P. gounellei cacti were randomly selected in 10 hectares of Caatinga. The experimental design was completely randomised using a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement and three replicates. The variables evaluated were the storage conditions (under trees; and ventilated storage facilities) and four types of spine removal techniques assessed 31 days after storage (fresh plants with spines [control]; use of flamethrowers before storage; slash-and-burn [“coivara”] before storage; and use of flamethrowers after storage). The P. gounellei subjected to slash-and-burn during the cladode harvest (cutting) process deteriorated rapidly and exhibited a smooth consistency; dark colour. The burning process resulted in increased in situ degradability of dry matter compared with the control treatment. The results of treatment 4 were similar to those of the control treatment regarding the preservation of the nutritional properties of P. gounellei. Therefore, P. gounellei can be harvested and stored fresh for 31 days without losing their nutritional properties, and spines should be removed using flamethrowers after the storage period, i.e., when using the plants as livestock feed.
Highlights
Caatinga vegetation is the main source of forage for livestock in the semi-arid region in Northeast Brazil (Santos et al, 2010), the main cultivated forages are not adapted to the environment or have low yields
It is important to note that P. gounellei cacti should be used as a last resort because of its slow growth
No significant differences were observed for DM, AC, crude protein (CP), EE, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), Total carbohydrate (TC), total dry matter (TDM), non-fibrous carbohydrate content (NFC), and organic material (OM) between storage sites
Summary
Caatinga vegetation is the main source of forage for livestock in the semi-arid region in Northeast Brazil (Santos et al, 2010), the main cultivated forages are not adapted to the environment or have low yields This way, native cacti Pilosocereus gounellei and Cereus jamacaru stand out in relation to these introduced species and are used during prolonged periods of drought as strategic forage feed for ruminants in ruminant feed (Silva et al, 2013). Silva et al (2011) planted 10,000 P. gounellei cacti per hectare and obtained a mean productivity of 1120kg of dry matter per hectare 6.5 years after planting This forage resource, when combined with other food sources, results in good livestock production in these regions
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