Forage Cactus Research Articles

PRODUCTIVE-ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF FORAGE CACTUS-SORGHUM INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS IRRIGATED WITH SALINE WATER

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and economic performance of a forage cactus and sorghum intercropping system in relation to a forage cactus single cropping system under different irrigation blades with saline water. The study was conducted in Serra Talhada, State of Pernambuco, in a randomized block design, consisting of a factorial arrangement with split-plot parcels (5×2) and four replications. The five plots were the irrigation depths based on the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) (0, 8.75, 17.5, 26.25, and 35% ETo) and the two cropping systems were single forage cactus cropping and cactus intercropped with sorghum. The experiment was conducted for one year, with one forage cactus cycle and two cycles of sorghum. Yields were obtained at the end of the cycles. Economic profitability was analyzed by means of net revenue (NR) and the benefit/cost ratio (B/C), with cactus forage sold as forage or as "seed" and sorghum as forage. Net revenue and B/C simulations were carried out over an eight-year useful life span of the irrigation system. Increasing irrigation depth increased the dry matter yield of the intercropping system because of higher sorghum yield. Based on the NR and B/C ratio values, forage cactus and sorghum produced as forage produced higher economic outcomes in the intercropping system and showed a higher profitability from the 2nd year of implementation of the irrigation system. Forage cactus and sorghum intercropping irrigated with saline water is therefore recommended for forage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

THE INFLUENCE OF CLADODE MORPHOLOGY ON THE CANOPY FORMATION OF FORAGE CACTUS PLANTS

ABSTRACT Here we aimed to evaluate the influence of cladode morphology on the canopy formation of forage cactus plants. The study was carried out in Serra Talhada, the State of Pernambuco, using the IPA Sertânia (IPA), Miúda (MIU), and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) clones, which were submitted to three irrigation depths (2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 mm) and three irrigation intervals (7, 14, or 28 days) from March 2012 to August 2013. Cladode and plant canopy biometric data were obtained during the experimental period. We found that the characteristics of the second and third order cladodes contributed most to the canopy formation of clones of the genus Nopalea (IPA and MIU), whereas, for the genus Opuntia (OEM), the first and third order cladodes contributed most. Overall, we found that the influence of the cladode variables on the canopy growth of forage cactus is more associated with the characteristics of the genus than to the peculiarities of the clones.

Growth, water use and efficiency of forage cactus sorghum intercropping under different water depths

ABSTRACT The effects of the forage cactus sorghum configuration and different irrigation depths on the growth, water use and efficiency of the forage cactus production system were investigated in this study. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Serra Talhada, Pernambuco State, Brazil, between the years 2012 and 2013. Forage cactus was distributed in randomized blocks with factorial scheme and four replicates, in split plots (5 x 2), with five irrigation depths (0, 8.75, 17.5, 26.25 and 35% of the reference evapotranspiration, ET0) and two cropping systems (forage cactus monocropping and forage cactus sorghum intercropping). Crop evapotranspiration was calculated through soil water balance. The ratio between crop and reference evapotranspiration, and land use and water use efficiencies, were estimated. Irrigation depths and the intercropping affected only forage cactus canopy width and cladode biomass. The ratio between crop and reference evapotranspiration increased with the increase of irrigation depths, while the highest water use efficiency based on dry matter occurred at irrigation depths higher than 1,096 mm year-1 in the intercropping (21.8 ± 6.8 kg ha-1 mm-1). Irrigation depths did not affect land use efficiency (0.83). Water depths from 1,096 to 1,202 mm year-1 are recommended in the forage cactus sorghum system.

Environmental variables influencing the expression of morphological characteristics in clones of the forage cactus

The environmental factors that affect the morphological characteristics of different genera of cacti are little known. The aim of this study therefore was to analyse the contribution of environmental variables to growth in cladodes and plant of forage cactus clones of the genera Nopalea and Opuntia. The data used in this study were obtained from an experiment conducted in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2012 and 2013, where the clones ‘IPA Sertânia’ (Nopalea), ‘Miuda’ (Nopalea) and ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (Opuntia) were submitted to different irrigation depths (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm) and fixed irrigation intervals (7, 14 and 28 days). Morphological characteristics of the cladodes and plants and weather variables were obtained over time. Pearson’s correlation, followed by multicollinearity, canonical and path analysis were applied. The minimum temperature, maximum and minimum relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation were the variables that most affected growth in the cactus. The genus Opuntia showed less sensitivity to variations in air temperature compared to the genus Nopalea. The higher intensities of global solar radiation affected clones of the genus Nopalea more than the genus Opuntia. It can be concluded that there are different environmental requirements between forage cacti of the genera Nopalea and Opuntia.

Meteorological variables and morphological characteristics influencing the evapotranspiration of forage cactus

ABSTRACT Despite belonging to the same photosynthetic group (CAM - Crassulacean Acid Metabolism), evapotranspiration of distinct species of forage cactus may respond differently to meteorological variables and depends on its growth dynamics. The objective of this work was to analyze the contribution of meteorological variables and morphological characteristics of cladodes and the plants on the evapotranspiration of forage cactus species of the genus Nopalea and Opuntia. The experiment was conducted in Serra Talhada, State of Pernambuco, where the species ‘IPA Sertânia’ (Nopalea sp.), ‘Miúda’ (Nopalea sp.) and ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (Opuntia sp.) were submitted to different irrigation depths (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm) and intervals (7, 14 and 28 days). Actual evapotranspiration and biometric data of forage cactus species and meteorological variables were obtained between March 2012 and August 2013. Pearson correlation matrix and canonical and path analysis were applied to the data. It was verified that the global solar radiation stood out as the variable that most influenced the reduction of the actual evapotranspiration (ET) of the three species, and the wind velocity as the one that affected the response of ET to the atmospheric demand variation (ET/ETo) of the species ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ and ‘IPA Sertânia’. The increase in the cladode area index implied in the reduction of ET of the latter two species, while the effects of the number of 1st and 2nd order cladodes were the most important for the ‘Miúda'. Hence, forage cactus evapotranspiration depends on the seasonality of the meteorological conditions and the morphological characteristics of its species.

Physicochemical and sensory characterization of meat from Santa Ines sheep fed with cactus forage (Opuntia ficus indica mill)

Forty non-castrated male lambs were randomly assigned to groups fed with cactus forage (0,17.6, 35.3, 53.2 or 71.1%) in place of buffelgrass hay to evaluate the effects onphysicochemical and sensory properties of sheep meat. There was no influence of weightloss by cooking, shear force, moisture, lipids and ash (P>0.05). Effects were observed forprotein (P<0.05), initial lightness (P<0.01) and final color (P<0.05) when increasing the levelof cactus forage in the diet. Reduction in saturated fatty acids was found, mainly myristicacids, and increased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and oleic acids, due tobiohydrogenation. The use of cactus forage in the diet as a replacement for buffelgrasssignificantly influences the content of fatty acids in Santa Ines sheep meat, improving the lipidprofile, without influencing sensory attributes.

Association of morphological and water factors with irrigated forage cactus yield

ABSTRACT This study aimed to understand the relationship of morphological characteristics and actual evapotranspiration of forage cactus clones with their productive capacity under different water regimes. The data used in this study were collected between the years 2012 and 2013, in Serra Talhada, State of Pernambuco. The clones Sertânia IPA - IPA, Miúda - MIU and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana - OEM were submitted to three irrigation depths (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm) and three irrigation intervals (7, 14 and 28 days). Cladode and plant morphology, accumulated actual evapotranspiration and yield were obtained at the moment of harvest. Pearson’s correlation matrix was elaborated and, in the sequence, multicollinearity, canonical and path analysis were applied. There was no correlation of yield with the soil water supply and actual evapotranspiration of the clones (p > 0.05). Forage cactus yield was more associated with peculiarities of the morphological characteristics of the clones than with the different soil water supplies or the crop actual evapotranspiration. However, regardless of the water regime and clone, the vigor of the basal cladodes was highly decisive for the expression of the forage cactus productive capacity.

Forage cactus-sorghum intercropping at different irrigation water depths in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the productive performance, biological efficiency, and the competitive ability of the forage cactus-sorghum intercropping under different irrigation depths with saline water in the Brazilian Semiarid Region. The experiment was carried out in Serra Talhada, in the state of Pernambuco, between 2014 and 2015, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates, and a 5x3 factorial arrangement in split plots, with one year of forage cactus cycle and two years of sorghum cycles. The plots were composed by four irrigation water depths based on the fractions of 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the reference evapotranspiration, besides dry conditions; and the subplots consisted of three cropping systems (single crop of forage cactus, single crop of sorghum, and intercropping of forage cactus-sorghum). The increase of water irrigation depths increased the yields of sorghum in single crop and of the forage cactus-sorghum intercropping. The intercropping system promoted production stability with a higher system productivity index (SPI) for forage cactus-sorghum intercropping (6,279.02 kg ha-1 DM) than for forage cactus in single crop (4,626.98 kg ha-1 DM). The relative density coefficient (12.33) was indicative of the great compatibility of the intercropping system. The forage cactus-sorghum association shows biological advantage and competitiveness capacity, with a higher productive index than their monocultures.

WATER BALANCE IN SOIL CULTIVATED WITH FORAGE CACTUS CLONES UNDER IRRIGATION

ABSTRACT Forage cactus species may belong to different genera (such as Opuntia and Nopalea), which can result in different water dynamics at the biosphere-atmosphere interface. The objective of this study was to analyze the water balance in soil cultivated with forage cactus clones under different conditions of soil water availability in the Brazilian semi-arid. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Serra Talhada, State of Pernambuco. The crop was subjected to nine treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement of 3x3. The plots were composed of three water availability conditions, with the application of a water depth of 7.5 mm at intervals of 7, 14, and 28 days, and the subplots consisted of three forage cactus clones (IPA Sertânia, Miúda, and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana). The soil water balance (SWB) method was applied, and the ET/ETo ratio was estimated (ET is the actual crop evapotranspiration, and ETo is the reference evapotranspiration) at intervals of 14 days; the results were represented in nine periods of 28 days. There was a difference between SWB components along the cycle and between irrigation conditions (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, ET and rainfall were the most important components in SWB when irrigation was performed. There was no difference in water consumption between forage cactus clones belonging to different genera, resulting in an average of 1.50 mm day-1. The ET/ETo ratio had low magnitude (0.29 ± 0.12), indicating that the ET was more dependent on the water regime than on the atmospheric demand.

Soil moisture in forage cactus plantations with improvement practices for their resilience

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated soil moisture (θ) in forage cactus plantations under resilience practices such as irrigation, mulching and intercropping with sorghum. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with five water availability conditions (0, 8.75, 17.5, 26.25 and 35% of the reference evapotranspiration), and three planting systems: forage cactus exclusive system (PE), forage cactus with mulch (PC) and intercropping between forage cactus and sorghum (PS). Water content was measured until a depth of 0.60 m. Meteorological data were recorded between June 2012 and June 2013. Water content was not affected by different resilience practices and the variation coefficient was low to medium (4.0 to 22.1%). The temporal variation of soil moisture was more affected by the changes in rainfall, while the physical properties (soil density, porosity and grain size) were decisive in the vertical variation. It was concluded that periods with rainfall events favor the alternation of practices to improve forage cactus resilience (irrigation, mulch and intercropping).

Performance of sheep fed forage cactus with total water restriction

SUMMARY A lack of water in livestock production can limit the performance of the animals; therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of water restriction on the growth performance of sheep that were fed forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera). Forty-two male sheep were used, with an average age and weight of ±100 days and 18.75 ± (2,05) kg , respectively, and they were fed diets containing concentrate, mineral mixture and three levels of substitution (30, 50 and 70%) of Tifton hay with forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera). The animals were slaughtered when they reached 32 kg (± 1 kg) of body weight or 90 days. The experimental design was a 3x2 factorial arrangement, forage cactus (30, 50, 70%) x water (with or without water) plus a control group (n=6). Variables were analyzed using Tukey and Dunnett's test at 5% with PROC GLM in SAS software. Voluntary water intake and dry matter intake (DMI) decreased with the inclusion of forage cactus; however, preformed water intake and total water intake increased with the inclusion of forage cactus. Water restriction and its interaction with the treatments had no effect on animal performance. Daily weight gain was higher for the diets with 30 and 50%forage cactus inclusion, at 174 and 155 g, respectively, compared with 90 g for the control diet. Cactus, therefore, can be used as a food supplement and water resource.

Hydrodynamic changes of the soil-cactus interface, effective actual evapotranspiration and its water efficiency under irrigation

ABSTRACT The knowledge on soil water dynamics is the basis of crop water management. The soil water balance (SWB) method is used for this purpose. However, its application in cactus may lead to misinterpretation in water efficiency analysis, since it does not consider the amount of water retained in the plant (WRP). This study aimed to evaluate SWB applicability, hydrodynamic changes and water efficiency of forage cactus clones under irrigation. The clones ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (OEM), ‘IPA Sertânia’ (IPA) and ‘Miúda’ (MIU) were submitted to irrigation depths (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm) and frequencies (7, 14 and 28 days), in Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil, between March 2012 and August 2013. The SWB was applied, by adding the WRP in the estimate of the effective actual evapotranspiration (ETrEF). The water efficiency indicators were calculated. The actual evapotranspiration on SWB (ETrSWB) overestimated ETrEF and, like other SWB components, it was affected by the factors irrigation depth, frequency and clone. The clone OEM is the most efficient, due to the use of the WRP, while MIU leads to highest gross economic returns for sale of cladodes as seed. As conclusion, the application of the soil water balance method in areas cultivated with cactus species must be accompanied by WRP.

Phenophases and cutting time of forage cactus under irrigation and cropping systems

ABSTRACT Management practices can affect the phenology and, consequently, the harvest time and crop production level of forage cactus. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of irrigation depths and cropping systems on the phenophases and cutting time of the forage cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plots and four replications. Irrigation depths based on reference evapotranspiration (8.75 %, 17.5 %, 26.25 % and 35 % ETo) and a control (0 % ETo) made up the plots, while cropping systems (exclusive cropping, exclusive cropping on mulch and forage cactus-sorghum intercropping) were distributed in the subplots. Cladode emission morphogenesis was used to define the phenological phases, while the extrapolation of the monthly dry matter accumulation rate was applied to obtain the cutting time. The use of irrigation depths significantly increased the phenophase II (higher emission of second-order daughter cladodes), decreasing the phenophase III, associated with third-order daughter cladodes. The phenophase III was lower in the exclusive cropping on mulch and forage cactus-sorghum intercropping systems, when compared to the exclusive cropping system. The ideal cutting time for irrigated forage cactus is 19 months, regardless of the cropping system. The exclusive cropping on mulch and forage cactus-sorghum intercropping systems significantly increased the monthly forage dry matter accumulation rate, with an earlier cutting time for the forage cactus-sorghum intercropping system (17 months).

Características agronômicas e composição química da palma forrageira em função de diferentes sistemas de plantio

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar as características agronômicas e composição química em relação a diferentes sistemas de plantio da cultura da Palma Forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) P. Mill). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos completos casualisados com arranjo fatorial 2x2x2 com 4 repetições. Os fatores corresponderam a plantas expostas ao sol ou sombreadas (por plantas de Spondias spp.), posição de plantio do cladódio da Palma Forrageira (face larga voltada para leste/oeste ou norte/sul) e com ou sem adubação orgânica com esterco de bovino de corte. A Palma Forrageira foi plantada com espaçamento de 1,0m x 0,5m em Quixadá, Ceará, Brasil. O experimento foi conduzido no período de novembro de 2003 a novembro de 2007, sendo realizado dois corte. Foi avaliada a produção de massa verde a cada dois anos e a produção de massa seca. A composição química foi avaliada no último corte. O sombreamento com Cajá (Spondias ssp.) com 1,5m de altura promoveu redução na produção de massa verde da palma forrageira, fato não observado no segundo corte para massa seca. No segundo corte a palma que recebeu adubação orgânica obteve maior produção de massa verde com 60,48t ha-1. A posição de plantio do cladódio de palma forrageira influenciou a quantidade de fibra em detergente ácido. A palma forrageira deve ser plantada sem sombreamento, com direcionamento da parte mais larga do cladódio no plantio leste/oeste e com adubação orgânica de esterco bovino.

Production, Optimisation and Partial Characterisation of Enzymes from Filamentous Fungi Using Dried Forage Cactus Pear as Substrate

The forage cactus pear (Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp.) has been sub-utilised, mostly, for ruminant feed during long periods of drought. In this study, Nopalea cochenillifera was investigated as an alternative substrate for the production of xylanases and β-glucosidases by Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus sp. The solid-state fermentation of N. cochenillifera by Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus sp. were optimised for xylanases and β-glucosidases production using a central composite face-centered (CCF) experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM), considering the variables water activity, temperature and time. The enzymes obtained were also evaluated for their pH, temperature and storage stability. The theoretical optimum cultivation conditions were an initial water activity of 0.865 at 30 °C for 72 h. The equivalent enzymatic activities (U g−1) obtained were 355.56 (A. niger xylanase), 3456.91 (A. niger β-glucosidase), 204.57 (Rhizopus sp. xylanase) and 1630.07 (Rhizopus sp. β-glucosidase). The obtained enzymes presented good stability (~80%) at <60 °C and pH values from 4.0 to 7.0. The forage cactus is a potential alternative for microbial cultivation instead of synthetic substrates of elevated costs.

Agrometeorological research on forage cactus and its advances in Brazil

Agrometeorological research on forage cactus and its advances in Brazil

Modification of the original model of the FAO Agroecological Zone and application in the analysis of the productive efficiency of the cactus forage in the state of Bahia: 1st approach

O modelo da Zona Agroecologica (ZAE) da FAO foi elaborado para plantas tipo C3 e C4, e ate entao nao foi aplicado para plantas MAC (Metabolismo Acido das Crassulaceas). O desempenho do modelo ZAE foi testado, no presente estudo, na estimativa da produtividade da palma forrageira no estado da Bahia. O modelo foi parametrizado por meio de dados experimentais. Duas modificacoes do modelo foram efetuadas: a primeira pela alteracao do calculo do CIAC - coeficiente de correcao do indice de area do cladodio e a segunda do CR - coeficiente de correcao da respiracao. Avaliou-se o uso das funcoes de plantas C3 de inverno, C3 de verao e C4 na estimativa da produtividade bruta, em conjunto com e sem a modificacao dos parâmetros CIAC e CR. A partir do modelo calibrado, estimou-se a quebra da produtividade e eficiencia produtiva da palma no Estado. O modelo original ZAE apresentou baixo desempenho na simulacao da produtividade da palma. A modificacao do CIAC e a adocao das funcoes de plantas C3 de inverno promoveram os melhores resultados na estimativa da produtividade. Os municipios situados no Centro e Centro Sul da Bahia apresentam as maiores eficiencia produtiva (> 6 kg MS m-3). A B S T R A C T The FAO Agro-Ecological Zone model (ZAE) was developed for C3 and C4 plants, and has not been applied to MAC plants (Crassulaceae Acid Metabolism). The performance of the model ZAE was tested in the present study in the estimation of forage cactus productivity in the state of Bahia. The model was parameterized using experimental data. Two modifications of the model were carried out: the first by alteration of the calculation of CCAI - correction coefficient of the cladode area index and the second of the CR - coefficient of correction of respiration. The use of the C3 winter, summer C3 and C4 plant functions in crude productivity estimation was evaluated in conjunction with and without modification of the CCAI and CR parameters. From the calibrated model, it was estimated the productivity and productive efficiency of the palm in the State. The original ZAE model presented low performance in the simulation of palm productivity. The modification of the CCAI and the adoption of the functions of winter C3 plants promoted the best results in the estimation of productivity. The municipalities located in the Center and Center South of Bahia presents the highest productive efficiency (> 6 kg MS m-3). Key-words: Cactaceae, Calibration, Modelling, Opuntia sp , Yield

Genetic diversity of 33 forage cactus pear accessions based on principal component analysis

The present research was undertaken to assess genetic diversity of 33 forage cactus pearaccessions introduced from different countries for their suitability in the existing fodderproduction system in Arabian Peninsula countries including Oman. These accessions wereevaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications for two consecutive years2014 and 2015 at Agriculture Research Center, Rumais in Oman. The characters cladodegreen and dry matter yields and their related traits plant height (cm), number of cladodes andcladode weight were considered for study. The results of principal component analysis (PCA)indicated that of the total four components, the first two components PC1 and PC2 accountedfor 97.65 and 2.27%, respectively which in combination contributed to 99.92% of the totalvariation among characters studied in fodder cactus pear accessions whereas remaining twocomponents PC3 (0.06%) and PC4 (0.02 %) contributed a meagre 0.08% to the total variation.The first principal component had high positive loading for only green matter yield with thehighest value of 0.993 whereas second principal component had highest loading for plantheight (0.998) in contributing to the diversity. However, PC3 and PC4 were accounted by higherpositive loading in respect of dry matter yield (0.853) and number of cladodes (0.855). Theresults of correlation analysis indicated that of 10 possible correlations from five charactersstudied, seven correlations which were found significant (p&lt;0.05) were also positive in natureof association. The scatter of accessions based on PC1 and PC2 scores resulted in groupingthem into six clusters consisting of accession ranging from 1 to 9. These results could beapplied in either selecting higher green matter yielding accessions from high yielding groups torecommend for either general cultivation or planning and execution of future breeding programfor higher forage productivity in cactus by selecting accessions from different clusters asparents for hybridization.

0643 Compost inclusion level in soil on chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of native and improved cactus forage varieties

0643 Compost inclusion level in soil on chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of native and improved cactus forage varieties

Inclusion of branches and fruits of Jurema preta and bran and the diet of Santa Inês sheeps- A review

The sheep industry is an important activity in several continents, adapting itself to a wide variety of climas. O Brazilian Northeast is the region with the largest herd sheep in Brazil, but most animals have no breed standard is defined and created extensively and without proper feed management practices, and reproductive health. Moreover, the abundance of forage in four to five months of the wet season contrasts with the lack of quality food in the pasture during hot, dry season, which stretches for seven to eight months of the year and is an obstacle to the viability of livestock in the region. The forage plants native to the savanna are essential for the sheep industry in the Northeast, since they are adapted to the harsh climate of the region and participate in the diet of animals on pasture throughout the year. However, there is the possibility to collect and store some of this grass in full vegetation period for providing the animals at the time of food shortages, in the form of hay or silage. The jurema preta is a caatinga woody legume that is highly resistant to drought, is one of the first species to colonize degraded areas, and their fine branches and seeds are eaten fresh or naturally fenadas when they ripen and fall to the ground during the dry season, providing a food enjoyed by ruminants. The palm is a cactus forage adapted to hot, dry conditions in northeastern Brazil, supporting long periods of drought due to their physiology characterized by a photosynthetic process that results in huge water savings. Has high digestibility and low fiber content, despite the drawback of low dry matter and protein. It can be also used in the form of bran, which facilitates their storage and mixing in feed. Given the above, it is necessary to study the potential of these alternative foods in the diet of sheep, with the aim of improving and making the system sustainable production of sheep breeding and farming in the Northeast of Brazil.