ISHS Acta Horticulturae 581: IV International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal
THE CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA SPP.) IN MOROCCO: MAIN SPECIES AND CULTIVAR CHARACTERIZATION |
| Authors: | M. Arba, M. Cherif Benismail, M. Mokhtari |
| Keywords: | rural development, botanical, Morocco |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.581.7 |
| Abstract:
Cactus pear cactus is commonly used in Morocco as a hedge plant around field crops or to protect houses and villages. It has a great potential of edible fruits and forage for stock (as a fodder plant) that vary from one ecotype to the other and more from one single plant to the other. Within the framework of the present study, we were able to distinguish three species: 1. Opuntia schumannii Weber, 2. Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck and 3. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Advanced morphological and botanical survey within the late specie, allowed us to distinguish four cultivars that lack spines: ‘Moussa’, ‘Aïssa’, ‘El Akria’ and ‘El Bayda’. The main characteristics of their fruits and branches have been described and compared to those of many identified specimens. Average yield of the cactus pear in Morocco, vary from one year to another and in relation to the amount of rainfall, from 15 to 120 kg per plant. The return benefit for a fruit production that can be achieved is about 30.000,00 DH (3000,00 US $). Only 10 to 15% of it is consumed fresh or dried at the rural or grower location. Fruit post harvest losses were assessed in average to 5 to 10%. | |
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