ISHS Acta Horticulturae 582: International Symposium on Mediterranean Horticulture: Issues and Prospects
THE USE OF CACTUS PEAR AS A FRUIT CROP IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN |
| Authors: | P. Inglese, G. Gugliuzza |
| Keywords: | Opuntia ficus-indica, arid areas, ecology |
| Abstract:
Cactus pear was introduced in Spain at the end of the 15th century and from there spread over the whole Mediterranean Basin. Since then it has been used for almost 500 years as a defensive hedge, as a fruit crop and and as a source of forage or fodder crop for livestock. It can also play a key role in erosion control and land reha-bilitation, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones, and as a shelter and feed resource for wildlife. This paper briefly discusses some aspects of cactus pear ecology in rela-tion to fruit production for the arid areas of the mediterranean basin. | |
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