ISHS Acta Horticulturae 811: VI International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal
MORTALITY INDEX OF FORAGE CACTUS IN THE SEMIARID OF PARAIBA STATE - BRAZIL |
| Authors: | A. Torres Sales, A. Pereira de Andrade, M.L. de Mello Vieira Leite, D. Soares da Silva, B. Leal Viana, E. Gonçalves dos Santos |
| Keywords: | adaptability, cacti, Nopalea, Opuntia |
| Abstract:
Forage cactus is the main forage resource in the semi-arid region of Paraiba state, Brazil; however, the local cultivars show distinct adaptation to local conditions, influencing their survival rate. This work was conducted to evaluate the percentage of mortality of eight varieties of Opuntia species (Redonda, Gigante, IPA 20, Copena V1, Copena F1, and Italiana) and Nopalea (Miúda and Alagoas) in the edaphic and climatic conditions of the Cariri region, Paraiba. The experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement in randomized block design. It was utilized a 8 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme, using eight varieties of cactus forage, with and without organic and mineral fertilization, with five replications. The research was carried out in the Experimental Station of São João do Cariri-PB, of the Universidade Federal da Paraiba, between August 2004 and January 2007. Twelve months after planting no differences were observed (P<0.05) among the Opuntia species varieties and the largest mortality was observed for the “Miúda” variety, however, 30 months following planting operation, greater mortality was observed for the Nopalea species (“Miúda”, 18%, and “Alagoas”, 12%). In the Opuntia species, mortality of Redonda variety oscillated from 17% (without fertilization) to 6% (with organic-mineral fertilization), with an average of 14%; mortality of Copena V1 variety fluctuated between 5% (without fertilization) to 3% (with mineral fertilization), with an average of 3%. For other varieties in this species, the average mortality was 6% for “Gigante”, 8% for Copena F1, 5% for IPA 3, and 2% for “Italiana”. Mortality rate superior to 20% requires control. | |
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