Can spineless forage cactus be the queen of forage crops in dryland areas?

Filho, Rubem Ramos Rocha; Santos, Djalma Cordeiro dos; Véras, Antônia Sherlânea Chaves; Siqueira, Michelle Christina Bernardo de; Novaes, Luciano Patto; Mora-Luna, Robert Emilio; Monteiro, Carolina Corrêa de Figueiredo; Ferreira, M. A.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104426

Cited by 44 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…High dietary levels of rapid fermentation carbohydrates can result in lower ruminal pH, reducing fiber degradation due to the decreased population or activity of the cellulolytic microorganisms [34], for which pH values between 6.00 and 6.10 are considered a threshold [35]. The lower NDF digestibility observed when GC was provided is in accordance with the findings of Rocha Filho et al [3], who observed lower NDF digestibility for GC when five genotypes of cactus were evaluated: GC, MC, SC, Orelha de Elefante Africana (Opuntia), and OEMC in sheep diets at 400 g/kg DM. Moreover, they observed lower ruminal pH when GC was provided, with pH values between 6.10 and 6.26 after feeding, despite NFC intake being similar among the cactus genotypes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…The usage of forage cactus has proved essential for the maintenance of livestock activity in these regions, as it has adaptive characteristics which ensure that its development progresses under arid conditions [2]. In fact, the forage cactus is deemed to be the queen of forage crops in dryland areas due to its high nutritional value and the energy and water content produced per unit area, compared with conventional crops recommended for semiarid regions (e.g., sorghum silage, buffel grass, and corn silage) [3]. Additionally, due to its high moisture content, forage cactus also meets most of the nutritional needs of the animals, minimizing a major livestock problem in these regions [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck)—The Best Forage Cactus Genotype for Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows in Semiarid Regions

Filho

Santos

Véras

et al. 2021

Animals

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This study aimed to investigate the effects on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield (MY) and composition, milk fatty acids profile, and microbial protein synthesis caused by feeding lactating dairy cows four different forage cactus genotypes. Eight Girolando cows (5/8 Holstein × 3/8 Gyr), weighing 490 ± 69.0 kg (means ± standard deviation), and producing 15.5 ± 1.0 kg/d of milk during pretrial were distributed to two contemporaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares. The cows were fed a total mixed ration composed of sorghum silage (385 g/kg of dry matter (DM)), concentrated mix (175 g/kg DM), and forage cactus (440 g/kg DM). The experimental treatments consisted of different cactus genotypes, such as Gigante cactus (GC), Miúda cactus (MC), IPA Sertânia cactus (SC), and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana cactus (OEMC). The feeding of MC provided a higher intake of DM, organic matter (OM), and total digestible nutrients, as well as higher MY, energy-corrected milk, and microbial protein synthesis in comparison with those resulting from the other genotypes tested. The GC promoted lower DM and OM, and the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. The cows fed with OEMC showed lower MY and milk protein yield and content, and higher unsaturated over saturated fatty acid ratio in milk. Miúda forage cactus increased nutrient intake, digestibility of DM and OM, and microbial synthesis without impairing the milk fatty acid profile.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck)—The Best Forage Cactus Genotype for Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows in Semiarid Regions

Filho

Santos

Véras

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…Gigante 1 Harvest 2 years Chemical 11.9 [37] Manual labor (summer weeding and hoe) Due to drought resistance and high efficiency in rainwater use, forage cactus planting is neglected in terms of soil fertility; which is a mistake. In semiarid regions and adequate climatic conditions, it is an unbeatable crop in terms of productivity and quality as an energy feed, for that it can be called The Queen of Forages in the Semiarid Region [43]. So, it must occupy the best fertile soil on the property.…”

Section: Clone Control Type Dmp (T/ha) Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, they are equal to the potential for ME production/ha of forage cactus, which was 55,434 Mcal/ha (23,690 kg DM; 2.34 Mcal/kg DM). The average productivity of the forage cactus species was considered in the paper of [43]. The ME values of the various forages were taken from the Brazilian Tables of Feed Composition for Cattle [73].…”

Section: Spinelles Cactus As Forage and Desertification Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spinless Forage Cactus: The Queen of Forage Crops in Semi Arid Regions

Ferreira¹,

Novaes²,

Angulo³

et al. 2022

Grasses and Grassland - New Perspectives

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Forage cactus is a perennial crop, which has been widely exploited for feeding ruminants in the semiarid region of different countries around the world. The main objective of this chapter is to describe the use and importance of spineless cactus as forage, desertification mitigation, source of water for animals and a source of income for producers in semiarid regions. The main species explored in Brazil are Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp., due to characteristics such as resistance to pests, productivity, water-use efficiency and demand for soil fertility. The productivity of the species in a region will depend on its morphological characteristics, plant spacing, planting systems and its capacity to adapt to climatic and soil conditions. In other parts of the world, cactus species are the most cosmopolitan and destructive among invasive plants. However, the use of spineless forage cactus in areas where it can develop normally and may become the basis for ruminants’ feed would increase the support capacity production systems. Thus, specifically for Brazil’s semiarid region these species can make the difference as forage for animal feeding, cultivated as monoculture or intercropped, for soil conservation and desertification mitigation, source of water for animals, preservation of the Caatinga biome and be a potential source of income for producers if cultivated as vegetable for nutritional properties and medicinal derivative of fruits and cladodes for exports.

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“…Reduction of the need for off-farm manure or chemical fertilizers: Nyambati et al, 2006;Douxchamps et al, 2010Douxchamps et al, , 2014Schultze-Kraft et al, 2018;Boddey et al, 2020 C. Decreased use of chemical weed and pest control: Xuan et al, 2006;Njeru et al, 2020D. Decreased water requirements: Ríos et al, 2006Nefzaoui et al, 2014;Mayer and Cushman, 2019;Rocha Filho et al, 2021…”

Section: Input Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Can spineless forage cactus be the queen of forage crops in dryland areas?

Cited by 44 publications

References 31 publications

Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck)—The Best Forage Cactus Genotype for Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows in Semiarid Regions

Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck)—The Best Forage Cactus Genotype for Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows in Semiarid Regions

Spinless Forage Cactus: The Queen of Forage Crops in Semi Arid Regions

Table_1.DOCX

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