Evaluation of Application Frequency and Levels of Nitrogen on Cactus Pear

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dick under different frequencies and levels of nitrogen application (N). Three nitrogen fertilizer application frequencies (1 time year-1, 6 times year-1 and 12 times year-1) and four nitrogen levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 kg of N ha-1 year-1) were evaluated one year after the planting, in a randomized blocks design with 12 replications. There was no interaction (P>0.05) between application frequencies and nitrogen levels. The number of cladodes, and the green and dry forage mass yields of the cactus pear were higher with the application frequency of 6 times year-1, presenting 18.4 ± 2.0 cladodes per plant, 151.0 ± 17.8 and 9.8 ± 1.0 t ha-1, respectively. The yield doubled with the application of 400 kg N ha-1, when compared to the treatment with no nitrogen application. With the nitrogen application frequency of 1 time year-1 the crude protein and neutral detergent fiber contents were higher, presenting 4.0 ± 0.1% and 33.8 ± 0.5%, respectively. When nitrogen is applied 6 times year-1 it provides higher growth and yield, but lower protein and fiber contents. The level 400 kg N ha-1 provides higher yield and lower nitrogen use efficiency.

Nitrogen fertilization strategies in the cultivation of Cactus pear in Brazilian Savannah localities

“…The nitrogen fertilization frequency of 30/60 days influenced the agronomic responses of the cactus pear, resulting in higher values for locality 2 (Riacho Frio) regarding the FMP, DMP, WUE, WAC, and CCAP variables (Table 4). Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development (2021) 23: 165-179 The effects observed for the productive variables are possibly due to the effects of nitrogen in increasing the cellular content, potentializing growth and cell multiplication, increasing the WAC and WUE, as already observed in previous studies (Nascimento et al 2020). The highest values found for these variables in Locality 2 can be explained by the influence that the cultivation environment causes on the biomass production of this crop, as described by Edvan et al (2020) in their study with the environmental adequacy of cactus pear varieties.…”

“…This fact can be explained by the increase in the number of cladodes due to the greater nitrogen availability. Thus, the higher need for nutrient translocation to new cladodes (drains), influences the characteristics related to the development of the cladodes (Lemaire e Chapman, 1996;Nascimento et al, 2020) The nitrogen doses promoted an increasing linear effect (P<0.01) for the number of cladodes, length, perimeter, height, FMP, DMP, WUE, and CCAP (Table 5). The number of cladodes varied from 6.6 to 8.9±0.4 for the 0 and 400 kg N ha -1 year -1 doses, respectively.…”

“…The cactus pear presents great use potential in animal feeding, given its water-use efficiency, especially highlighted in regions with prolonged drought periods (Grünwaldt et al2015). In this Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development (2021) 23: 165-179 scenario, cactus pear production is one of the strategies for the coexistence of cattle rising in the Cerrado, especially in the food deficit period (Nascimento et al 2020).…”

“…For the efficient use of nitrogen fertilization in this crop, it is of utter importance to establish fertilization protocols that may guarantee a high production, aiming at supplying food for the livestock. Furthermore, studies that determine the agronomic potential of the cactus pear regarding the responses of nitrogen fertilization need to be developed in regions with scarce information (Nascimento et al 2020).…”

Efficiency of fertilization with coated urea in the cultivation of cactus pear under rainfed conditions in Brazilian savannah

“…Among nitrogen fertilizer sources, urea is widely used due to its lower cost, but its use efficiency by the plant is reduced because it is rapidly hydrolysed, increasing the loss of nitrogen through volatilization in the form of ammonia (Skonieski et al, 2017). The cactus pear has shown positive responses to nitrogen fertilizations above 100 kg of N per hectare (Nascimento et al, 2020). Using urea, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization is inversely proportional to the increase in the nitrogen level, that is, high levels provide low efficiency (Bernardi et al, 2018).…”