Study of the variability, correlation and importance of chemical and nutritional characteristics in cactus pear (Opuntia and Nopalea)

Abstract

Cactus pear is a widely cultivated plant in the Brazilian semiarid region that contributes significantly to the feeding of livestock, especially in times of drought. Because it has a great phenotypic variability among the varieties cultivated in Brazil, there is need to characterize the diversity of chemical and nutritional characteristics. The objectives of this study were to characterize the diversity in seven varieties of cactus pear, genera Opuntia and Nopalea, through 20 chemical and nutritional characteristics, and to determine the correlation and importance of these characteristics in the variability among genotypes, using multivariate analysis techniques. The study was conducted at the IPA (disambiguation) experimental station in Arcoverde-PE, using randomly designed blocks with three replications.

Nutritional Quality of Opuntia ssp. at Different Phenological Stages: Implications for Forage Purposes

“…However, the F-08 species stood out in relation to the others, indicating that the accumulation of minerals differs within the genus. The increase in EE concentrations with cladode maturation, evidenced mainly in APP, acts as a plant energy reserve for carrying out biochemical and physiological processes under water stress conditions (Alves et al 2016).…”

Composição botânica e controle de plantas daninhas no cultivo da palma forrageira (Opuntia e Nopalea)

“…Dentre as estratégias de adaptação ao déficit hídrico, a palma possui mecanismos que reduzem a perda de água ao mínimo, e absorvem água das mais ligeiras precipitações e umidade do ar, mantendo ao máximo o turgor de suas células. Além disso, ela produz metabólitos secundários que ajudam na sua resistência ao déficit hídrico (ALVES et al, 2016a).…”