MORPHOLOGICAL AND PRODUCTIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF FORAGE CACTUS VARIETIES

Authors

  • Philipe Lima de Amorim Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Highway BR 104 North, 57083-000 Rio Largo, AL, Brazil.
  • Janaina Azevedo Martuscello Animal Science Department of São João Del Rei Federal University, Campus CTAN, 36300-000, Highway BR 494, Km 02, São João Del Rei, MG, Brazil.
  • José Teodorico de Araújo Filho Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Highway BR 104 North, 57083-000 Rio Largo, AL, Brazil.
  • Daniel de Noronha Figueiredo Vieira da Cunha Animal Science Department of São João Del Rei Federal University, Campus CTAN, 36300-000, Highway BR 494, Km 02, São João Del Rei, MG, Brazil.
  • Liana Jank Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - National Research Center for Beef Cattle, 79002-970, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252015v28n326rc

Keywords:

Cladodes. Correlations. Dry mass yield. Nopalea cochenillifera.

Abstract

Cultivars of the genus Nopalea are known in Brazil for being tolerant to cochineal carmine attacks, thus making the cultivation of this genus a promising alternative for mitigating the negative effects of this insect on the production of biomass. With the objectives of characterizing morphologically spineless forage cactus varieties and identify morphological characteristics that may be the focus in spineless forage cactus breeding programs, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with 11 treatments and four replications. The variety Alagoas showed the highest values of weight, area and volume of cladodes. The varieties Negro Michoacan F7 and V7, Tamazunchale V12 showed the highest values of the cladode area index, the total volume of cladodes and total fresh mass production. The varieties Negro Michoacan V7 and F7 presented the highest water use efficiency and dry mass yield. Cladode volume showed the highest correlation coefficients with the fresh weight of cladodes. Aiming the release of varieties for biomass production, varieties Negro Michoacan F7, V7 and Tamazunchale V12 may substitute the Miúda variety. The number and cladode area index may be used as criteria for selection of superior varieties in breeding programs.

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Published

31-08-2015

Issue

Section

Zootechnics