The cactus pear has demonstrated productive potential in arid and semi-arid regions due to its photosynthetic process of crassulacean acid metabolism. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of three genotypes of cactus pear at different locations of a tropical semiarid region classified as non-suitable for cactus pear cultivation. A completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (3 × 7) (three genotypes of cactus pear [Miúda, Baiana (Nopalea cochenillifera) and Orelha de Efefante Mexicana - OEM (Opuntia stricta)] and seven locations) was used. The climatic conditions characterized an environment that restricts the growth of cactus pear genotypes, mainly due to the air relative humidity values. All morphological characteristics of the cactus pear genotypes were influenced by the interaction genotype x location, with higher expression of the characteristics on the different genotypes under hot semi-arid climate and tropical wet and dry climate. An effect of the interaction genotype x location was observed (p < 0.05) on water use efficiency, water accumulation and carrying capacity, where the highest values were observed for genotype Baiana at location 1. Also, there was influence of the interaction genotype x location over the chemical composition of the cactus pear. The cultivation of cactus pear is recommended under restricted climatic conditions in semi-arid tropical regions, especially the genotype Baiana, based on growth factors, biomass production and chemical composition.

-The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships between morphological characteristics and fresh matter yield of cactus pear and identify their direct and indirect effects. Nineteen accessions were evaluated for the following traits: number (NCl), thickness (ThCl), length (LCl) and width (WCl) of cladodes, plant height (PH) and plant width (PW), and green matter yield (GMY), dry matter yield (DMY) and dry matter percentage (DM). The correlations were estimated, and path analysis was performed by the method proposed by Wright. GMY was strongly correlated with DMY, allowing indirect selection for this trait. NCl and ThCl had a direct effect on GMY and can be used for indirect selection or as secondary traits in the selection process. Given the lack of significant correlations between MS and DMY, it is possible to select a palm variety with high DMY and DM.

-The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic divergence of 25 sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the semiarid region of Paraiba. A randomized block design with three replications was used for evaluation of plant height (PH), total natural matter production (TNMP) and total dry matter production (TDMP) and the percentage of components of DM (panicle, leaf blade, stem and dead matter) of the following hybrids: 866005, 866019, 866033, 866034, 866035, 866036, 866037, 866040, 866041, 866042, 866043, 866044, 870025, 870031, 870035, 870041, 870051, 870067, 870081, 870085, 870095, 1F305, BRS 610, Volumax, and XBS60329. Hybrid 1F305, followed by hybrid 866034, presented the highest average PH. There was a range from 7.679 to 20.948 kg/ha (average of 13,799 kg/ha) for TDMP. Hybrids 1F305, BRS 610 and Volumax presented less potential, and hybrids 866,041 and 866,042 were the most productive. Based on cluster analysis and subjective cut in 50% of dissimilarity, it was possible to establish four hierarchical groups, from which two stood out concerning productive characteristics. The group formed by hybrids Volumax, BRS 610, and XBS60329 presented lower averages for yield and lower percentage of panicle. Hybrids 866041 and 866042 show a higher total dry matter production, with values around 20,000 kg/ha.

resUMo Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar as características agronômicas e composição química em relação a diferentes sistemas de plantio da cultura da Palma Forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) P. Mill). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos completos casualisados com arranjo fatorial 2x2x2 com 4 repetições. Os fatores corresponderam a plantas expostas ao sol ou sombreadas (por plantas de Spondias spp.), posição de plantio do cladódio da Palma Forrageira (face larga voltada para leste/oeste ou norte/sul) e com ou sem adubação orgânica com esterco de bovino de corte. A Palma Forrageira foi plantada com espaçamento de 1,0m x 0,5m em Quixadá, Ceará, Brasil. O experimento foi conduzido no período de novembro de 2003 a novembro de 2007, sendo realizado dois corte. Foi avaliada a produção de massa verde a cada dois anos e a produção de massa seca. A composição química foi avaliada no último corte. O sombreamento com Cajá (Spondias ssp.) com 1,5m de altura promoveu redução na produção de massa verde da palma forrageira, fato não observado no segundo corte para massa seca. No segundo corte a palma que recebeu adubação orgânica obteve maior produção de massa verde com 60,48t ha-1. A posição de plantio do cladódio de palma forrageira influenciou a quantidade de fibra em detergente ácido. A palma forrageira deve ser plantada sem sombreamento, com direcionamento da parte mais larga do cladódio no plantio leste/oeste e com adubação orgânica de esterco bovino.inforMation Cronología del artículo. Recibido/Agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of the forage palm for different cropping systems sUMMarY The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and chemical composition for different cropping systems of the culture of forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) P. Mill). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement 2x2x2 with four repetitions. The factors corresponded to plants exposed to the sun or shaded (by Spondias spp.), Cladodes planting position of forage palm (facing wide face east/west or north/ south) and with or without organic fertilization with cattle manure cutting. The Forager Palma was planted with a spacing of 1,0m x 0,5m in Quixadá, Ceará, Brazil. The experiment was conducted from November 2003 to November 2007, being held two cutting. green mass production every two years and the dry matter production was evaluated. The chemical composition was evaluated in the final cut. Shading with Caja (Spondias ssp.) With 1,5m tall promoted reduction in green mass production of forage cactus, which was not observed in the second cut to dry mass. In the second cut palm that received organic fertilizer obtained higher green mass production with 60,48t ha-1. Planting position of the spineless cactus cladodes influenced the amount of acid detergent fiber. The spineless cactus must be planted without shading, with direction of the widest part of cladodes in the east/west planting and organic fertilization of manure. additiona...

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The objective was to evaluate the fermentation parameters, chemical composition and in situ degradability of sesame silage in comparison to usual silages. The losses, fermentation quality and chemical composition of the forages and silages were evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments (sesame, corn, millet and sunflower) and four replicates per treatment, the silages were produced in experimental silos. In-situ degradability was evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments and three replicates (animals) per treatment. The results were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey's test with a level of 5% of probability. Three rumen fistulated non-castrated Santa Inês rams were used. Sunflower and corn silages presented higher percentages of losses through gases (p ¼ .0256). Millet silage presented higher losses by effluent (p < .0001). The dry matter recovery (p < .0001) ranged from 70.0 to 96.5% for sesame and corn silage, respectively. The dry matter content (p ¼ .0002) in the silages ranged from 280.0 to 429.4 g kg À1. The sesame silage presented loss amounts and fermentation parameters similar to those found in corn and sunflower silage. Sesame silage showed moderate dry matter (DM), content, excellent crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents, and low lignin content. Corn silage presented higher concentration of the soluble fraction of DM (p < .0001). The sesame silage presented a high degradability rate of DM and it was similar to corn and millet which have great nutritional potential for ruminants feeding. Sesame has the potential to produce quality biomass and silage for animal feeding. HIGHLIGHTS The sesame can be an option for silage making. Sesame helps to ensure sustainability by promoting lower seasonal risks in this region through the usage of silage as feed for the animals. Sesame also increases the productivity of livestock throughout the year, through the availability of feed for the herd mainly during the dry season of the year.

Palavras chave adicionaisAlimentos alternativos. Cactos. Forragem. Ruminantes.resUMo Devido às suas características fisiológicas de economia e uso da água, as cactáceas permanecem suculentas durante períodos de seca, constituindo uma fonte alimentar alternativa principalmente durante a escassez de forragem e como fonte de água para os animais. Dentre as cactáceas mais usadas como forrageiras no Brasil tem o mandacaru, xiquexique, facheiro, coroa-de-frade e palma forrageira. O método mais usual da colheita das cactáceas é manual, com fornecimento direto no cocho para os animais, no entanto esta atividade diária aumenta a mão de obra e onera os custos de produção. O armazenamento desse material após a colheita por longos dias, surge como uma alternativa para minimizar os custos, e até mesmo transportar para longas distâncias, aumentando assim a segurança alimentar dos rebanhos, principalmente nas épocas secas. No entanto pouco são os trabalhos quanto ao efeito do período de armazenamento na composição e qualidade nutricional dessas plantas na alimentação animal. Dessa forma, essa revisão foi desenvolvida com o objetivo de abordar o uso das cactáceas na alimentação animal e o seu armazenamento após a colheita. inforMation Cronología del artículo. Recibido/Use of cacti in animal feed and post-harvest storage sUMMarY Due to their physiological characteristics of water use and economy, cacti remain succulent during periods of drought, constituting an alternative feed source, mainly during forage scarcity and as a source of water for animals. Among the most used cactaceae as foragesin Brazil has mandacaru, xiquexique, facheiro, coroa-de-frade and forage palm. The most common method of harvesting cacti is manual, with direct feed into the trough for animals, however this daily activity increases manpower and costs production costs. The storage of this material after harvesting for long days appears as an alternative to minimize costs, and even transport for long distances, thus increasing the food security of the herds, especially in the dry seasons. However, there is little work on the effect of the storage period on the composition and nutritional quality of these plants in animal feed. Thus, this review was developed with the objective of approaching the use of cactaceae in animal feed and their storage after harvest. additional keYwords Alternative feeds. Cacti. Forage. Ruminants.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of concentrate supplementation on the ingestive behaviour of grazing ewes. Twelve pregnant pluriparous sheep were used, six of the Santa Inês breed and six of the Morada Nova breed. The supplement was formulated to supply the animals with two feed levels (0.5% and 1.5% of body weight) of nutrition. The experimental design was a randomized 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (two breeds, two supplementation levels and two feeding shifts, morning and afternoon) with six replicates per treatment, totalling 24 experimental units. Focal sampling was used to record the time spent on the adopted behaviour at 10-minute intervals for 10 continuous hours, with three replications, totalling 180 records per animal. Sampling started at 07:00. Time spent grazing, ruminating and resting did not correlate with the level of concentrate supplementation. It was expected that concentrate supplementation would reflect directly on forage intake owing to the substitution effect, which causes sheep where the supplement supplied a small proportion of net energy requirement, to have a greater grazing intensity. The two breeds differed in the time spent ruminating or lying, with the Santa Inês sheep spending more time in these activities. Greater intensity of grazing and ruminating occurred in the morning, which is directly related to the climatic conditions of the region. Time of day is a factor that imposes limitations on the feeding behaviour patterns of ewes that are supplemented on pasture.