Productivity and nutrient concentration in spineless cactus under different fertilizations and plant densities

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the productivity and nutrient concentration in spineless cactus 'Miúda' (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) under levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization (0, 150, 450 and , nitrogen fertilization did not affect productivity, however, there was a linear increase in plots with 40,000 ha -1 plants. The plant N concentration increased with nitrogen fertilization and ranged from 7.3 to 9.9 g kg -1. The plant phosphorus (P) concentration was influenced by the interaction between all the factors evaluated and reduced until estimated fertilization of 322 kg N ha -1 in plots with 40,000 plants ha -1 and 150 kg P ha -1 and only in São Bento do Una, with P concentration of 1.19 g kg -1. Nitrogen fertilization increased N concentration in cladodes and productivity when using high plant density. The increase in planting density increases productivity and reduces the concentration of most nutrients, except sulphur (S). , a adubação nitrogenada não causou efeito na produtividade, entretanto, houve aumento linear em parcelas com 40.000 plantas ha -1 . A concentração de N na planta aumentou com adubação nitrogenada e variou entre 7,3 e 9,9 g kg -1. A concentração de fósforo (P) na planta foi influenciada pela interação entre todos os fatores avaliados e reduziu até a adubação de 322 kg N ha -1 em parcelas com 40.000 plantas ha -1 e 150 kg P ha -1 e apenas em São Bento, com concentração de P de 1,19 g kg -1. A adubação nitrogenada aumenta a concentração de N nos cladódios e eleva a produtividade quando se utiliza alta densidade de plantas. O aumento da densidade de plantio aumenta a produtividade e reduz a concentração da maioria dos nutrientes, exceto enxofre (S).

Growth and biomass production of prickly pear in the second cycle irrigated with treated domestic sewage

“…These authors obtained the highest green matter production per hectare at 330 days after planting (92.79 t), evaluating different population arrangements and phosphorus doses. The yield obtained in the present study was 4 times higher than that reported by Souza et al (2017), who worked with 'Miúda' prickly pear at density of 40,000 thousand plants per hectare.…”

Copolymerized Natural Fibre from the Mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (Babassu Fruit) as an Irrigating-Fertilizer for Growing Cactus Pears

“…Thus, the greater plant height with the WH treatment can been explained due to the lower number and area of cladodes obtained with this treatment. Cactus pears with greater cladode development and more cladodes tend to have a lower plant height [ 37 , 38 ], which was what happened with the hydrogel treatments.…”

Agronomic characteristics and nutritional value of cactus pear progenies

“…Environmental factors such as rainfall play an important role in some variables of cactus pear (e.g., DM concentration) because evapotranspiration potential presents a relationship with air temperature most times of the year (Souza et al., 2017), promoting a considerable water deficit in soils of arid and semiarid regions (Chiacchio et al., 2006). Even though the cactus pear is adapted to this condition, a high‐water deficit could affect cactus performance.…”

“…In the semiarid region, forage production is limited, mainly due to great evapotranspiration rate and limited rainfall (Marques et al., 2020; C. Santos et al, 2017). Evapotranspiration potential has a relationship with air temperature and seasons of the year (Souza et al., 2017), promoting a considerable water deficit in soils of arid and semiarid regions (Chiacchio et al., 2006). It is important to mention that aridity index (AI) is a numerical indicator of aridity based on long‐term climatic water deficits and it is calculated as the ratio between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration; thus, in semiarid regions the AI is 0.2 ≤ AI ≤ 0.5 (Middleton & Thomas, 1997; Nouri et al, 2019).…”