Agronomic and mineral characterization of cactus varieties under different doses of phosphorus

Barbara Silveira  Leandro de Lima; Carlos Aldrovandi  Torreão Marques; Ricardo  Loiola Edvan; Leilson  Rocha Bezerra; Jucilene  Silva Araújo; Júlio César  Azevedo Nóbrega; Marcos  Jácome de Araújo; Romilda  Rodrigues do Nascimento; Francisco Gleyson  da Silveira Alves

doi:10.56890/jpacd.v25i.455

Authors

Barbara Silveira Leandro de Lima 1Animal Science Department, Federal University of Ceara, UFC, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
Carlos Aldrovandi Torreão Marques 2Animal Science Department, Federal University of Sergipe, Nossa Senhora da Glória, SE, Brazil
Ricardo Loiola Edvan 3Animal Science Department, Federal University of Piauí, Bom Jesus, PI, Brazil
Leilson Rocha Bezerra 4Animal Science Department, Federal University of Campina Grande, Patos, PB, Brazil
Jucilene Silva Araújo 5Semiarid National Institute, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Júlio César Azevedo Nóbrega 6Agricultural Sciences Center, Environmental and Biology, Federal University of the Recôncavo of Bahia, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil
Marcos Jácome de Araújo 3Animal Science Department, Federal University of Piauí, Bom Jesus, PI, Brazil
Romilda Rodrigues do Nascimento 4Animal Science Department, Federal University of Campina Grande, Patos, PB, Brazil
Francisco Gleyson da Silveira Alves 1Animal Science Department, Federal University of Ceara, UFC, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56890/jpacd.v25i.455

Keywords:

growth; fertilization; Nopalea sp.; Opuntia sp.; yield of forage.

Abstract

The forage cactus stands out in animal feed, as it adapts to the climatic conditions of the semi-arid region and has a high-water content with benefits for animals fed with this forage plant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic and mineral characteristics of different forage cactus varieties managed under phosphate fertilization. A randomized blocks design was used, with split-plots in the space, the plots being the forage cactus varieties (Giant sweet clone (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Mill.), Little sweet clone (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Mill) and Mexicana (Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill)) and the subplots the doses of phosphorus (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P ha^-1 year), with four repetitions. The evaluations and cuts were performed two years after planting. The data were submitted to analysis of variance with significance level of 5%. In the mean comparison between the forage cactus pear varieties, the Tukey’s test was used. Statistical analyzes were performed using the software SISVAR. The variety Mexicana presented higher values of perimeter, width, and green mass per plant. The variety Giant sweet clone obtained higher values of thickness and length. The highest number of cladodes and the shortest length, perimeter and width were observed on the variety Little sweet clone. Regarding the variety Little sweet clone, a quadratic response was observed for the mineral matter, calcium, zinc and manganese contents and linear response for phosphorus and iron contents, in relation to the increase of phosphorus doses. Mexicana and Giant sweet clone varieties presented quadratic response in the doses of phosphorus for calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese contents. Phosphate fertilization promotes important changes in the agronomic characteristics of the cactus pear varieties, especially in the increase of cladodes and yield. The minerals of the cactus pear are affected by the dosage of the phosphate fertilizer and by the genotypic difference of the plant.