Management strategies for forage cactus based on cutting intensity and planting density: agronomic performance and chemical composition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2025v46n6p1945Keywords:
Cladodes, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Green mass yield, Nopalea cochenillifera.Abstract
Growth characteristics, yield, chemical composition, and macro- and micronutrient contents of sweet forage cactus (Doce) were evaluated under three planting densities and two cutting intensities in the Brazilian Savanna. A completely randomized design was adopted in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with eight replications. Treatments consisted of two planting densities (single-row and double-row arrangements) and three cladode cutting intensities (matrix, primary, and secondary). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and when the F-test indicated significance, means were compared using Tukey’s test. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. The smallest cladode area (p < 0.05) and lowest plant height occurred under single-row planting with preservation of the matrix cladode. This treatment combination also resulted in higher dry matter content and lower mineral matter content (p < 0.05). Based on agronomic performance, yield, and chemical composition, forage cactus management should prioritize cutting intensities that preserve primary or secondary cladodes combined with double-row planting systems.
Downloads
References
Araújo, C. de A., Araújo, G. G. L. de, Silva, T. G. F. da, Voltolini, T. V., Lima, D. O., Gois, G. C., Araújo, K. L. G., Araújo, J. S., Nagahama, H. J., & Campos, F. S. (2025). Morphological and productive responses of cactus pear cv. Mexican elephant ear under different planting densities. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 67(1), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/00288233.2025.2473712
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (1998). Official Method of Analysis (15nd ed.). AOAC International.
Barbosa, M. M., Detmann, E., Rocha, G. C., Franco, M. O., & Valadares, S. C., Fº. (2015). Evaluation of laboratory procedures to quantify the neutral detergent fiber content in forage, concentrate, and ruminant feces. Journal of AOAC International, 98(4), 883-889. doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.14-156
Barros, D., Edvan, R., Pessoa, J. P., Nascimento, R., Camboim, L. F., Silva, S., Pereira, J. M., Fº., Sousa, H., Silva, E. C., Fº., Fonseca, M., & Bezerra, L. (2025). Cashew Gum (Anacardium occidentale) Hydrogel for Sustainable irrigation of cactus pear: effects on growth, chemical composition, and mineral content. Sustainability, 17(2), 501. doi: 10.3390/su17020501
Cardoso, D. B., Carvalho, F. F. R., Medeiros, G., Guim, A., Cabral, A. M., Véras, R. M. L., Santos, K. C., Dantas, L. C. N., & Nascimento, A. G. O. (2019). Levels of inclusion of spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) in the diet of lambs. Animal Feed Science Technology, 247(1), 23-31. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.10.016
Carvalho, C. B. de M., Edvan, R. L., Nascimento, K. dos S., Nascimento, R. R. do, Bezerra, L. R., Jácome, D. L. de S., Santos, V. L. F., & Santana, H. A. de, Jr. (2020). Methods of storing cactus pear genotypes for animal feeding. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 37(2), 173-179. doi: 10.2989/10220119.2020.1734084
Cortázar, V. G., & Nobel, P. S. (1991). Prediction and measurement of high annual productivity for Opuntia ficus-indica. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 56(4), 261-272. doi: 10.1016/0168-1923(91)90095-8
Costa-Coutinho, J. M., Jardim, M. A. G., Castro, A. A. J. F., & Viana, A. B., Jr. (2019). Biogeographic connections of Brazilian savannas: partition of marginal and disjunct diversity and conservation of northern ecotonal tropics in a biodiversity hotspot. Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física, 12(7), 2407-2427. doi: 10.26848/rbgf.v12.7.p2407-2427
Detmann, E., Silva, L. F. C., Rocha, G. C., Palma, M. N. N., & Rodrigues, J. P. P. (2021). Métodos para análise de alimentos.
Donato, S. S. J., Borém, A., & Rodrigues, M. G. V. (2020). Palma forrageira: do plantio à colheita. EPAMIG.
Dubeux, J. C. B., Jr., Araújo, J. T. de, Fº., Santos, M. V. F. dos., Lira, M. de A., Santos, D. C. dos, & Pessoa, R. A. S. (2010). Adubação mineral no crescimento e composição mineral da palma forrageira -Clone IPA-201. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias, 5(1), 129-135. doi: 10.5039/agraria.v5i1a591
Dubeux, J. C. B., Jr., Santos, M. V. F. dos, Cunha, M. V. da, Santos, D. C. dos, Almeida, S. R. T. de, Mello, A. C. L. de, & Souza, T. C. de. (2021). Cactus (Opuntia and Nopalea) nutritive value: a review. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 275(5), 114890. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.114890
Edvan, R. L., & Carneiro, M. S. S. (2019). Palma forrageira: cultivo e uso na Alimentação. Editora Appris.
Edvan, R., Sá, M., Magalhães, R., Ratke, R., Sousa, H.R, Neri, L.M.L, Silva-Filho, E.C, Pereira Filho, J., & Bezerra, L. (2020). Fibra natural copolimerizada do mesocarpo de Orbignya phalerata (fruto de babaçu) como fertilizante-irrigante para cultivo de palma forrageira. Polímeros, 12 (8), 1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081699
Ferraz, R. L. D. S., Dantas, J., Neto, Costa, P. D. S., Lima, A. S. D., Silva, P. F., Matos, R. M., & Melo, A. S. (2020). Variations in soil water replacement levels promote changes in cactus pear mineral composition and biomass productivity. Revista Ambiente & Água, 15(5), 1-17. doi: 10.4136/ambi-agua.2537
Ferreira, C. M., Cunha, M. V. D., Ferreira dos Santos, M. V., Mello, A. C. L., Santos, D. C., Silva, M. da C., & Coelho, J. J. (2024). Effect of plant spacing and cutting intensity on the morphology and productivity of forage cactus Opuntia stricta Haw.). African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 41(1), 67-76. doi: 10.2989/10220119.2023.2183524
Ferreira, D. F. (2011). Sisvar: computer statistical analysis system. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, 35(6), 1039-1042. doi: 10.1590/S1413-70542011000600001
Gomes, G. M. F., Cândido, M. J. D., Lopes, M. N., Maranhão, T. D., Andrade, D. R., Costa, J. F. M., Silveira, W. M., & Neiva, J. N. M. (2018). Chemical composition of cactus pear cladodes under different fertilization and harvesting managements. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 53(2), 221-228. doi: 10.1590/S0100-204X2018000200011
Lucena, L. R. R., Leite, M. L. D., Simões, V. J. L., Nóbrega, C., Almeida, M. C. R., & Simplicio, J. B. (2020). Estimating the area and weight of cactus forage cladodes using linear dimensions. Acta Scientiarum Agronomy, 43(1), 45460. doi: 10.4025/actasciagron.v43i1.45460
Mello, A. C. L., Silva, R. M., Souza, T. C., Dubeux, J. C. B., Jr., Lira, M. A., Santos, M. V. F., Coêlho, J. J., Santos, D. C., & Cunha, M. V. (2019). Nutrient concentration in spineless cactus under different planting densities and harvesting management. Acta Horticulturae, 1247(1), 137-142. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1247.19
Mertens, D. R. (2002). Gravimetric determination of amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber in feeds with refluxing in beakers or crucibles: collaborative study. Journal of AOAC International, 85(6), 1217-1240. PMID: 12477183
Nascimento, R. R., Edvan, R. L., Amorim, D. S., Araújo, J. S., Silva, A. L., Sousa, S. V., Nascimento, K. dos S., Barros, L. de S., & Tomaz, J. L. S. (2020). Métodos de cultivo de mudas de três variedades de palma forrageira. Brazilian Journal of Development, 6(5), 32689-32697. doi: 10.34117/bjdv6n5-640
Oliveira, J. F. F., Andrade, A. P., Valença, R. L., Cunha, G. L. C., Araújo, F. S., & Magalhães, A. L. R. (2021). Metabólitos secundários presentes na palma forrageira: benefícios e potencialidades. Research, Society and Development, 10(2), e53910212809. doi: 10.33448/rsd-v10i2.12809
Pereira, J. D. S., Figueiredo, P. I., Anjos, J. S., Campos, F. S., Araújo, G. G. L., & Voltolini, T. V. (2022). Forage yield and structural responses of spineless cactus ‘orelha de elefante mexicana’ at different planting densities. Acta Scientiarum Agronomy, 44(1), e53016. doi: 10.4025/actasciagron.v44i1.53016
Pessoa, D. V., Andrade, A. P., Magalhães, A. L. R., Teodoro, A. L., Santos, D. C., Araujo, G. G. L., Medeiros, A. N., Nascimento, D. B., Valença, R. de L., & Cardoso, D. B. (2020). Forage cactus of the genus Opuntia in different with the phenological phase: nutritional value. Journal of Arid Environments, 181(10), 104243. doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104243
Pinos-Rodríguez, J. M., Velázquez, J. C., González, S. S., Aguirre, J. R., García, J. C., Álvarez, G., & Jasso, Y. (2010). Effects of cladode age on biomass yield and nutritional value of intensively produced spineless cactus for ruminants. South African Journal of Animal Science, 40(3), 245-250. doi: 10.4314/sajas.v40i3.14
Rocha, A. O., & Santos, P. A. (2025). Forage cactus production in Brazil: from establishment to use in animal feeding. Contemporânea, 5(10), 1-15. doi: 10.56083/RCV5N10-134
Rodrigues, P. G., Garcez, D. S. M., Silva, C. M., Santana, C. C. S., Santana, J. C. S., Lopes, C. D. C., Muniz, E. N., Oliveira, G. M., Jr., Moura, R. S., & Souza, J. C. (2021). Use of palm bran (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck) in partial replacement of concentrate in maintenance equine diets - a pilot study. Archives Animal Breeding, 64(1), 273-282. doi: 10.5194/aab-64-273-2021
Silva, B. K., Oliveira, J.S., Santos, E. M., Ramos, J. P. F., Cartaxo, F. Q., Givisiez, P. E. N., Souza, A. F. N., Cruz, G. F. L., César Neto, J. M., Alves, J. P., Ferreira, D. J., Lima, A. G. V. O., & Zanine, A. M. (2021). Cactus pear as roughage source feeding confined lambs: performance, carcass characteristics, and economic analysis. Agronomy, 11(4), 1-14. doi: 10.3390/agronomy11040625
Silva, F. C. (2009). Manual de análises químicas de solos, plantas e fertilizantes (2nd ed.). EMBRAPA Informação Tecnológica.
Teles, E. B. S., Arantes, A. de M., Donato, S. L. R., Soares, R. S., Silva, J. A. da, & Donato, P. E. R. (2024). Cultivares de palma forrageira sob diferentes arranjos e densidades de plantio. Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física, 17(1), 157-177. doi: 10.26848/rbgf.v17.1.p157-177
Valente, T. N. P., Detmann, E., Valadares, S. D. C., Fº., Cunha, M., Queiroz, A. C., & Sampaio, C. B. (2011). In situ estimation of indigestible compounds contents in cattle feed and feces using bags made from different textiles. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 40(3), 666-675. doi: 10.1590/S1516-35982011000300027
Voltolini, T. V., Miranda, J. E. C., Santos, R. D., Muniz, E. N., Fernandes, E. N., & Magalhães, V. M. A. (2016). Plantio e manejo da palma forrageira no semiárido. EMBRAPA.
Voltolini, T. V., Oliveira, A. R., Salviano, A. M., Moura, A. S. B., & Araújo, G. G. L. (2022). Sistema de produção de palma-forrageira para o estado da Paraíba. EMBRAPA Semiárido.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 João Paulo Matos Pessoa, Gleice Kelle Silva Marques Vilela, Michel Oliveira Rocha, Clara Beatriz Marques da Silva Xavier, Samila Barbosa Lisboa, Dhiéssica Morgana Alves Barros, Shirlenne Ferreira Silva, Michelle de Oliveira Maia Parente, Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo, Ricardo Loiola Edvan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Semina: Ciências Agrárias adopts the CC-BY-NC license for its publications, the copyright being held by the author, in cases of republication we recommend that authors indicate first publication in this journal.
This license allows you to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, remix, transform and develop the material, as long as it is not for commercial purposes. And due credit must be given to the creator.
The opinions expressed by the authors of the articles are their sole responsibility.
The magazine reserves the right to make normative, orthographic and grammatical changes to the originals in order to maintain the cultured standard of the language and the credibility of the vehicle. However, it will respect the writing style of the authors. Changes, corrections or suggestions of a conceptual nature will be sent to the authors when necessary.
