Sistema de cultivo sobre o solo de palma forrageira mexicana em períodos distintos de cura.

Abstract

The Mexican forage palm Opuntia stricta is an important forage resource in the Brazilian semi-arid region, a culture that was implanted in Brazil in the early twentieth century. Due to their adaptability and resistance, they have developed cultivation methods that obtain the best forage development, such as cultivation systems and the technique with curing the cladodes before planting. The research aimed to evaluate the relationship between the curing process and the performance of Mexican elephant ear cactus pear, in different periods in the soil cultivation system. The experiment was carried out in Barra de Santa Rosa, Paraíba from March 20, 2022 to September 9, 2022. The investigated variables were the occurrence and fixation of the cladode to the soil, number of cladodes. The results were satisfactory in relation to the emission and fixation of the matrix cladodes to the soil, but in relation to the emission of new cladodes it was evident that the curing process has a direct interference in the emission. It is concluded that the emission and fixation of the matrix cladodes occurred in a satisfactory manner, regardless of the curing process, but in relation to the emission of new cladodes, the T6 treatment with a cure period of 15 was the one that best provided the emission of cladodes. Pests and diseases did not interfere with the crop because they did not reach the damage level.