Variação do pH do suco celular de Opuntia físicus-indica Mill E Cereus jamacaru DC no Semiárido da Paraíba.

Abstract

The cacti are of great importance to the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, bypresenting a more efficient photosynthetic mentabolism than grasses and is often usedin feed for ruminants, especially dairy cows. In this sense, the study was to identify the best time to cut the cactus (Opuntia FICU-indica Mill and Cereus jamacaru DC.) inorder to provide better quality forage for animals. The statistical design was completely randomized in a split plot in time, where the plots are times of the year.The two treatment groups are quantitative because they represent time and sixrepetitions. Data were obtained through the measurements of pH during a 24-hour period in three seasons (August, October and December) and the internal temperature of the cladodes (Opuntia FICU-indica) and stem (Cereus jamacaru). Thisstudy was conducted at Cajazeiras located in the city of Asunción (PB), from August to December 2009. The interaction between seasons and times of day influenced theacidity of the cactus. Significant effects between parameters. The acidity in thecladodes and stems was higherat the beginning the dry season.