A palma forrageira na região semiárida do estado da Bahia: diagnóstico, crescimento e produtividade

Abstract

The forage palma (Opuntia) is an important crop for semiarid regions, used for soil conservation, fruit and vegetables for human consumption, animal feed, biomass for energy, production of carmim and other products such as beverages, vegetarian cheeses, medicines and cosmetics. Estimated to exist in northeastern Brazil around 500 thousand hectares. This research aimed to obtain information on the cultivation of forage palma in the semiarid region of Bahia state, according to: characterization of the system of production and use, and information collected through questionnaires administered in 130 municipalities; physiological indices , vegetative and productive performance of the plant subjected to fertilization and density of planting, whose experiments were carried out in the town of Rafael Jambeiro with latitude 12 ° 24 '30 "S, longitude 39 º 30' 05" W; physical and chemical characterization of fruits collected in the municipalities of Curaçá, Rafael Jambeiro and Uauá. It was concluded that the production system requires the intervention technique in order to improve and reach levels of productivity higher than the current, as well, the system use should be expanded and diversified; the adoption of the practice of fertilization in high density planting provides significant increase in productivity, emphasizing the positive response of forage cactus practices used; the fruits independent of origin have similarity in physical and chemical characteristics and is suitable for fresh consumption and for industrial processing.