Genetic resources and breeding cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) for fodder production
2002
Mondragon-Jacobo, C. | Perez-Gonzalez, S.
Cactus pear is recognized as a fruit crop for semiarid subtropical conditions that is grown commercially for this purpose in five countries. However, it is more important as a forage and fodder plant, attending the size of wild and cultivated areas (>600,000 ha). Systematic collection and characterization of germplasm from the native as well as naturalized populations, and continued efforts at breeding are needed to find new selections and to develop new cultivars for desertified areas. Attempts to breed cactus pear date back to the early 1900's by Luther Burbank in California. Apomictic seedlings and the length of juvenility are the most important constraints for nopal breeding. Cold tolerance, spineless pads, high productivity, pest and disease resistance are the actual goals in developing new forage varieties. However, nutrient content and palatability need also to be considered. This paper reviews the importance of the germplasm base of fodder and forage nopal, and the extent of its variability and utilization. The techniques, research progress, breeding constraints and goals on developing fodder varieties are also discussed.
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