GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF VARIOUS CACTUS (Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill) ACCESSIONS UNDER WESTERN MAHARASHTRA CONDITIONS

V.K. KAUTHALE¹*, K.K. PUNDE^2
1BAIF Development Research Foundation, Urulikanchan, Pune, 412 202, India
²BAIF Development Research Foundation, Urulikanchan, Pune, 412 202, India
* Corresponding Author : vitthal.kauthale@baif.org.in

Received : 01-11-2021     Accepted : 27-11-2021     Published : 30-11-2021
Volume : 13     Issue : 11       Pages : 10935 - 10937
Int J Agr Sci 13.11 (2021):10935-10937

Keywords : Growth, Biomass Yield, Nutritional quality, Cactus accessions, Fertilizer levels, Water management
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development for financial support in undertaking the study. Authors are also thankful to BAIF Development Research Foundation, Urulikanchan, Pune 412 202, India and wish to express their gratitude to Dr Bharat Kakade, President BAIF, Mr Girish Sohani, Principal advisor and Trustee, BAIF, Dr S. S. Roy, Advisor BAIF and Mr P. S. Takawale, Program Director for their constant guidance during the course of the study
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) is one of the most suitable crop species to meet multiple requirements of food and forage. A field experiment was conducted at BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune, India during the year 2015 to 2017 to study the growth and yield performance of four cactus accessions (1270, 1271, 1280 and 1308) along with different fertilizer levels and water management practices. The experiment was conducted in sandy loam soil having very low level of fertility. The growth, yield and quality parameters were monitored during study period. It was revealed that green biomass yield was ranged from 15.46 to 17.38 kg and 27.69 to 41.45 kg per plant after one and two years of plant growth respectively. Accession 1280 recorded highest biomass yield of 41.45 kg per plant at two years of plant growth. Application of chemical fertilizers has influenced the biomass yield and highest biomass yield (42.14 kg per plant) was obtained with application of 40:20:20 kg NPK/ha at two years of plant growth. Application of chemical fertilizers and irrigation has influenced the growth, biomass yield and nutritional quality of cactus. This study also indicated that cactus could be well adapted under semi-arid conditions of Western Maharashtra and have potential to provide green biomass to feed to the livestock during scarcity period

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