Effect of the species and maturity over the nutrient content of cactus pear cladodes [Efecto de la especie y madurez sobre el contenido de nutrientes de cladodios de nopal]

The use of cactus cladodes as fodder is extended and its nutrimental quality is very variable. Despite the studies that have been carried out, the magnitude with which the species and maturity of the cladode affect its nutrient content is not precisely known. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the cactus species (Nopalea cochenillifera, Opuntia robusta ssp. larreyi, O. undulataxO. tomentosa and O. ficus-indica) and of the growth stage (four levels, from very young cladode -GS1- to well developed cladode - GS4) on the percentage of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), fiber extracted with neutral or acid detergent (NDF) (ADF) and ash, in cladodes produced under hydroponics in the greenhouse. The design consisted of complete randomized blocks with a 4×4 factorial arrangement with four replicates. The DM decreased (p≤0.05) from 5.7%25 in GS1 to 3.9%25 in GS3, after which it increased with different rate of variation among species. The CP was statistically similar among species and decreased significantly (p≤0.05) from 21.7%25 in GS1 to 16.9%25 in GS4. O. ficus-indica presented the highest values of NDF and ADF (34.4 and 17.6%25). The contents of NDF and ADF increased significantly with growth, from 26.4%25 in GS1 to 31.9%25 in GS4, and was differential among species.

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