ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) associated with dry and rainy seasons on the photochemical activity of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. cv. Gigante. Combinations of N (10.0, 70.0, 100.0, 130.0, and 190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1) and P2O5 (10.0, 70.0, 100.0, 130.0, and 190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1) were evaluated in the dry and rainy seasons in semi-arid regions. A completely randomized block design with split-plot arrangement was adopted with four replications. In Quixadá, the maximum potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was 0.82, observed in third-order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 75.6/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1), while in Tejuçuoca, the maximum Fv/Fm was 0.81, found in 2nd/3rd order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 10.0/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1). In Quixadá, the maximum electron transport rate (ETR) was 31.6 μmol m−2 s−1 in 2nd/3rd order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 10.0/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1), and in Tejuçuoca, the maximum ETR was 24.1 μmol m−2 s−1, in second-order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 110.1/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1). In Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, higher values of Fv/Fm and ETR were observed in the rainy season. In Quixadá, the maximum fluorescence decrease ratio (FDR) was 4.04 in third-order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 10.0/114.8 kg ha−1 yr−1), while in Tejuçuoca, the maximum FDR was 6.93, found in 2nd/3rd order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 190.0/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1). In Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, there was predominance of higher FDR values in the rainy season. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and water status modulate the photochemical efficiency of cladodes of cactus pear cv. Gigante in semi-arid regions.

ABSTRACT Forage biomass production and water storage (WS) was evaluated in cactus pear cv. Gigante fertilized with combinations of nitrogen (10, 70, 100, 130, and 190 kg ha−1 yr−1 N) and phosphorus (10, 70, 100, 130, and 190 kg ha−1 yr−1 P2O5) in annual (AH) and biennial (BH) harvest frequencies, in Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used in a split-plot arrangement with four replications. In Quixadá, the maximum total forage biomass (TFB) recorded in the AH was 3,522.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 for the N/P2O5 combination of 134.6/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1, and in the BH, the maximum TFB of 1,583.2 kg ha−1 yr−1 was recorded for the N/P2O5 combination of 114.6/136.8 kg ha−1 yr−1. In Tejuçuoca, the maximum TFB recorded in the AH was 9,783.0 kg ha−1 yr−1 for the N/P2O5 combination of 137.7/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1, and in the BH, the maximum TFB of 12,124.0 kg ha−1 yr−1 was recorded for the N/P2O5 combination of 190.0/56.8 kg ha−1 yr−1. In Quixadá, the maximum WS recorded in the AH was 39.1 kg ha−1 mm−1 for the N/P2O5 combination of 161.0/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1, and in the BH, the maximum WS of 11.3 kg ha−1 mm−1 was recorded for the N/P2O5 combination of 113.5/158.7 kg ha−1 yr−1. In Tejuçuoca, the maximum WS recorded in the AH was 196.1 kg ha−1 mm−1 for the N/P2O5 combination of 190.0/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1, and in the BH, the maximum WS of 265.5 kg ha−1 mm−1 was recorded for the N/P2O5 combination of 190.0/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1. To achieve the persistence and longevity of the cactus pear cv. Gigante, the management with BH and fertilization with the N/P2O5 combination of 114.6/136.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 (in regions similar to Quixadá) and N/P2O5 combination of 190.0/56.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 (in regions similar to Tejuçuoca) is recommended.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of N/P fertilization on the chemical, mineral composition, and in vitro degradation kinetics of cactus pear cv. Gigante. The research was conducted in Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, CE, Brazil. Nine N/P combinations were evaluated from five levels of N (10, 70, 100, 130, and 190 kg ha−1 year−1), five levels of P2O5 (10, 70, 100, 130, and 190 kg ha−1 year−1), and two harvest frequencies (annual and biannual). The experiment was performed in a split plot completely randomized block design, with four replications. The maximum CP content was obtained in biannual harvest in Quixadá and Tejuçuoca with the combined levels N/P2O5 of 190/190 and 130.03/190 kg ha−1 year−1, respectively. Calcium content was reduced by fertilization, which allowed to reduce the Ca:P ratio to 9.72:1.00 with the N/P2O5 combination at 190/10 kg ha−1 year−1 in the biannual harvest. The increase in N and P levels results in higher S and Mn content and higher digestibility. The annual harvest improves quality in Quixadá. However, it has weaker influence on quality in Tejuçuoca. In Tejuçuoca, Mg, Cu, and Mn contents are lower under annual harvest. Sulfur content is lower under annual harvest in both sites.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adubação combinada de nitrogênio e fósforo, e da frequência de colheita sobre a composição química de cladódios de palma forrageira 'Gigante' (Opuntia ficus-indica). O experimento foi realizado em dois municípios cearenses, Quixadá e Tejuçuoca. A adubação com nitrogênio (ureia) e fósforo (superfosfato simples) foi realizada em nove doses, respectivamente: 10 e 70, 70 e 10, 70 e 70, 70 e 130, 100 e 100, 130 e 70, 130 e 130, 130 e 190, e 190 e 130 kg ha-1 por ano, além de 100 kg ha-1 de N e P2O5 por ano como controle. As frequências de colheita avaliadas foram anual e bianual. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. O efeito da adubação sobre os teores de matéria seca total, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, matéria orgânica e carboidratos totais dos cladódios varia com a frequência de colheita e com o local. Quanto aos períodos de colheita, foram observados maiores teores de matéria orgânica, carboidratos totais e fibra em detergente neutro, mas menores teores de proteína bruta para a colheita bianual, nos dois municípios. A colheita anual melhora a qualidade nutritiva de cladódios primários e secundários em Quixadá e de cladódios secundários e terciários em Tejuçuoca.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of combined phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization and of harvesting frequency on the chemical composition of 'Gigante' cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes. The experiment was carried out in two municipalities, Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Fertilization with nitrogen (urea) and phosphorus (single superphosphate) was done with nine doses, respectively: 10 and 70, 70 and 10, 70 and 70, 70 and 130, 100 and 100, 130 and 70, 130 and 130, 130 and 190, and 190 and 130 kg ha-1 per year, besides 100 kg ha-1 N and P2O5 per year as the control. The harvesting frequencies evaluated were annual and biannual. A randomized complete block design was adopted, in split plot, with four replicates. The effect of fertilization on the contents of total dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, organic matter, and total carbohydrates in the cladodes varies with harvesting frequency and site. Regarding harvesting frequency, there were higher contents of organic matter, total carbohydrates, and neutral detergent fiber, but lower contents of crude protein for the biannual harvesting in both municipalities. Annual harvesting improves the nutritional quality of primary and secondary cladodes in the municipality of Quixadá and of secondary and tertiary cladodes in Tejuçuoca.