Establishment and Performance of Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Accessions at Initial Stages under Shed Net in Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan

Abstract

Cactus (Opuntiaficus-indica), commonly known as prickly pear, belongs to the family Cactaceae. It has high water-use efficiency, drought tolerant, survive under erratic and low rainfall and highly useful in arid and semiarid environments, particularly during prolonged dry spells or failure of the monsoon. Cactus is considered as one of the important sources of food and fodder to cattle under arid condition. The study has been carried out to estimate the initial survival rate and establishment of cactus accessions under shed net condition at ICAR-CAZRI, Regional Research Station, Pali-Marwar. It has shown good survival rate before rainfall (March-June). But after commencement rainfall (July-August) it was showing decreasing trend in survival percentage. The survival rate of cladodes before rainfall ranged between 100% and 40% whereas it was decreased as 80% to 31.4% after commencement of rainfall. The highest survival percentage of cladodes before rainfall was recorded in Trunzara Red San Cono, ARL Spineless, Roso Castle Sardo and Algerian (100%). Out of fifteen accessions, seven were sprouted in 28 to 49 days and others sprouted after over 50 days. Therefore, waterlogging and saline condition of water may reduce the survival rate and establishment at initial stage of cactus by causing root rot under shed net condition.