UTILIZATION OF MANURE AND FERTILIZERS TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA SPP.) A REVIEW

Manure contributes to cactus pear nutrition and represents an excellent opportunity in Mexico. The presence of dairy operations close to the vegetable cactus pear areas allowed the intensive use of manure in Milpa Alta, D.F.; the most important vegetable cactus pear area in Mexico for more than 30 years. The objective of this paper was to review the utilization of manure and chemical fertilizers for cactus pear vegetable and fruit production. The benefits of manure on cactus pear production are: to induce and increase emission of tender cladodes, to produce improve quality of cactus pears and to extend the productive life of the plant in both systems. The utilization of manure to cactus pear is economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The manure rate depends on soil fertility, the type of cactus pear, as well as the phenological stage of the crop. In some cases, manure application may have negative effects on the soil. Synthetic fertilizers can also be provided via drip irrigation, which is becoming popular in Northern Mexico due to water scarcity, rates and sources are discussed.