ANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF CACTUS PEAR (Opuntia spp.) TO CONTROL CLADODE THICKENING AND YIELD

Abstract

Different management practices were used to reduce the presence and severity of cactus pear cladode thickening disease, to increase the yield per hectare, and to reduce alternate production. The evaluated practices were: manure application, elimination of totally infected plants, partial fruit cut off, and sanitary and formation pruning. After four years of management, the sanitary and formation pruning were able to reduce the disease severity in the fourth year. Erradication of damaged plants did not reduce the disease incidence and severity. Significant yield increases were obtained after the third year of manure application; however, alternate production was not avoided by any of these practices.