Diagnosis and alternative of the revitalization of spineless cactus in semi- arid of the state of Paraiba / Diagnóstico e alternativa da revitalização da palma forrageira no semiárido paraibano

• Autor(a) principal: Almeida, Hermes Alves de
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Pinto, Ivandro de Oliveira Pinto, Santos Neto, José Antonio dos
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Brazilian Applied Science Review
• Texto Completo: https://ojs.brazilianjournals.com.br/ojs/index.php/BASR/article/view/424
• topic: Animal feed; Forage cetaceous; Carmine Cochineal; Scale Cochineal

The spineless cactus is the main food of the cattle herd in the semiarid Paraiba. However, with the advent of carmine cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae) traditionally cultivated varieties were practically decimated. Therefore, the technical alternative is undoubtedly the replacement by varieties resistant to this pest. However, the scale cochineal that already existed in the traditional planting, also affects the varieties resistant to carmine cochineal. In view of this, a diagnosis of the traditional forage palm was carried out and the alternative of the revitalization with resistant varieties in the Paraíba semi-arid region was studied in three municipalities of Paraiba: Boqueirão, Caturité and Pedra Lavrada, these determinations being the main objectives. The spatial cut-off was made up of ten farms for each municipality, and the methodological procedures consisted of the application of structured questionnaires, a semi-structured interview and on-site observations, with questions regarding the production of this fodder and the development of livestock activity. In the plantations of resistant varieties of carmine cochineal, in the Pedra Lavrada farms, the diagnosis was for the incidence of scale cochineal. The main results showed that: the feeding of the bovine, goat and ovine herd is limited, basically, forage palm. The presence of carmine cochineal occurred between mid 2009 and 2010 and decimated palms quickly. The drought, besides decimation of native pastures, affects clones of varieties resistant to carmine cochineal and seems to contribute with a higher incidence of scale cochineal. The revitalization of forage palm tree, with resistant varieties of carmine cochineal, is the only hope to continue farming in the semi-arid region of Paraíba. Although, it is recommended to expand studies on pluvial, thermal and water regimes for carmine cochineal resistant spineless cactus clones and their relationship to scale levels of scale cochineal infestation.