Cultivo de palma forrageira em sistemas consorciados na região semiárida brasileira – uma revisão.

Abstract

The forage cactus genera, Opuntia and Nopalea, are present throughout the Brazilian semiarid region, being the main pillar for the development of local livestock, due to the easy adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions present in this region, which allows their growth and development. From this, a bibliographic survey was carried out on the cultivation of forage cactus in intercropped systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region, with the perspective of understanding the dynamics of these systems, the impacts caused, the influence of soil and climatic conditions and management techniques. The study was conducted through the identification, collection and analysis of articles and technical works linked to the theme for theoretical basis. Through this literature review, it was possible to perceive that in Brazil about 600 thousand hectares are cultivated with forage palm, where the State of Bahia according to the last agricultural census is considered the largest producer with 1,303,149 tons in 2017. Mostly the cultivation of palm is intended for the production of fodder for use in animal feed in the dry season. Despite being a culture adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions present in the semi-arid region, some factors may interfere with its expression of its productive potential, among them, the selection of cladodes, choice of planting system and crop management during the production cycle. Another factor that can harm the development of cactus is the characteristics of the soil, in which this culture is demanding of soils with adequate fertility levels, of medium texture and good drainage. However, the use of green manure, organic and/or mineral manure helps to overcome this problem through the nutritional supply of the crop and the soil. However, with the adoption of intercropping systems with gliricidia, sorghum, leucaena and moringa, they condition an improvement in nutrient cycling, in efficient land use, in water use efficiency and consequently in forage production. Furthermore, it was observed that the average production of dry matter biomass produced by cactus and gliricidia was 7.3 t ha-1 in the alley cropping system. Likewise, sorghum in consortium with small palm obtained a dry matter productivity of 7,095 kg ha 1. In view of this, the implementation and correct management of intercropped systems, coupled with the adoption of complementary agricultural practices such as irrigation, makes it possible for rural properties in the semiarid to be self-sustainable through the production of diversified forage, with palm and other forages, under adverse conditions. of cultivation, thus reinforcing the importance of using sustainable production systems.