Storage Behavior Study on Cactus Pear (Opuntia Ficus-Indica L.) &Sustainable Utilization

Abstract

Cactus Pear Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Milis used in different ways. Mainly as fruit, juice, & even as salad mixture in Tigrayi region. leaves of this plant is used as main fodder source for any house hold animals, including to milking cows Cactus is originated from central and southern Mexico (). There are different reports with the introduction of cactus pear to Tigray. According to some legends cactus pear locally known as “beles” was introduced between 1848 and 1870 by Catholic Missionaries to eastern zone of Tigray, a priest called “Abune Yakob” who visited Erob, northern part of Tigray according to (). As a result, the priest brought three spineless cladodes from Mexico, its country of origin and planted one cladode in Alitena (Erob), the second cladode planted in Golea (Gantaafeshum) and the third cladode planted in Lehe (Eritrea). In modern times, first and foremost, O. ficus-indica is grown for the large, sweet fruits (often called “tunas”), which are available in local and commercial markets worldwide (3). Important tuna-growing regions include Mexico, Sicily, Algeria, Chile, Brazil, and northern Africa. In addition, the young cladodes (stem segments) of O. ficus-indica are harvested as a vegetable crop (often called nopalitos). Although this crop is less valuable worldwide than the fruit crop & vegetable products. Over the last few decades’ interest in cactus pear as food and feed has increased due to its drought resistance, high biomass yield, high palatability and tolerance to salinity (). Cactus pear cladodes are used to feed livestock (). These plants have high biomass yields and are palatable, tolerant to salinity and have high digestible energy content. Opuntia has high water content [about 150 g dry matter (DM)/kg fresh material] and also serves as a source of water for livestock in dry regions described cactus pear as a miracle plant, dromedary of the vegetation world, and the bank of life as it can contribute to livelihoods of rural populations in dry seasons of some areas, assume greater agricultural importance in dry areas. ( since Abstract: Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) Belongs to family cacteaces. It is used as a staple fruit in Tgrayi region; it was introduced to the region by one priest more than hundred years ago. This crop is economically important endangered, and endemic to the region. So this plant belongs among the three EEE crops, propriety set to conserve seeds in the gene bank. This storage behavior study was conducted by the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI) and collaboration with Adigrat University of Tigrayi region since 2016 Etc. Main purpose of this study was to categorize the storage behavior of Opuntia ficus-indica L. The plant is economically important, endangered, & can be called also as endemic for the region (EEE). For EBI the main concern to study the storage behavior of this crop for longterm conservation and sustainable utilization of genetic resources in the country. It was not studied before to conserve in the genebank. Seeds initially collected from Tigrayi region of two localities, places near to Mekele called (siat-kuyet) and yeha at the border of Ttigrayi region. Locally they are called Garaoo & Suluhuuna respectively. Initial viability test was done by using Tetrazolium solution (TZ) at different concentrations. All seeds were checked & all are viable using the standard protocol method of seed storage behavior identification of IPGR. Seeds were dried at room temperature initial moisture content was measured & was 8.5 %, then seeds were dried at room temperature up to 3.5% moisture content, after six months under -10oc, viability was tested again viability was 100% viable. We recommend both types of seeds can be kept as an orthodox seed, in the gene bank for long-term conservation and sustainable utilization.