How Multiple Agricultural Production Systems Alter the Growth and Development of the Forage Cactus in a Semi-arid Environment

Different agronomic practices can change the morphological and productive responses of forage cactus to the cultivation environment. Therefore, studying the effects of the management adopted is essential to improve crop performance. The objective was to evaluate how the phenology, the morphophysiological indicators, and the cutting moment of cactus forage are influenced by different agronomic practices. Four experiments were evaluated in the Brazilian semi-arid region between 2017 and 2020, using the following practices: cactus clones [Opuntia (OEM) and Nopalea (MIU and IPA)]; water availability (0%, 40%, 80%, 100% and 120% of crop evapotranspiration—ET_c); mulch levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 18 Mg ha⁻¹); and intercropping [OEM/millet (cv. IPA Bulk-1-BF)]. Every 30 and 90 days, respectively, biometric and biomass data of the cultures were collected. Data were subjected to statistical analysis, and sigmoid regression models were generated. On average, the highest DM accumulation was observed in the OEM clone (0.0097 Mg ha⁻¹ °C day⁻¹) regardless of the system. The 80%ETc regimen favoured higher rates for Nopalea cacti. The exclusive cultivation of palm with cover favoured greater emission of cladodes (0.0583 units  °C day⁻¹) in relation to the intercropping. Regardless of the condition, the MIU cactus showed more phenophases. The adoption of practices reduced the cutting time of the cactus to 1225 °C day. Thus, management interventions must be adopted considering the cactus species present in the system, in order to improve the performance of the crop in the cultivation environment.