Selection of progenies of forage cacti (Opuntia undulata Griffiths) in the semiarid region of Brazil

The objective of this study was to select progenies of Opuntia undulata Griffiths cv. African Elephant Ear (AEE) through morphological, productive, and nutritional traits, and also evaluate the repeatability and selection gain. The experiment was carried out between 2018 and 2020, in the semiarid region of Brazil. A completely randomized design was used, with ten replications. The treatments consisted of 12 progenies of Opuntia undulata cv. AEE. Morphological, productive, and nutritional characteristics were evaluated, also the selection gain and repeatability were estimated. There was a variation in the productivity of up to 11.2 t DM ha⁻¹. Progenies number 6 and 7 stood out in terms of selection gain. Progenies 6, 7, 9, and 12 were the most productive. Progeny 6 stood out in terms of dry matter production and minor presence of spines; both traits are of great interest in breeding programs of forage cacti. Based on the repeatability analysis, fewer evaluations were enough to predict with confidence morphological traits and dry matter production in different progenies of Opuntia undulata Griffiths.