Carlos M G Reis | Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco (original) (raw)
Papers by Carlos M G Reis
Hort. Sci. , 2018
Fruit production, as an elementary chemical characteristic of the fruit, was evaluated in 16 Opun... more Fruit production, as an elementary chemical characteristic of the fruit, was evaluated in 16 Opuntia ficus-indica Portuguese ecotypes cultivated in a marginal soil without tillage, in the second and third years after plantation. The O. ficus-indica ecotypes were compared with the Italian cultivars 'Bianca' and 'Gialla'. Significant differences were found among the O. ficus-indica ecotypes in biomass-related parameters and fruit yield, and different groups were established. Two spineless ecotypes (OFI-12 and OFI-13) had highest biomass production, with 9.9 Mg/ha dry matter on average. This was not significantly different from the 'Gialla' cultivar, which averaged 11.9 Mg/ha, for a density of 2,667 plants/ha, in the third year after plantation. Among Portuguese ecotypes, the fruit yields ranged from 2.4 to 10.1 Mg/ha fresh weight. The cultivars 'Gialla' and 'Bianca' had the highest fruit yield (13.8 and 13.6 Mg/ha fresh weight, respectively). The 'Gialla' cultivar and the group of ecotypes with orange pulp produced fruits of larger size and weight compared to the 'Bianca' cultivar and the group of ecotypes with white pulp.
Agronomy, 2018
The Opuntia spp., most likely few individuals, were introduced in the Iberian Peninsula in the be... more The Opuntia spp., most likely few individuals, were introduced in the Iberian Peninsula in the beginning of the 16th century, after the discovery of America, spreading afterwards throughout the Mediterranean basin. We analysed, for the first time, the genetic diversity in a set of 19 Portuguese Opuntia spp. populations from the species O. ficus-indica, O. elata, O. dillenii and O. robusta using nuclear microsatellite (nuSSR) markers. The Italian cultivars 'Bianca', 'Gialla' and 'Rossa' were included in the study for comparison purposes. The nuSSR amplifications produced from five to 16 alleles, with an average of 9.2 alleles per primer pair, and average polymorphism information content of 0.71. The estimated Dice coefficient among populations varied from 0.26 to 1.0, indicating high interspecific genetic diversity but low genetic diversity at the intraspecific level. The hierarchical clustering analysis revealed four major groups that clearly separated the four Opuntia species. Among the O. ficus-indica populations, two sub-clusters were found, one including the white pulp fruits (with cv. Bianca) and the other with the orange pulp ones and including the cv. Gialla, the cv. Rossa, and one pale yellow pulp population. No genetic differences were found between the inermis form, O. ficus-indica f. ficus-indica, and the rewilded spiny one, O. ficus-indica f. amyclaea. The dendrogram indicated that the clustering pattern was unrelated to geographical origin. The results revealed a low level of genetic diversity among the Portuguese populations of O. ficus-indica.
In Opuntia spp., the cladode tissues contain many polysaccharides and secondary metabolites that ... more In Opuntia spp., the cladode tissues contain many polysaccharides and secondary metabolites that interfere with obtaining high-quality deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), using currently available methods. To circumvent this problem, three commercial kits, three modified versions of the conventional cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method (CTAB) method and one combined method were tested in Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. dillenii and O. elata species. We obtained a rapid and simple protocol that allows the extraction of DNA from all the tested species with good DNA yield and purity, namely, the combined method. With this method (DNeasy® Plant Mini Kit combined with the CTAB method), DNA yields from 13.2 ± 7.8 to 15.9 ± 11.3 µg g −1 of fresh tissue were obtained in the four Opuntia species. The purity, evaluated by the ratio A 260 /A 280 ratio, ranged from 1.67 ± 0.12 to 2.01 ± 0.25, revealing low levels of problematic metabolites. The extracted DNA quality was confirmed by amplifying a set of nuclear microsatellites obtained for the genus. Reliable reproducible bands and electropherogram profiles were obtained. The combined method has potential to be universal for good-quality DNA extraction in cacti, particularly in the Opuntia genus and other difficult-to-extract species.
![Research paper thumbnail of Effect of alternating temperature regimes on seed germination of guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/119181342/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Aust J Crop Sci. , 2024
Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] 2n=14, is an annual crop that belongs to the Fabaceae f... more Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] 2n=14, is an annual crop that belongs to the Fabaceae family and has a spring–summer growth cycle. This species has been assuming increasing importance among agro-industrial crops due to the high galactomannan content of its seeds for which a multitude of food and non-food applications have been developed. Guar is a viable rotation crop for growers in Mediterranean areas and can result in diversification in crop production systems. The effects of four alternating day/night temperature regimens on C. tetragonoloba seed germination were tested: (T1) 23/15 °C, (T2) 21/13 °C, (T3) 19/ 11 °C, and (T4) 17/09 °C with a 16/08 h light/dark photoperiod, respectively. Seeds from two guar cultivars (RGC-0936 and RGC-1066) were used. Treatments consisted of four replicates of 50 seeds each, arranged in a split-plot design with temperatures as the main plot and cultivars as the subplot. The results showed that lower temperatures reduced guar seed germination. The highest germination percentages were obtained at the 21/13 °C and 23/15 °C temperature regimens, while a significant drop in germination percentage occurred for the 19/11 °C treatment, and the lowest germination percentages were observed at 17/09 °C. No statistically significant differences were found between the two cultivars studied for seed germination percentages. The interaction effects among the different alternative temperature regimes on seed germination and guar cultivars were not statistically significantly different. The values obtained at the 21/13 °C temperature treatment allow us to conclude that this regimen is the minimum acceptable combination of temperatures to program the sowing date.
Ecologia Mediterranea, 2023
The Barrocal Park is a 40-ha geological park located at the edge of the city of Castelo Branco, P... more The Barrocal Park is a 40-ha geological park located at the edge of the city of Castelo Branco, Portugal, that features diverse granite land forms. The Barrocal Park is integrated into the classified territories of the Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark and the Tejo|Tajo Internacional Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The present study aimed to characterize the spontaneous flora of the Barrocal Park. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification of this region is Csa. The Barrocal landscape is characterized by fragments of climat ophilic forests of Quercus pyrenaica, associated with rocky granite outcrops. In the subserial stages, Adenocarpus lainzii, Adenocarpus complicatus, Cistus ladanifer, Cistus inflatus, Cytisus striatus, Cytisus multiflorus, Halimium umbellatum and Lavandula pedunculata predominate. The Arisaro simorrhini-Quercetum pyrenaicae association is the only climatophilic series present in the study
area. The plant communities comprise 132 plant species belonging to 108 genera and 45 families. The dominant Raunkiaer life form is therophytes (45.5%), followed by hemicryptophytes (22.7%), and geophytes (12.9%). Eight species are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, Adenocarpus lainzii, Antirrhinum graniticum, Asphodelus serotinus, Cytisus multiflorus, Digitalis thapsi, Ferula communis subsp. catalaunica, Ornithogalum concinnum and Sedum arenarium. Four invasive species were identified. Some of the native species have great potential as ornamental plants. Despite its main geoheritage value, the Barrocal park can also be valued for its spontaneous flora.
CERNAS-IPCB financiado por Fundos Nacionais atraves da FCT (Projeto PEst-OE/AGR/UI0681/2014)
Avaliação de ecótipos de figueira-daíndia (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) para produção de fruto.
Reis, C. M. G., Almeida, C. M., Peças, L. F. V. & Almeida, J. P. F. (2021). Yield evaluation of g... more Reis, C. M. G., Almeida, C. M., Peças, L. F. V. & Almeida, J. P. F. (2021). Yield evaluation of guar genotypes (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.) selected for high-density planting and mechanical harvesting. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 27 (5), 926–932 Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is an annual and self-pollinated crop with a spring-summer cycle that belongs to Fabaceae family. Guar has been assuming increasing importance among agro-industrial crops due to the high galactomannan content of its seeds. Fifteen unbranched genotypes selected for a high-density planting and mechanical harvesting were evaluated for agronomic and yield traits. Ten morphological traits were studied for the analysis of variance, correlation, path coefficient analysis and principal components. The analysis of variance exhibited statistically significant differences among genotypes for all traits studied. The seed plant yield ranged from 13.5 to 25.0 g with mean 19.2 g. The highest significant positive correlation w...
Reis, C. M. G., C. Gouveia, M. C. Vitorino, L. C. Gazarini, M. M. Ribeiro and F. Peres, 2017. Bio... more Reis, C. M. G., C. Gouveia, M. C. Vitorino, L. C. Gazarini, M. M. Ribeiro and F. Peres, 2017. Bioactive compounds and morphology in Opuntia spp. fruits from Portuguese ecotypes. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (6): 929–938 The Opuntia spp. has minimal soil and water requirements, and the O. fi cus-indica, in particular is sought to be an alternative for the Mediterranean region agricultural economy. The morphology, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of fruits were studied in twenty Portuguese ecotypes belonging to four Opuntia species (O. fi cus-indica, O. robusta, O. dillenii and O. elata). The ecotypes were compared with the O. fi cus-indica cultivars ‘Bianca’, ‘Gialla’ and ‘Rossa’. The fruits from Opuntia spp. ecotypes displayed variability in morphological and bioactive characteristics. Among O. fi cus-indica ecotypes, the orange pulp fruits were larger, heavier and had a higher percentage of pulp as well as a lower percentage of seeds compared to the white pulp fruits. How...
RODRIGUES, A. M., F. I. PITACAS, C. M. G. REIS and M. BLASCO, 2016. Nutritional value of Opuntia ... more RODRIGUES, A. M., F. I. PITACAS, C. M. G. REIS and M. BLASCO, 2016. Nutritional value of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes from Portuguese ecotypes. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 22: 40–45 The use of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes as a forage for ruminants has been very important in the semi-arid and arid regions of the world. O. ficus-indica cladodes can be fed to small ruminants especially in periods of the year when there is low quality and quantity of pasture. In Mediterranean regions like South of Portugal during the rainy season the availability of pasture is quantitatively and qualitatively satisfactory, but in critical times of the year the shortage and low nutritive value of forages causes decreased productivity in the ruminant's production of milk and meat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile of the cladodes from five different Portuguese ecotypes of O. ficus-indica, in comparison with cultivar " Gialla " , and also evaluate its potential use as a feed for ruminants. Among populations' significant differences were found in crude protein and ash content, and different groups were unfolded. In general, O. ficus-indica has a low content of DM, CP and NDF and high content in NFC and EM. Given the importance that DM, PB and the NDF have for nutrition and feeding of ruminants we conclude that O. ficus-indica can be used in feeding small ruminants provided that animals have access to dry forage and a feed source with high CP content. Used as fodder, O. ficus-indica seems to be an optional interesting feed for small ruminants in driest period of the year.
The aim of this study was to determine the dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude prote... more The aim of this study was to determine the dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), total sugars, starches and estimate the metabolizable energy (ME), in ruminants, pigs, poultry, horses and pets (dogs and cats) and digestible energy (DE) in rabbits from the 10 most productive field pea genotypes (Pisum sativum) obtained in a trial with 4 X 20 different genotypes (Project 0186_AGROCELE_3_E). The results (% DM-genotype) allowed us to state the following: all the 10 field pea genotypes grain were an important source of energy (cytoplasmic carbohydrates) with high percentages of soluble sugars (7.95% ISARD to 9.42% ENDURO) (P<0.05) and starch (38.63% LIVIA to 45.00% AUDIT) (P<0.05), low CF content (5.99% ISARD to 7.90% CARTOUCHE) (P<0 05), high CP (22.8% ENDURO to 26.1% CORRENT) (P<0.05), low levels of EE (0.69% LIVIA to 1.62% CHEROKEE) (P<0.05), ideal level of ME ruminants (11.844 MJ/kg DM-CHEROKEE to 11.883 MJ/kg DM-CORRENT) (P<0.05), ME pigs (14.683 MJ/kg DM-ISARD to 13.885 MJ/kg DM-CARTOUCHE) (P<0.05), ME poultry (11.540 MJ/kg DM-LIVIA to 12.868 MJ/kg DM-AUDIT) (P<0.05), ME horse (11.392 MJ/kg DM-CORRENT to 11.979 MJ/kg DM-AUDIT) (P<0.05), ME pets (13.116 MJ/kg DM – CORRENT to 13.498 MJ/kg DM-ISARD) (P<0.05) and DE rabbits (12.977 MJ/kg DM-CAR-TOUCHE to 13.044 MJ/kg DM-ISARD) (P<0.05). We concluded that all 10-field pea genotypes are an excellent feedstuff for ruminants and non-ruminants animal and it could be supplied plain or included in concentrate feed because it is an excellent protein and energy supplement. It combines in the same grain high levels of crude protein and starch. Due to the low fat content is a very interesting pulse for pets' light diets.
Drafts by Carlos M G Reis
In marginal lands Opuntia ficus-indica could be used as an alternative fruit and forage crop. 25 ... more In marginal lands Opuntia ficus-indica could be used as an alternative fruit and forage crop. 25 The plant vigor and the biomass production were evaluated in Portuguese germplasm (fifteen 26 individuals from sixteen ecotypes) by non-destructive methods, two years following planting 27 in a marginal soil and dryland conditions. Two Italian cultivars ('Gialla' and 'Bianca') were 28 included in the study for comparison purposes. The biomass production and the plant vigor 29 were estimated by measuring the cladodes number and area, and the fresh and dry weight per 30 plant. We selected linear models by using the biometric data from 60 cladodes to predict the 31 cladode area, the fresh weight and the dry weight per plant. Among ecotypes, significant 32 differences were found in the studied biomass-related parameters and several homogeneous 33 groups were established. Four Portuguese ecotypes had higher biomass production than the 34 others, 3.20 Mg ha -1 on average, a value not significantly different to the improved 'Gialla' 35 cultivar, which averaged 3.87 Mg ha -1 . Those ecotypes could be used to start a breeding 36 program and to deploy material for animal feeding and fruit production. 37 38 39 model.
Hort. Sci. , 2018
Fruit production, as an elementary chemical characteristic of the fruit, was evaluated in 16 Opun... more Fruit production, as an elementary chemical characteristic of the fruit, was evaluated in 16 Opuntia ficus-indica Portuguese ecotypes cultivated in a marginal soil without tillage, in the second and third years after plantation. The O. ficus-indica ecotypes were compared with the Italian cultivars 'Bianca' and 'Gialla'. Significant differences were found among the O. ficus-indica ecotypes in biomass-related parameters and fruit yield, and different groups were established. Two spineless ecotypes (OFI-12 and OFI-13) had highest biomass production, with 9.9 Mg/ha dry matter on average. This was not significantly different from the 'Gialla' cultivar, which averaged 11.9 Mg/ha, for a density of 2,667 plants/ha, in the third year after plantation. Among Portuguese ecotypes, the fruit yields ranged from 2.4 to 10.1 Mg/ha fresh weight. The cultivars 'Gialla' and 'Bianca' had the highest fruit yield (13.8 and 13.6 Mg/ha fresh weight, respectively). The 'Gialla' cultivar and the group of ecotypes with orange pulp produced fruits of larger size and weight compared to the 'Bianca' cultivar and the group of ecotypes with white pulp.
Agronomy, 2018
The Opuntia spp., most likely few individuals, were introduced in the Iberian Peninsula in the be... more The Opuntia spp., most likely few individuals, were introduced in the Iberian Peninsula in the beginning of the 16th century, after the discovery of America, spreading afterwards throughout the Mediterranean basin. We analysed, for the first time, the genetic diversity in a set of 19 Portuguese Opuntia spp. populations from the species O. ficus-indica, O. elata, O. dillenii and O. robusta using nuclear microsatellite (nuSSR) markers. The Italian cultivars 'Bianca', 'Gialla' and 'Rossa' were included in the study for comparison purposes. The nuSSR amplifications produced from five to 16 alleles, with an average of 9.2 alleles per primer pair, and average polymorphism information content of 0.71. The estimated Dice coefficient among populations varied from 0.26 to 1.0, indicating high interspecific genetic diversity but low genetic diversity at the intraspecific level. The hierarchical clustering analysis revealed four major groups that clearly separated the four Opuntia species. Among the O. ficus-indica populations, two sub-clusters were found, one including the white pulp fruits (with cv. Bianca) and the other with the orange pulp ones and including the cv. Gialla, the cv. Rossa, and one pale yellow pulp population. No genetic differences were found between the inermis form, O. ficus-indica f. ficus-indica, and the rewilded spiny one, O. ficus-indica f. amyclaea. The dendrogram indicated that the clustering pattern was unrelated to geographical origin. The results revealed a low level of genetic diversity among the Portuguese populations of O. ficus-indica.
In Opuntia spp., the cladode tissues contain many polysaccharides and secondary metabolites that ... more In Opuntia spp., the cladode tissues contain many polysaccharides and secondary metabolites that interfere with obtaining high-quality deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), using currently available methods. To circumvent this problem, three commercial kits, three modified versions of the conventional cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method (CTAB) method and one combined method were tested in Opuntia ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. dillenii and O. elata species. We obtained a rapid and simple protocol that allows the extraction of DNA from all the tested species with good DNA yield and purity, namely, the combined method. With this method (DNeasy® Plant Mini Kit combined with the CTAB method), DNA yields from 13.2 ± 7.8 to 15.9 ± 11.3 µg g −1 of fresh tissue were obtained in the four Opuntia species. The purity, evaluated by the ratio A 260 /A 280 ratio, ranged from 1.67 ± 0.12 to 2.01 ± 0.25, revealing low levels of problematic metabolites. The extracted DNA quality was confirmed by amplifying a set of nuclear microsatellites obtained for the genus. Reliable reproducible bands and electropherogram profiles were obtained. The combined method has potential to be universal for good-quality DNA extraction in cacti, particularly in the Opuntia genus and other difficult-to-extract species.
Aust J Crop Sci. , 2024
Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] 2n=14, is an annual crop that belongs to the Fabaceae f... more Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] 2n=14, is an annual crop that belongs to the Fabaceae family and has a spring–summer growth cycle. This species has been assuming increasing importance among agro-industrial crops due to the high galactomannan content of its seeds for which a multitude of food and non-food applications have been developed. Guar is a viable rotation crop for growers in Mediterranean areas and can result in diversification in crop production systems. The effects of four alternating day/night temperature regimens on C. tetragonoloba seed germination were tested: (T1) 23/15 °C, (T2) 21/13 °C, (T3) 19/ 11 °C, and (T4) 17/09 °C with a 16/08 h light/dark photoperiod, respectively. Seeds from two guar cultivars (RGC-0936 and RGC-1066) were used. Treatments consisted of four replicates of 50 seeds each, arranged in a split-plot design with temperatures as the main plot and cultivars as the subplot. The results showed that lower temperatures reduced guar seed germination. The highest germination percentages were obtained at the 21/13 °C and 23/15 °C temperature regimens, while a significant drop in germination percentage occurred for the 19/11 °C treatment, and the lowest germination percentages were observed at 17/09 °C. No statistically significant differences were found between the two cultivars studied for seed germination percentages. The interaction effects among the different alternative temperature regimes on seed germination and guar cultivars were not statistically significantly different. The values obtained at the 21/13 °C temperature treatment allow us to conclude that this regimen is the minimum acceptable combination of temperatures to program the sowing date.
Ecologia Mediterranea, 2023
The Barrocal Park is a 40-ha geological park located at the edge of the city of Castelo Branco, P... more The Barrocal Park is a 40-ha geological park located at the edge of the city of Castelo Branco, Portugal, that features diverse granite land forms. The Barrocal Park is integrated into the classified territories of the Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark and the Tejo|Tajo Internacional Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The present study aimed to characterize the spontaneous flora of the Barrocal Park. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification of this region is Csa. The Barrocal landscape is characterized by fragments of climat ophilic forests of Quercus pyrenaica, associated with rocky granite outcrops. In the subserial stages, Adenocarpus lainzii, Adenocarpus complicatus, Cistus ladanifer, Cistus inflatus, Cytisus striatus, Cytisus multiflorus, Halimium umbellatum and Lavandula pedunculata predominate. The Arisaro simorrhini-Quercetum pyrenaicae association is the only climatophilic series present in the study
area. The plant communities comprise 132 plant species belonging to 108 genera and 45 families. The dominant Raunkiaer life form is therophytes (45.5%), followed by hemicryptophytes (22.7%), and geophytes (12.9%). Eight species are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, Adenocarpus lainzii, Antirrhinum graniticum, Asphodelus serotinus, Cytisus multiflorus, Digitalis thapsi, Ferula communis subsp. catalaunica, Ornithogalum concinnum and Sedum arenarium. Four invasive species were identified. Some of the native species have great potential as ornamental plants. Despite its main geoheritage value, the Barrocal park can also be valued for its spontaneous flora.
CERNAS-IPCB financiado por Fundos Nacionais atraves da FCT (Projeto PEst-OE/AGR/UI0681/2014)
Avaliação de ecótipos de figueira-daíndia (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) para produção de fruto.
Reis, C. M. G., Almeida, C. M., Peças, L. F. V. & Almeida, J. P. F. (2021). Yield evaluation of g... more Reis, C. M. G., Almeida, C. M., Peças, L. F. V. & Almeida, J. P. F. (2021). Yield evaluation of guar genotypes (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.) selected for high-density planting and mechanical harvesting. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 27 (5), 926–932 Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is an annual and self-pollinated crop with a spring-summer cycle that belongs to Fabaceae family. Guar has been assuming increasing importance among agro-industrial crops due to the high galactomannan content of its seeds. Fifteen unbranched genotypes selected for a high-density planting and mechanical harvesting were evaluated for agronomic and yield traits. Ten morphological traits were studied for the analysis of variance, correlation, path coefficient analysis and principal components. The analysis of variance exhibited statistically significant differences among genotypes for all traits studied. The seed plant yield ranged from 13.5 to 25.0 g with mean 19.2 g. The highest significant positive correlation w...
Reis, C. M. G., C. Gouveia, M. C. Vitorino, L. C. Gazarini, M. M. Ribeiro and F. Peres, 2017. Bio... more Reis, C. M. G., C. Gouveia, M. C. Vitorino, L. C. Gazarini, M. M. Ribeiro and F. Peres, 2017. Bioactive compounds and morphology in Opuntia spp. fruits from Portuguese ecotypes. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (6): 929–938 The Opuntia spp. has minimal soil and water requirements, and the O. fi cus-indica, in particular is sought to be an alternative for the Mediterranean region agricultural economy. The morphology, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of fruits were studied in twenty Portuguese ecotypes belonging to four Opuntia species (O. fi cus-indica, O. robusta, O. dillenii and O. elata). The ecotypes were compared with the O. fi cus-indica cultivars ‘Bianca’, ‘Gialla’ and ‘Rossa’. The fruits from Opuntia spp. ecotypes displayed variability in morphological and bioactive characteristics. Among O. fi cus-indica ecotypes, the orange pulp fruits were larger, heavier and had a higher percentage of pulp as well as a lower percentage of seeds compared to the white pulp fruits. How...
RODRIGUES, A. M., F. I. PITACAS, C. M. G. REIS and M. BLASCO, 2016. Nutritional value of Opuntia ... more RODRIGUES, A. M., F. I. PITACAS, C. M. G. REIS and M. BLASCO, 2016. Nutritional value of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes from Portuguese ecotypes. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 22: 40–45 The use of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes as a forage for ruminants has been very important in the semi-arid and arid regions of the world. O. ficus-indica cladodes can be fed to small ruminants especially in periods of the year when there is low quality and quantity of pasture. In Mediterranean regions like South of Portugal during the rainy season the availability of pasture is quantitatively and qualitatively satisfactory, but in critical times of the year the shortage and low nutritive value of forages causes decreased productivity in the ruminant's production of milk and meat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile of the cladodes from five different Portuguese ecotypes of O. ficus-indica, in comparison with cultivar " Gialla " , and also evaluate its potential use as a feed for ruminants. Among populations' significant differences were found in crude protein and ash content, and different groups were unfolded. In general, O. ficus-indica has a low content of DM, CP and NDF and high content in NFC and EM. Given the importance that DM, PB and the NDF have for nutrition and feeding of ruminants we conclude that O. ficus-indica can be used in feeding small ruminants provided that animals have access to dry forage and a feed source with high CP content. Used as fodder, O. ficus-indica seems to be an optional interesting feed for small ruminants in driest period of the year.
The aim of this study was to determine the dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude prote... more The aim of this study was to determine the dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), total sugars, starches and estimate the metabolizable energy (ME), in ruminants, pigs, poultry, horses and pets (dogs and cats) and digestible energy (DE) in rabbits from the 10 most productive field pea genotypes (Pisum sativum) obtained in a trial with 4 X 20 different genotypes (Project 0186_AGROCELE_3_E). The results (% DM-genotype) allowed us to state the following: all the 10 field pea genotypes grain were an important source of energy (cytoplasmic carbohydrates) with high percentages of soluble sugars (7.95% ISARD to 9.42% ENDURO) (P<0.05) and starch (38.63% LIVIA to 45.00% AUDIT) (P<0.05), low CF content (5.99% ISARD to 7.90% CARTOUCHE) (P<0 05), high CP (22.8% ENDURO to 26.1% CORRENT) (P<0.05), low levels of EE (0.69% LIVIA to 1.62% CHEROKEE) (P<0.05), ideal level of ME ruminants (11.844 MJ/kg DM-CHEROKEE to 11.883 MJ/kg DM-CORRENT) (P<0.05), ME pigs (14.683 MJ/kg DM-ISARD to 13.885 MJ/kg DM-CARTOUCHE) (P<0.05), ME poultry (11.540 MJ/kg DM-LIVIA to 12.868 MJ/kg DM-AUDIT) (P<0.05), ME horse (11.392 MJ/kg DM-CORRENT to 11.979 MJ/kg DM-AUDIT) (P<0.05), ME pets (13.116 MJ/kg DM – CORRENT to 13.498 MJ/kg DM-ISARD) (P<0.05) and DE rabbits (12.977 MJ/kg DM-CAR-TOUCHE to 13.044 MJ/kg DM-ISARD) (P<0.05). We concluded that all 10-field pea genotypes are an excellent feedstuff for ruminants and non-ruminants animal and it could be supplied plain or included in concentrate feed because it is an excellent protein and energy supplement. It combines in the same grain high levels of crude protein and starch. Due to the low fat content is a very interesting pulse for pets' light diets.
In marginal lands Opuntia ficus-indica could be used as an alternative fruit and forage crop. 25 ... more In marginal lands Opuntia ficus-indica could be used as an alternative fruit and forage crop. 25 The plant vigor and the biomass production were evaluated in Portuguese germplasm (fifteen 26 individuals from sixteen ecotypes) by non-destructive methods, two years following planting 27 in a marginal soil and dryland conditions. Two Italian cultivars ('Gialla' and 'Bianca') were 28 included in the study for comparison purposes. The biomass production and the plant vigor 29 were estimated by measuring the cladodes number and area, and the fresh and dry weight per 30 plant. We selected linear models by using the biometric data from 60 cladodes to predict the 31 cladode area, the fresh weight and the dry weight per plant. Among ecotypes, significant 32 differences were found in the studied biomass-related parameters and several homogeneous 33 groups were established. Four Portuguese ecotypes had higher biomass production than the 34 others, 3.20 Mg ha -1 on average, a value not significantly different to the improved 'Gialla' 35 cultivar, which averaged 3.87 Mg ha -1 . Those ecotypes could be used to start a breeding 36 program and to deploy material for animal feeding and fruit production. 37 38 39 model.