Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) genetic resources from central regions of Morocco

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) cultivation can be an alternative to cereal and forage crops in warm and arid lands of tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in mild-winter regions of temperate areas. The main products of this crop are the edible fruit for human consumption and the green biomass (cladodes) for livestock feeding during dry seasons. In order to improve the knowledge of cactus pear by local professionals (extension personnel, researchers) and farmers, and to promote its cultivation in the central area of Morocco, a research program on the genetic resources available in the region was carried out in 1999. A comparative characterisation and evaluation of the observed germplasm was performed in this preliminary study. Small and sparse orchards of cactus pear are very common in the central area of Morocco. Cactus pear cultivation and forestry use, however, are particularly concentrated in three regions: Casablanca, Rhamna, and Beni Smir. Few cultivars grow in each region and they differ from one area to another. Twentytwo accessions, mainly collected in these three regions, were characterised. The following plant characters were observed in each accession: vigour, size, shape, health status, fruit yield, cladode shape and prickliness, and fruit ripening time. Fruit and cladodes were also sampled from each accession for further morphological and biometric determinations, and for their propagation in a repository. Cladodes were measured for length, width, and thickness. The following fruit characters were evaluated: shape; peel and pulp colour; presence of prickles and glochides; entire fruit weight, and percentages of edible pulp, peel, and seeds; total soluble solids of juice; fruit length, width, and thickness; peel thickness. Many of the collected accessions are suitable for fruit production and to provide cladodes for livestock feeding.