Effect of plant spacing and cutting intensity on the morphology andproductivity of forage cactus [<i>Opuntia stricta</i> (Haw.) Haw.]

The forage cactus cultivar Mexican elephant ear (MEE) [Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw.] has been widely used in the semi-arid of Brazil because its resistance to carmine mealybug. Therefore, it is necessary establish planting and harvesting management strategies for this cultivar. This study evaluated effect cutting intensity (preservation mother cladode, + primary cladodes) different densities (55 555; 27 777; 13 888 6 944 plants ha−1) on morphology productivity cv. MEE, 10-year-old cultivation under rainfed conditions. A split-plot design was where density allocated main plots sub-plots. Each treatment combination replicated four times. data were submitted ANOVA, Tukey’s test, principal component analysis at 5% (p < 0.05). Post-harvesting preservation cladodes promoted greater dry matter production (9.2 t ha−1 year−1), crop water accumulation (86.6 rainwater use efficiency (11.4 kg DM mm−1) 0.01). Primary positively influenced productive characteristics cactus, (0.72 m2) favoured These findings can guide cultivating MEE cactus.