THE EVALUATION OF CACTUS PEAR CULTIVARS IN THE CENTRAL FREE STATE - P. L. Avenant  & H. J. Fouché 

Agricultural Research Council, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa

Cactus pear is very well-adapted to low rainfall conditions. In the central Free State where rainfall is the most defining environmental factor, cactus pear can play a valuable role in supplementing the fodder flow of stock farmers during the dry and critical period in early spring. As value-adding the large amount of fruit produced can be marketed or added to the fodder to increase quality. Due to the fast growing nature of cactus pear, they  produce a large amount of fodder in one  growing season, up to 80 t/ha of cladodes or 8 t/ha of dry material per year. When fertilized, cactus pear can reach a crude protein of up to 12%. There is great variation between the different cultivars and in the past, research mainly emphasised the fruit production side. There is therefore the need for more research into fodder production of cactus pears and their adaptability to different climatological zones. A trial of most of the available cultivars of cactus pear in South Africa (42 cultivars) has already been established in November 2003. This investigation will evaluate cactus pear cultivars in terms of their adaptability, and fodder and fruit potential whereby a sustainable fodder flow programme for stock farmers in the central Free State will be provided.