Cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) species and cultivars cultivated in the world: A review
Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine Horticultural Complex of Agadir Morocco.
Review
Open Access Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2022, 03(02), 092–102.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjms.2022.3.2.0049
Publication history:
Received on 12 April 2022; revised on 17 May 2022; accepted on 20 May 2022
Abstract:
Cactus pears are succulent plants resistant to drought and Opuntia Mill. Is the typical genus. This genus includes a group of cactus pear plants which are economically the most important in the cactus family. Cactus pears are originated from Mexico. Adapted to harsh and dry conditions, they are cultivated in the arid and semi-arid areas of the world and are now part of the agricultural systems of these areas. Opuntia ficus−indica (L.) Mill. is the most important economic species worldwide. It is cultivated in many countries of the world and naturalized in certain regions, as in the Mediterranean basin. The spineless species O. ficus−indica resulted from a long selection process in cultivation, and several Opuntia species are mentioned to be its ancestors, in particular O. megacantha Salm−Dyck and O. streptacantha Lem. Several taxa are often confused due to ambiguous descriptions and a lack of types. Molecular studies are a useful tool in plant taxonomy, and most of the taxa in the subfamily Opuntioideae are polyploid and Opuntia species are tetra, hexa or octoploids taxa. This paper describe the most important anatomical and morphological characters of cactus pears as cladodes, flowers and fruits, and the area of their cultivation and distribution in the world is presented. The taxonomic features of the genus Opuntia are highlighted and DNA molecular analysis of its taxa is discussed. Species and cultivars cultivated in the most producing countries are described.
Keywords:
Opuntia; Opuntia ficus-indica; Cactus Pear; Species; Cultivars; Arid Areas
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