RESEARCH STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA-FICUS-INDICA) FRUIT-QUALITY AND PRODUCTION

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) is cultivated worldwide for frui t production either in the subsistence agriculture of dryland areas or as a cash crop. However, little horticultural research has been devot ed to this species so far. Research needs related to reproductive biol ogy as well as productivity and orchard management are outlined. A bet ter knowledge of the environmental influence on reproductive biology a nd fruit quality, the control of fluctuations in plant cropping, as we ll as the reduction of seed number and size, are the major challenges for future research. Cactus pear will transcend the ethnical markets o nly if adequate marketing strategies can be promoted and fruit quality enhanced and standardized.