OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CACTUS (OPUNTIA SPP.) IN ARID AND SEMIARID REGIONS

Cactus, a CAM plant, grows extensively in arid and semi-arid parts of the world. It possesses a very high water to dry matter conversion eff iciency and has immense economic value as fruit, vegetable, fodder, me dicine, etc. The importance of cactus pear as livestock feed has been discussed in detail, giving techniques for utilization as forage. Sinc e the quality of the cactus cladodes does not deteriorate on storage a nd as they maintain green color as well as vitamin A level, they can p rovide an excellent source of fodder during the drought periods. The r ed/orange fruits of the cacti are edible, range in weight from 110 to 160 g and contain 12 to 15% sugar. The cladodes of the nopalito cacti are used as vegetable. Some of these types an known to reduce blood su gar level in the human body. Cactus pear is also a source of red cochi neal dye and mucilage for binders and thickening agents. The status of recently introduced cactus pear clones in Indian arid and semi-arid r egions has been discussed.