VARIATION IN COMPONENTS OF THE RIPE FRUIT AMONG FORMS OF NOPAL (Opuntia spp) TUNERO

Abstract

This study is part of a research project oriented to the evaluation of prickly pear forms in wild and cultivated populations, in the Plateau Potosino-Zacatecano and surrounding states. The results revealed a large variation in fruit weight and in the proportion
of their components (peel, pulp and seeds). The highest weight of the fruit (239.5 g) and edible part (pulp, 152.1 g) was observed in cultivated prickly pear populations, while in the wild populations the smallest fruit (35.7 g) and edible part weights (11.7 g) were registered. lntermediate values in both fruit and edible part weights were observed in populations of "nopaleras de solar" (located in back yards of rural homes). Regarding to the variation in prickly pear forms, these were more abundant in nopaleras de solar than in the cultivated and wild populations. These results allow us to suggest that the prickly pear forms utilized in the cultivated plantations were obtained through a process of empiric selection, carried out by the people of the arid zones, using the variation existing in the back yards of their homes. Some aspects related with the future breeding strategy in prickly pear are also discussed.