Seed germination studies on cactus pear (Opuntia sp.)

Abstract

Cactus pear – the common name for various species of the genus Opuntia (L.) Mill – is extensively grown as food and animal feed crops in many parts of the world (Barbera, 2). Plants of this genus grow particularly well under arid and semi-arid conditions. Because of the simplicity of vegetative propagation by stem cuttings, this method has been widely adopted for establishing commercial orchards. Yet, seed propagation is still used as a specialized tool for breeding purposes and for the propagation of pathogen-free plant material. Cactus pear seeds contain apomictic embryos, and thus propagation by seed may yield true-to-the-type offspring, which can be used for virus cleaning and rejuvenation (Mondragon-Jacoba, 8).