Morphological characteristics and yield of Opuntia stricta and Nopalea cochenillifera in integrated crop systems with caatinga trees

The objective was to evaluate the structural and production characteristics of Opuntia stricta (Cactus pear Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) Nopalea cochenillifera Miúda) under different arrangements caatinga trees. study carried out at Teaching, Research Extension Unit (UEPE) Federal Institute Education, Science Technology Ceará (IFCE), Limoeiro do Norte Campus, state Ceará. experimental area consisted nine systems, arranged in strips Caatinga trees (woody component), with dimensions 6.0 × 100.0 m, directed north–south direction. Among tree strips, were implanted plots, according following treatments: cactus grown 46.15% woody cover (ICS46; 1418 per hectare), 30.00% (ICS30; 925 hectare) 17.64% (ICS18; 524 hectare). design completely randomized, a split-plot arrangement. Mean canopy height (H), number cladodes linear meter (NC) total forage biomass (TFB) evaluated, considering east, center west positions. lowest H NC found for east position. cultivated system ICS46 had TFB silvopastoral systems ICS30 ICS18 can be adopted without negatively affecting productive pears cochenillifera.