Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development

Cochineal Crisis in Tigray: Advances in Management and Control

Kiros-Meles Ayimut — 2025-08-04

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) plays a crucial role in Tigray, Ethiopia, serving as a vital source of food, fodder, and household income. In 2004, the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus) was introduced with the intention of enhancing the economic value of cactus pear. However, the insect quickly became invasive, decimating vast areas of cactus pear and severely impacting the livelihoods of local communities. The rapid spread of the cochineal insect was largely due to a lack of prior knowledge about its biology and the absence of environmental impact assessments before its introduction. Additionally, the out-grower scheme associated with the cochineal trade contributed to the unregulated spread of the pest, both natural and through human activity. Favorable conditions—such as prolonged dry spells, an abundance of cactus pear, and a lack of natural predators—further accelerated the insect’s colonization and expansion. Attempts to control the infestation through community mobilization and insecticide applications proved largely ineffective. The suspension of cochineal harvesting is also believed to have worsened the situation. Today, over 75% of the cactus pear cultivation area is affected. Surveys conducted over several years have identified three indigenous predators of the cochineal insect, but their populations remain low. The laboratory evaluations of exotic natural enemies have not shown promising results. Similarly, efforts to find resistance within local cactus pear populations have been unsuccessful. On a more positive note, four introduced cactus pear varieties have demonstrated strong resistance in both laboratory and field conditions. In addition, some farmers have developed effective local management practices for cochineal control. The combined application of resistant cactus pear varieties and these locally developed practices offers a practical pathway to prevent destruction of the crop. Although complete eradication of the cochineal insect may not be feasible, the challenge presents a unique opportunity, producing cochineal under controlled conditions could position Ethiopia as a strong competitor in the global cochineal market. This paper explores the economic and environmental impacts of the cochineal invasion, reviews the responses and lessons learned, and presents recommendations for sustainable pest management.

Chemical and antioxidant analysis of peels from two red-purple cactus pears (Opuntia streptacantha) from Altos Norte of Jalisco, Mexico

César Eulogio Ortega Cardona — 2025-05-20

The cactus pears, fruits of the Opuntia genus, exhibit a wide variety of colors and feature a juicy, fleshy pulp with numerous seeds enclosed within a thick peel. The peel, which accounts for approximately 50% of the fruit's weight, contains valuable components, including pigments, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. However, it is currently regarded as a waste product. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the peel from "Redondilla" (Opuntia streptacantha cv. Dojä) and "Cardona" (O. streptacantha cv. Jocoquillo), which are abundant in the Altos Norte of Jalisco, Mexico. The fruit cultivars were collected and assessed for their physical characteristics, including size, weight, and peel content. The peels were then analyzed for their chemical composition (proximate composition, qualitative phytochemical profile, total phenolic and betalain contents), as well as their antioxidant properties (DPPH, iron-reducing power), using spectrophotometric techniques. The fruits of the "Cardona" cultivar were larger and heavier (83 g) than those of the "Redondilla" (40 g). In both cultivars, 54% of the fruit weight is derived from the peel. The moisture (88%) and protein (1.0%) content of the peel of both Opuntia cultivars was found to be similar. However, the total dietary fiber (41.4% DW) and ash (10.9% DW) contents were higher in "Redondilla". The phytochemical profile of by-products of both cultivars was found to be similar, with the presence of alkaloids, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. The aqueous extracts of the peels were used for antioxidant properties determination. The pigments content, comprising betacyanins and betaxanthins (131.86 and 102.81 mg/100 g DW, respectively), and the iron-reducing power (1,116.67 mmol TE/kg DW) were found to be greater in “Cardona”. In contrast, the total phenolic content (1,197.04 mg gallic acid eq./100 g DW) and DPPH antiradical capacity (39.19 mmol Trolox eq./kg DW) were higher in “Redondilla”. The results demonstrate that peels from Opuntia cultivars native to Altos Norte of Jalisco, Mexico, represent a source of biologically active molecules, including dietary fiber, betalains, and phenolic compounds with high antioxidant value and potential for use as antioxidant fiber and for the extraction and application of natural pigments and antioxidants in pharmaceutical, food and manufacturing industries with benefits in terms of health and sustainability.

Physicochemical and functional characterization of dehydrated cladodes from Cylindropuntia imbricata, a wild cactus

María de Lourdes Reyes-Escogido — 2025-05-10

Cylindropuntia imbricata, belonging to the cactus family, is not edible but exhibits characteristics similar to Opuntia spp (prickly pear). Information about C. imbricata is scarce, prompting this study to investigate the physicochemical and functional attributes of flour derived from cladodes aged 3 to 4 months. The analysis revealed that its proximate composition—moisture, ash, fats, total sugars, and fiber—mirrors that reported for various Opuntia spp. EDX analysis showed that Ca²⁺ and K⁺ are the most abundant ions, alongside Cl, P, Mg, S, and Al. The flour is notably rich in antioxidants, containing polyphenols (130.87±1.25 mg/100 g DW), flavonoids (232.68±2.18 mg/100 g DW), flavonols (84.20±0.15 mg/100 g DW), proanthocyanidins (29.52±0.05 mg/100 g DW), vitamin E (112.23±0.92 mg/100 g DW), tannins (133.20±0.31 mg/100 g DW), and chlorophylls (23.95±0.17 mg/100 g DW). A notable functional trait is its high-water retention capacity (12.94±0.03 g H₂O/g flour), which could significantly improve the texture of food products. These findings indicate that C. imbricata flour could serve as a functional ingredient in various foods or as a source of bioactive molecules for the pharmaceutical or food industries.

Growth promoting bacteria associated with Opuntia cholla rhizosphere

Gisela Alejandra Manriquez-Rivera — 2025-05-06

Opuntia is one of the most diverse and complex genera of the cactaceae family. This cactaceae has a wide distribution and presence in Mexico. The soil and plant microbiome, in natural ecosystems, play a crucial role on plant development under diverse conditions, impacting biodiversity across different regions. The isolation and characterization of these microorganisms allows the identification of those with agronomic potential; especially the microorganisms that act as plant growth promoters. Therefore, this study focused on the quantification and identification of bacteria with agronomic potential associated with the rhizosphere of Opuntia cholla. The samples of soil and roots were collected from different plants established at three different locations around La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico, with different soil properties (organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity). The samples were taken at 15 cm dept, removing the soil and other plants at the surface. The quantification and isolation of culturable nitrogen fixing bacteria were assessed. Also, phosphate solubilization capability and antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum were evaluated for the isolated strains. The strain genus identified with all capabilities mentioned above were Rhizobium, Bacillus, Pantoea, Paraburkholderia, Pseudomonas and Rhodococcus. El Carrizal showed the highest amount and ratio of nitrogen fixing bacteria strains with phosphate solubilization capability and antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum (11, out 82 isolated strains). Also, it was the area with the highest organic matter content (1.81%, average). The identification of rhizobacteria with multiple useful properties for agriculture is a major goal for sustainable development.

The Study on fruit and seed morphology and morphometry, seed phytochemicals, and germination characterization in three populations of Echinocereus stramineus (Cactaceae) at Ciudad Juárez Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico

Raquel González-Fernández — 2025-03-24

In this study, the fruit and seed morphological and morphometric parameters, the seed phytochemical content, and the germination process were analyzed for three populations of Echinocereus stramineus located at Juárez Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico. The morphometric variables were measured for each fruit and seeds obtained from each one. The seeds were subjected to three times of immersion in H₂SO₄ as scarification treatment, allowing the seed development for 21 days for the characterization of the germination process. The germination percentage, mean germination time, germination speed, and mean germination speed were calculated. The seedling morphometry was also measured for all treatments. The concentration of reducing sugars, total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP) were determined for seeds under basal conditions. The fruits from the three populations showed significant differences in length and width, with the Sierra of Ciudad Juárez (SCJ) population having the longest and widest fruits. The SCJ seeds had the highest mass values, while those from the Sierra of Presidio (SP) and SCP populations showed the highest length, length/width ratio, area, and perimeter. Immersion in H₂SO₄ improved the germination percentage in SCJ and SP seeds. This treatment also caused a gradual decrease in the mean germination time and a progressive increase in the mean germination rate and germination speed index across seeds from all three populations as the immersion time increased. Similarly, the seedling stem length and area in SP seeds increased with immersion time. The seeds from the SP population had the highest reducing sugar content, while those from the Sierra of Samalayuca (SS) population showed the highest levels of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and antioxidant activity.

Characterization of the geographic distribution, reproductive phenology and fruits of Stenocereus martinezii: a threatened columnar cactus

Bladimir Salomón-Montijo — 2025-03-24

Stenocereus martinezii (JG Ortega) Buxb. is a columnar cactus that produces fruits with commercial relevance (pitayas) and is classified as an Endangered (En) species on the IUCN Red List. It is currently considered endemic to the state of Sinaloa, Mexico; however, it could have a wider geographic distribution that has not been detected due to low collection efforts. It is also one of the least known Stenocereus species in terms of its biology, ecology, ethnobotany and nutritional composition. The objective of this work was to update the geographic distribution of S. martinezii, locate sites where it is used commercially, describe its reproductive phenology, and describe the physical and chemical composition of its fruits. For its distribution, field explorations were carried out in areas of western Durango and eastern Sinaloa from 2013 through 2024 and a database was built and compared to previous reports in biological collections. Phenology was monitored in three localities in 2017 and fruit composition was quantified from fruits collected in the Arroyo Grande community. The newly detected distribution area of S. martinezii was considerably larger than previously reported from literature and scientific collections, and this is the first report of this species in the state of Durango. At the edge of its range, S. martinezii is displaced by the other two commercially important pitaya cactus species in Sinaloa: Stenocereus montanus in the east and Stenocerus thurberi in the west. Reproductive phenology was unimodal, and productivity was higher in populations where fruits are harvested. Its reproductive stage occurs later than more southern species and earlier than more northern species, making it a food bridge for migratory bird and bat species. S. martinezii fruits are smaller but with a similar chemical composition with other fruits of this genera with commercial value.

Positive effect of shade and vermicompost application in the growth of pitahaya (Hylocereus ocamponis and Hylocereus undatus)

Ana María Castillo-González — 2025-02-21

Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) is a cactus of horticultural importance for its edible fruits. There is little information about the response of these plants to shading and fertilization conditions, which can limit pitahaya growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of shade (no shade, 35, and 50 % shade) and the application of vermicompost (0 and 3 kg) on plant growth, biochemical response and stem nutrient content in two species of pitahaya (Hylocereus ocamponis and H. undatus) grown in a greenhouse. The pitahaya cuttings were placed in 10 L pots with 12 kg of a mixture of mountain and leaf soil. The plants were maintained in a glass greenhouse under 12 different treatments, generated by the combination of three factors, species, shade, and fertilization based on vermicompost. The results showed that the total chlorophyll concentration of the stems was 23 % higher in plants grown under 35 % shade than in no shade. Hylocereus ocamponis had the highest growth and dry weight accumulation under 35 % shade, whereas Hylocereus undatus showed greater adaptability to cultivation under full sunlight and with 35 % shade. Hylocereus ocamponis was found to be more sensitive to high levels radiation. The nitrogen, Ca, Mg and Zn contents were 11, 21, 11 and 38 % lower in pitahaya stems grown under 50 % shade than in no shade. In general, vermicompost improved the contents of nutrients in the plants. The cultivation of two pitahaya species with 50 % shade is not recommended, given the lower accumulation of dry weight, growth and because of favors the etiolation.