Nutritional quality and ecological impact of the use of Ferocactus peninsulae, Opuntia cholla and other desert plants as cattle forage in the Baja California peninsula

Authors: Vega-Villasante F.¹; Chiapa-Cortes C.I.⁴; Rocha S.²; Romero-Schmidt H.L.³; Nolasco H.¹

Source: Journal of Arid Environments, Volume 35, Number 3, 1997 , pp. 499-509(11)

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Abstract:

Nutritional quality of cactus and other desert plants, commonly used as feed for livestock in Baja California peninsula during dry seasons, was evaluated considering their general analysis, associated digestive enzymatic activity, presence of digestive enzymatic inhibitors and lectins. Even if nutritional quality of cacti as a protein source is low with respect to other plants, their water content and nutritional quality may be important as an emergency feed for cattle. The use of Opuntia cholla instead of Ferocactus species is proposed in order to protect endangered species.

Keywords: nutritional quality; cacti; desert plants; cattle feeding; ecological impact

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Laboratory of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Experimental Biology Division, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste, La Paz, B.C.S., 23000, Mexico 2: Laboratory of Proximal Analysis, Experimental Biology Division, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste, La Paz, B.C.S., 23000, Mexico 3: Environmental Impact Department, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste, La Paz, B.C.S., 23000, Mexico 4: Department of Veterinary, Instituto Tecnologico de Sonora, Cd. Obregon, Sonora, Mexico

Publication date: 1997-01-01