MARCH 2005 ISSUE N' 9 ACTUSNET © FAO INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION NETWORK ON CACTUS er oem Gel Gee cactus lf for Human consumption @... Ss AIFS aunda 3-4-8 How come we ueor >? Mums for Mums August 2004 Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragéres INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE DE TUNISIEis Wee Vee hese oR REG wo Vmeaei er (ofeTo) ag aT UEC A AALS rR Gt Toa Lae General Coordinator Dr. A. Nefzaoui, Tunisia. E-mail: Nefzaoui.ali@iresa.agrinet.tn Regional Coordinators North America Dr. Jesus Fuentes, Mexico. E-mail: jesus_fuentes@hotmail.com South America Dr. Judith Ochoa, Argentina. E-mail: judith@unse.edu.ar Mediterranean Basin Dr. Enza Chessa, Italy. E-mail: Chessa_i@uniss.it Sub-Saharan Africa Mr. Johan Potgiter, South Africa E-mail: jpot@mweb.co.za, potgieterjp@agricho.norprov.govza West Asia Dr. Gurbachan Singh, India E-mail: gsingh@satyam.net.in Working groups Coordinators Plant Genetic resources collection, conservation & evaluation Dr. Candelario Mondragon-Jacobo, Mexico. E-mail: jacobo77@hotmail.com and rebe27_ 19@yahoo.com Fruit production Dr. Giovanni Nieddu, Italy. E-mail: gnieddu@uniss it Agro-industries & post-harvest Dra. Carmen Saenz , Chile. E-mail: csaenz@abello.dic.uchile.cl Forage & rangeland Mr. D. Cordeiro dos Santos, Brazil. E-mail: djalma@ipa.br Cochineal Dr. Liberato Portillo, Mexico. E-mail: Iportill@MAIZ.CUCBA.UDG.MX Pests & diseases Dr. Jaime Mena, Moxico. E-mail: mena@inifapzac.sagarpa.gob.mx Pitayas and Pitahayas Dra. Yolanda Ortiz-Hernandez, Mexico. E-mail: Donajiortiz1@yahoo.com Biology Dr. Francisco Campos, Brazil. E-mail: bioplant@ufc.br Nopalitos Dr. Ricardo Valdez, Mexico. E-mail: vacrida@hotmail.com Socio-economics & rural development Dr. Claudio Flores, Mexico. E-mail: Nopal00@prodigy.net.mxEditorial Obviously the last six months were full of exiting events where cactus crop was “under the spot" in several countries going from Mexico to Asia, passing by Africa. The Vth International Congress on Cactus was a rather successful event, in which more than 250 people interacted together for a week at the very famous university of Chapingo, Mexico. Thanks to FAO, new Technical Cooperation Projects were successfully implemented in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Similar projects were prepared for other African countries and are in ‘the pipeline" for approval ICARDA was strongly involved in promoting cactus crop in West Asia and North Africa for the past five years. During the current year, ICARDA helped Mauritania, Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia and Iran by sending cactus material and by providing the necessary know how for planting and uses. In Tunisia, an important meeting was held in the region of Kasserine where the largest cactus plantation exists. The event was highly successful, thanks to the active role of the FAO Cactus Network, the significant input of the Tunisian Ministry of Scientific Research and to the kind collaboration of scientists from Mexico, Chile and Italy. The Network was eagerly approached by several partners and emerging cactus producing countries for technical assistance in developing cactus crop production. The impact of the network in expanding cactus crop to countries, which we never thought that would be concerned, was incredible. The network is increasingly focusing efforts aiming to contribute to natural resources conservation, combat desertification and to meet the challenge of poverty alleviation in arid zones, such as East and West Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and South East Asia. The testimonies sent by the nun Hermana Jovita Gomez Vences related to Angola case and by the “Mums for Mums”, which is a small locally charitable community in Ethiopia, are good examples on how cactus crop can help alleviating poverty and fight hunger. Thanks to all network members and to the enthusiasm of Dr Enrique Arias, we are smoothly achieving our main mandate with very low input. Dr. Ali Nefzaoui FAO-CactusNet General Coordinator CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 » MARCH 2005Scientific and Technical Contributions Characterization of three Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Miller cultivars grown at Cap Bon (Tunisia) and their re-blooming capacity M.K. Aounallah*, A. Jebari* and A. Nefzaoui** * Département des sciences des productions végétales, Institut National Agronomique De Tunisie, ‘ounallah.karim@volla.r ** INRAT, Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragéres, rue Hédi Karray, 2048, Ariana, Tunisie Abstract Compared to other cultivars, the matu- rity stage of "Gialla of Soliman' is later. While, the cv "Rossa" presents the best fruit quality and the cv *Gialla" has the highest rate of reblooming (% rebloo- ming, number of flowers per cladode). In addition, significant positive correla- tion between the delay of treatment and the quality of fruit has been observed. However, there is a negative correlation between treatment and the number of fruits per plant for all cultivars. Introduction Opuntia ficus indica was introduced to North Africa by the end of the XVIth century. It was used primarily as hedge. Spineless cultivars of Opuntia ficus in- dica were introduced to Tunisia more recently (early XXth century) and since the areas planted increased dramati- cally. This increase was mainly due to Government subsidies through several international development projects which lasted for more than 15 years du- ring the sixteenth and the seventeenth (Monjauze et Le Houérou, 1965; Le Houérou 2002). In addition, the national strategy for rangeland improvement that took place since the beginning of the nineteenth has contributed to the expansion of this crop to arid and semi- arid regions of the country. The total area planted is estimated to 600,000 ha. The area strictly used for fruit production was located mainly in the CACTUSNET © ISSUE N- 9 6 maRcH 200s EX *Cap Bon" region where "scozzolatura’ technique is being used for decades. Intensive cactus fruit production using advanced techniques has been recently developed in new areas in the North East region, but also in the Centre West region, namely Kasserine. Opuntia ficus indica is characterized by its capacity to re-bloom and pro- duce fruits during autumn when sco- zzolatura is applied. The technique of scozzolatura consists of removing the spring flush of flowers and cladodes to get @ second bloom, causing the fruits to ripen in October to November, 2 to 3 months later than the summer crop Barbera and Inglese, 1993). The physiological stage of applying scozzolatura has a significant impor- tance on re-blooming (Aounallah et al., 2002, 2004; Barbera et al., 1991, 1992, 1993; Inglese et al., 1994, 1998, 2002) The objective of this investigation was to characterize three Opuntia ficus indi- ca cultivars grown in Cap Bon Tunisia, namely cy « Rossa» or « Habari », cv « Gialla » and cv « Gialla de Soliman » and to monitor their ability to bloom during autumn following scozzolatura application. Materiel and methods Experiments were conducted during 2002-2003 crop season at Mraissa or- chard (Longitude 10°30, Latitude 36°45, altitude 30 m a.s.l.) located at Cap Bonregion, Tunisia. Nine years old planta- tion of cv « Gialla », cv « Gialla de Soli- man » and cv « Rossa » was monitored (picture 1) The parameters monitored were the plant vigour, the shape and size of the cladodes, the fruit characteristics (shape, calibre, flash colour, % flash, number of seeds, etc.) as well as fruit cycle (budding, blooming, ripening). To meet this purpose, two phenological stages were identified for scozzolatura application (table 1) leading to the fol- lowing treatments (T) * TO: natural cycle (no scozzolatura) *T1: scozzolatura applied at appari- tion of petals (40 %) +72: scozzolatura applied at disap- pearance of petals (100%) For each treatment and for each culti- var, 10 plants were randomly used. Five cladodes per plant were identified to monitor the above mentioned charac- teristics. Statistical analysis was achieved using ANOVA. Results and discussion General characteristics of cultivars The three cultivars showed a good vi- gour with large and green cladodes. Fruits from Gialla and Gialla Soliman are yellow, while Rossa cultivar is red. The other morphological characteris- tics are quite similar to all cultivars. Opuntia ficus indica is characterized by a spaced out bud burst, which varies greatly according to cultivars. Indeed, bud burst of the two cultivars « Gialla » and « Rossa » is quite comparable while it is happening 20 days later for « Gialla of Soliman » cultivar (picture 4). This delay has an impact of bloo- ming and ripening (Table 3). In fact, the ripening of cv Gialla S shows a delay of 15 days compared to the other two cultivars. The duration of fruit develop- ment is about 50 days, independently of the cultivar type. Re-blooming ability of cultivars Time needed for fruits development increased when scozzolatura is applied later (table 3). Indeed, time needed for fruit development increased by 30 % for treatment T2 compared to the control. This is due to climatic changes during ripening period and mainly to tempera- ture decrease during September and October. Such result has been already reported by Barrera (2004), Nobel (1986), and Nobel et al. (2002). Blooming rate Blooming rate (BR) is defined as the ra- tio between the number of flowers ob- tained during the second blooming flux happening during summer and those obtained during the first blooming flux (spring). Results recorded show differences between cultivars and stage of sco- zzolatura application (figure 2). For the three cultivars, BR declines when scozzolatura is applied later, with an average decrease (T1 vs. TO) of 34%, 43 % and 39%, for cv Gialla, cv. Rossa and cv Gialla of Soliman, respectively. The decrease of the blooming rate is due to the inhibition effect of endoge- nous gibberellins produced by the fruit seeds (Inglese et al 1998b). Fruit's size Results show clearly that the delay of scozzolatura application increases the fruit's sizes of the three cultivars (figure 3). Compared to the control, treatment T2 leaded to a 52 % increase of fruit size. In addition, the proportion of fruit size superior to 150 g increases signifi- cantly (figure 4). This positive effect of scozzolatura ap- plication on fruit size is due to the CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2008_reduction of the number of fruits per cladode and to the favourable climatic conditions of late and early autumn (September and October’. Such clima- tic conditions are more appropriate to fruit development than excessive sum- mer heats. Negative and strong correlation (r= -0.89) is observed between fruit load per cladode and fruit size. The amount of carbohydrates produced by the cla- dodes is being dispersed to fruits, and competition between fruits is higher when their number increases (Barrera, 2004, Inglese 2002; Nobel, 1984). Fruit yield An average fruit yields decrease of 60% is reported for the three cultivars, when scozzolatura is applied (figure 5). This decrease is obviously due to the de- crease of re-blooming rates. Also, this statement is reinforced by the negative correlation obtained between fruit yield and number of fruits per cladode (?= 0.78). Nevertheless, the commercial yield (fruit size higher than 150 g) is less affected by scozzolatura treatment (fi- gure 6). Conclusions This investigation allows the following conclusions: - The three cultivars grown at Cap Bon, Tunisia have a good re-blooming ability and allow a delay of fruit produc- tion, well appreciated by consumers. - The delay of scozzolatura application has a negative impact on the re-bloo- ming rate and fruit yield, and a positive effect on fruit size. More investigations are needed to study the effect of fruit thinning and endoge- nous gibberellins (AG3) on reblooming. References Aounallah, K., A. Nefzaoui, TBettaieb and T. Tissaoui. 2002. Effet de l'application de la "scozzolatura" sur la refloraison et la préco cité de la production de fruits chez le figuier de barbarie (Opuntia ficus indica (L) Mil. 9eme journée de IIRESA Aounallah. M.K ., T. Bettaieb, T Tissaoui and A. Nafzaoui. 2004. La refloraison et la fructifica tion chez le figuier de barbarie (Opuntia fi cus-indica (L) Mill). Topicultura/ Agri-Over seas. In press Barbera, G..F. Carimi, and P Inglese. 1991. The reblooming of prickly pear Opuntia Ficus- indica (L.) Miller: Influencence of removal @ and cladode load on yield and fruit ripening . Avances in Hor ticul tural Science 2: 77-80. Barbera, G.,F. Carimi, and P Inglese. 1992a. Past and present role of prickly-pear Opun tia ficus-indica (L) Mill. In the agriculture of Sicily. Economic Botany 46: 10-20. Barbera, G..F. Carimi, and P Inglese. 1993b. Effects of GA3 and shading on return bloom of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill). Journal of the South African Society for Horticultural Science 3: 9-10. De la Barrera, E., and PS, Nobel. 2004. Carbon and water relations for developing fruits of Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Miller, including effects of drought and gibberellic acid. Jour nal of Experimental Botany, Vol 55, N°397: 119-729. Inglese, P,, G, Barbera, and F Carimi. 1994. The effect of different amounts of cladode removal on reblooming of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Miller). Journal of American Horticultural Science 69: 65. Inglese, P, T. La Mantia , |. Chessa, and 6. Nieddu. 1998b. Evolution of endagenous gibberellins at diffetent stages of flowring in relation to return bloom of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica L.Miller,) Scientia Horticulture 73: 45-51. Inglese, P,F Basile, M. Schirra. 2002. Cactus pear fruit production. In: Nobel PS, ed. Cacti biology and uses Berkeley, California: Uni versity of California Press, 163-183. Le Houérou. H.N., 2002, Cacti (Opuntia spp) as a Foldder Crop for Marginal Lands in the Mediterranean Bassin. Acta Horticultu rae. N°581: 21-46. Monjauze, A., and H. B. Le Hougrou, 1968. CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005Le rle des Opuntia dans 'écono mie agricole Nord Africaine. Extrait du Bulletin de Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agriculture de Tunis 8-9 85-194. Nobel, PS. 1988. Environmental biology of agaves and cacti. Cambridge University ie w Yor Prose Naw Yor ‘Cy Rossa Cv Gialla of Soliman Picture 1. Opuntia ficus indica cultivars used for the investigation | Nobel, RS. and E. G. Bobich, 2002. Environ mental biologie. In: Nobel PS, ed, Cacti biology and uses Berkeley, California: University of California Press, 57-74 ‘Table 1, Timetable for scozzolatura application Gialla 14 June Rossa 1@June Gialla of Soliman, SJuly ‘Table 2. General characteristics ofthe three cultivards, ry Cry Corey Eeimart) Plant vigour +++ +H +e Cladode = Lenght (em) 426 +81 435273 42.2275 = Width (em) 215259 20,8 +42 20,6 +5.2 ~ Colour green green green - Shape Elliptic Ettiptic Elliptic = Number of spines per glochids 0 ° 0 Fruit Color yellow red yellow Shape elliptic elliptic elliptic Number of glochids high high high + Size 130 134 128 Se flesh st7 59.2 58.4 Taste +tt ‘Table 3. Variation of blooming and ripening duration according to scorzolatura treatment and cultivars Deen Cultivars Ce aes ee Comrie 20% | 18mey | 20juy | 19june | 2Baugust | Tu | 14a0nt ciata | 50%] june | 28july | 26lune | tSsept | 19july | oct ed eeeperoma elders [cece pay — |. aveant| =< ]ay jose 20% | some | 2juy | asjune | s0angust | ajuy | 1esent Rossa | 50% | Tiune | august | zrjune | 18sept | 18juy | oct 20% | 20iune | t8august | Tuy | 28sept | 22july | 28oct ciate | 2% | tOiune | t2august | 19july == | aajuly | 180ct Sultan | 80% | 20june | 25august | 20july 2oct | 27 jullet | 28 oct 90% | 28june | Ssept | 26july 1Toct Saugust | 15nov CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 ® MARCH 2005Figure 2 Frit ste isiibuton Figure 3 rats yea Figure 4 Amount of “good quality rlts 150 gh haat aw CACTUSNET ¢ ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005The nopal: use and potentialities in Cuba Alicia Rodriguez Fuentes, PhD National Botanic Garden of Cuba. University of Havana Introduction The Republic of Cuba belongs to the West Indies. It is defined as an archipe- lago constituted by Cuba, the main and largest island with 105 007 km2, Isla de la Juventud with 2 200 km2 and many adjacent keys with 3 715 km2 of total area. Cuba is located in the center of the Caribbean Sea and its nearest areas are: La Espafiola at 77 km, Jamayca at 140 km, Florida, EE. UU. at 180 km and Yucatan, Mexico at 210 km (figure 1) The Antilles, the insular territory where Cuba belongs, has numerous biophysi- cal (soil, clime) and social-economics characteristics that define it as an homogeneous region. Its insularity, geographical localisation and geologi- cal history make this area one of the main evolutionary center of diversity in the world with 12 000 to 15 000 vascular plant species (Howard, 1977 cited by Toledo, 1985). The Cuban native flora is estimated in 6 500 specie, 3 445 of them are endemic (53% of the native flora). This number should increase if it is considered that the 90% of the new reported species are endemic (Borhidi, 1977). This percentage of endemism is considered one of the highest in the world and the highest within the An- tilles if it is compared with the other Antilles islands (table 1). Caribbean, Neotropical and Pantropical elements in decreasing order constitute the other plants of the Cuban vascular flora (47%). CACTUSNET * ISSUE N* 9 # MARCH 2005 Table 1. Percentage of ding to Howard (1977, cited by Tole “Cuba La Espanola 3T Jamayca 28,30 Puerto Rico: 13 Lesser Antillas i 912 The Cuban flora is distributed in 28 for- mations and complexes of vegetation. According to the number of endemic species the most important of them are the vegetation types that grow on ser- pentine and limestone soils. The family Cactaceae is represented in the Cuban flora by 19 native and natura- lised genera and 60 taxa 35 of them are endemic (58,3%), 14 are native and 9 are so cultivated that can be considered as naturalised. Table 2 shows the 60 Cac- taceae faxa including endemic, natives and naturalised. Other cactus species are cultivated in the country but in a lesser degree. Nopal species belongs to the Opuntioideae botanical subfamily that is represented in the Cuban flora by 4 genus: Consolea, Cylindropuntia, Nopalea and Opuntia. The genus Consolea grows exclusively in the Antilles and includes among 10 and 11 taxa, 4 of them grow in Cuba being 3 endemic: C. macracantha Gri- seb., C. moniliformis subsp, guantana- mana and C. nashii subsp. gibarensis. The other species C. monilliformis is shared with The Bahamas. All of the species have so many spines and grow 30 slow that they are used only for orna- mental purposes (figure 2) Cylindropuntia comprises only one spe- cies: C. hystrix, an endemic taxonrestricted to a narrow belt at the south coast of Guantanamo province in the south-eastern region of the island (Fi- gure 3). Some authors (Britton & Rose, 1920; Alain, 1953, 1969) considered that the Nopalea species occurring in Cuba (WN. cochenillifera and N. auberi) are not native and were probably introduced for ornamental purposes at his middle of XVIll century, At present NV. coche- nillifera is so intensively cultivated as ornamental in gardens and yards that can be considered as a naturalised spe- cies (figure 4). Opuntia is represented in the Cuban flora by 6 taxa, 2 natives (Opuntia stricta var. stricta and O. stricta var. dillenit), 3 cultivated as ornamentals (0. strep- tacantha, O. tuna and ©. ficus-indica) and 1 locally endemic (0. militaris) of the Guantanamo province that shares its distribution area with Cylindropun- tia hystrix (figure 5). Opuntia stricta var. stricta is restricted to the west part of the island and O. stricta var: dillenit grows all over the country. Both va- rieties prefer to live in the desert and semi-desert formations like rocky and sandy coastal vegetation and "haystack hill’ vegetation complex (Capote & Be- razain, 1984) but their ecological plas- ticity is so great that they tolerate the humidity (in mangroves) and can grow even in epiphytic and epipetric ways. Something about history It is quite possible that Cuban cactus and others from La Espanola and Ja- mayca probably Melocactus and Opun- tia species were the first species of the cactus family that arrived to the Old World as a part of the plants brought by Christopher Columbus to the Catholics Majesties (Kupper, 1928). The appearance of these plants and their uses by American natives was compiled by Fernandez de Oviedo and Valdés, the first chronicler of the New World, in his interesting book “Historia General y Natural de las Indias, Islas y Tierra Firme de la Mar Océano’ writ- ten in 1535, In that book Fernandez de Oviedo referred the use of nopal by the Antilles natives in colouring their faces (today we know that they use the cochi- neal and not the nopal itself). In Silves- tre de Balboa's book entitled "Espejo de Paciencia" written in 1608 and conside- red the first Cuban book, there is a refe- rence about the consumption of prickly pears as fresh fruit in Cuba *...from the lands that surround the villages (the young girls) come bringing mehi and tobacco, mameyes, pineapple, prickly pears and avocados, bananas and ma- meyes and tomatoes". However, the consumption of prickly pears as fresh fruit was replaced by other tropical fruits. The abundance of nopal plants (called "tunas’ by Cuban people) in a large area in the east region of the island, gave the name "Las Tunas" to a province of Cuba, whose capital is Victoria de Las Tunas. Figure 6. At present the use of nopal by the Cu- ban people is restricted to medicine, ornamental, hedges, magic character as “labour and offers" in Santeria cult, confection of calcium oxide paints, co- lorant and confection of wines. Medicine The parts of the plant used by the peo- ple vary but in general they prefer the stems or cladodes (table 3). Figure 7 shows the way in which “cataplasmas" are applied, The stem or cladode is di- vided by the middle and placed on the skin then clipped with a bandage or a bbon Ornamentals The most cultivated species as orna- mental is Nopalea cochenillifera fol- lowed by 0. ficus-indica, O. streptacan- tha and O. tuna. Nopalea auberi, OQoun- tia strcita var stricta, O. stricta var. CACTUSNET ¢ ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005dillenii and Opuntia microdasys are cul- tivated too. The nopal is a frequent element of “rocky gardens’ together with other succulent plants. These rocky gardens are very common in hotels located in coastal zones (figure 8). Live edges It is very common to find large speci- mens of Nopalea cochenillifera all over the country as hedges to demarcate back yards and gardens mainly in the eastern region probably because these plants grow fast and don't need intense cultural requirements (figure 9). Magic character as “labour and offers" in Santeria cult Popularly, the people laid a magical character to nopals. It is estimated that between XVI and XVIII centuries were introduced in Cuba more than a million of Africans of 84 different ethnic groups, and that explain the great incidence of the African cultures in the Cuban cultu- re (Fuentes-Fiallo, 1992; Roig, 1974). The African slaves brought their knowledge on the use of the plants from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, assimilated the properties of the Cuban plants and inserted them in their remedies, cults and ceremonies. Three cults with African origin and with a great use of vegetal elements are pre- sent in Cuba: the Santeria (Ocha Ruler), the Secret Society Abakua and the Palo Monte (Conga Ruler). They have the common credence in the spiritually of the forest in which they believe live the same ancestral divinities and powerful spirits from Africa. The nopal is used in “labour and offers" in the Santeria cult to honor some of the divinities (figure 10). Nopal species are used too as amulets or guards to counteract the effect of the “bad eyes", that means to counteract CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 © the "bad wishes or actions" of enemies. It is possible to find on the roofs of hou- ses in construction pots with cultivated nopal plants as an amulet to guarantee the successful ending of the construc- tion. The magical character is applied in popular medicine too. There is belief that persons with an abnormal grow of calcanean bone can make it disappear marking the footprint in a cladode of any Opuntia species then the cladode is cutted (following the footpring) and exposed to the sunlight until it is com- pletely dry. According to this credence when the cladode is completely dry the calcanean bone is cured. Confection of calcium oxide paints The abundant mucilage of the nopal is frequently used as an impermeable element in the preparation of domestic calcium oxide paints. First, the cal- cium oxide is mixed in water and then fragments of Opuntia stems are added and stirred. After a week of repose the mixture is passed through a cloth being thus ready to paint interior and exterior walls. As colorant and wines confection The fruits of Opuntia stricta var. dillenii are small in comparison with commer- cial species used to produce prickly pears, however they contain a high le- vel of sugar and a beautiful deep purple color, Because of that they are appre- ciated in the confection of domestic wines and were used as cosmetic in local carnivals (Alain, 1953). At present, the wine confection is the only way in which the nopal is used by Cuban peo- ple in human feeding. The nopal in the ar al and human feeding in Cuba In spite of the references about the uti- lisation of the prickly pear as fresh fruit, they were substituted by other MARCH 2005 __tropical fruits, perhaps since the XVII century. However, in Cuba exist like in other tropical islands with a large and narrow configuration a wide extent of dry places considered as semi-desert areas which are located in the costal belt of the island specially in Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo provinces (with an average lesser than 700 mm of annual precipitation). This climatic condition makes these places ideal to the implementation of nopal crops for human and animal feeding. In the last 20 years some efforts have been made to introduce the cultivation of nopal in Cuba following two funda- mental directions: animal and human feeding. The introduction of nopal crops was attempted in some areas of the pro- vince of Guantanamo in 1980. Never- theless was in 2000 when the Ministry of Agriculture through the Institute of Research of Tropical Fruits Culture with FAO support implemented the first nurseries for plant propagation to be cultivated in zones of Granma (Pilén) and Guantanamo provinces (Imias and San Antonio del Sur) (figure 11). The first species selected to be used was Opuntia ficus indica. To propitiate the use of nopal in animal feeding by far- mers and people numerous informative conferences and talks were given and a demonstrative document explaining the benefits of the use of nopal was dis- tributed among the inhabitants of the selected areas (figure 12). The first re- sults were obtained and they have ser- ved to know the best way to implement same experiences in other dry zones of the country. Human feeding The first steps to introduce nopal in hu- man feeding began with the realisation of the First Workshop of Alimentary Culture Cuba-Mexico in 1991, in Havana CACTUSNET City, During the Workshop some confe- rences and demonstrations were given by Mexican specialists from UNAM (Universidad National Auténoma de Mexico) and a Culinary Competition to expose different meals made with no- pal, was celebrated (figures 13 and 14). Later, in 1992, the restaurant “El Bambu" was created in the Japanese Garden area of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba, it was the first "ecological" res- taurant of the country and allowed toa group of enthusiastic nutritionists and botanists to implement the experiences acquired in the First Workshop of Ali- mentary Culture Cuba-Mexico. The res- taurant offers regularly different meals made with nopal with a very good ac- ceptation by the consumers (figure 15). The success of this restaurant propitia- ted the creation of new vegetarian res- taurants all over the country. Numerous articles presenting the benefits of the use of nopal in the human diet (nopal contains high amounts of fibber and vitamin C) have been published in ma- gazines and newspapers (figure 16). To continue the same publicity strategy in 2003 took place the First International Workshop of Alimentary Education and Sustainability in Havana City. In that Workshop some conferences and talks about the importance of the use of no- pal in human feeding were offered and also a Culinary Competition took place. Asecond edition of this event is now in preaparation and will be celebrated in April 2005. Other research carried out in the country Several investigations on the taxonomy of native species to know better their potential use as a genetic resource to confer resistance to the commercial species have been done since 1983 (Gutiérrez, 1983; Gutiérrez & Rodriguez, 1990; Rodriguez & Gutiérrez, 1992, Ro ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005driguez, 1994). Preliminary investigations made by the Instituto Superior Politécnico "José A. Echeverria’ in Havana, proved that no- pal can be use as a primary coagulant to clear waters to human use. As a re- sult of these investigations was found that the utilisation of nopal fragments can remove more than 90% of muddi- ness and the 80% of the colour of the residual waters. The nopal can be used too to remove faecal particles from waters for animal consume (Bejerano & Machin, 2000). Conclusions The work done so far has created ba- sically the social bases to accept the use of nopal in human and animal feeding in . It is necessary on the ba- sis of the popular use to implement its exploitation in multiple directions, not only in alimentation but in cosmetics, medicament confection, clarification of residuals and to remove faecal particles in water for animal consume and in the preparation of paints at local levels. The wide and diverse use of nopal in other regions and countries and the enormous experience accumulated in the exploitation of this natural resource constitute a start point to implement its exploitation with commercial purposes in Cuba. References Alain, Hno. 1953: Flora de Cuba 3. Dicotile do- reas: Cactaceae. Contr. Mus. Hist. Nat Colegio «de la Salle» 13, Alain, Hno. 1969. Flora de Cuba. Suplemento. Caracas. Balboa, S. de. 1960 ("1608"). Espejo de Pacien cia. Universidad Central de Las Villas, Sta. Clara, Cuba, Bejerano, J. & Machin D. 2000. Estudio preli minar del uso de coagulantes naturales (tunas y sabila) en la clarificacion de agua para consumo humano. Tesis de diploma. Facultad de Ingenieria Quimica. Instituto Superior Politecnico “José A. Eche varria’. Borhidi, A. 1991, Phytogeography and Vegeta tion Ecology of Cuba, Budapest. Britton, N. & Rose, J. 1920. The Cactaceae |. Carnegie Institution. Washington. Capote, R. & Berazain, R, 1984. Clasificacién de las Formaciones Vegetales de Cuba. Revista Jard, Bot. Nac. La Habana 5(2):32-45. Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdés, F-.1851. Historia General y Natural de las Indias, Islas y Tierra Firme de la Mar Océano. Real Academia de Historia de Madrid, Fuentes-Fiallo, V. 1992. Plants in Afro-Cuban re ligions. In Hammer, K., Esquivel, M. & Knipf fer, H. (ed.)"y tienen faxones y fabas muy di versas de los nuestro..." Origen, evolution and diversity of cuban plants genetic resour ces 1, Gatesieben. Gutiérrez, J. E. 1983. Los cactos nativos de Cuba. Editorial Cientifico Técnica. La Ha bana, Gutiérrez, J. & Rodriguez, A. 1990. Las suculen tas del Jardin Botanico Nacional. Cactaceas Suculentas Mexicanas 35(3): 67-71. Kupper, W. 1928. Das Kakteenbuch. Berlin Martinez, J. |, Ramirez, J. & Rodriguez, B. 2000. Uso multiple de las cercas vivas en Cuba. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac, La Habana 21(2):275-282. Rodriguez, A. 1994, Cacti and another succu lent cultivated plants. In Hammer, K., Es quivel, M. & Knapffer, H. (ed.) 'y tienen faxones y fabas muy diversas de los nues tro..." Origen, evolution and diversity of Cuban plants genetic resources 3. Gates leben, Rodriguez, A. & Gutiérrez, J. 1992. Las especies de nopales presentes en Cuba y sus espe cies mas afines. Boletin Inst. Bot. (Universi dad de Guadalajara) 1(3). Roig, J. T1974. Plantas medicinales, aromati ‘cas o venenosas de Cuba. Ed. 3, 1-2. Edito ria Cientifico Técnica. La Habana. Toledo, V. M. 1985. A critical evaluation of the Floristic Knowledge in Latin America and the Caribbean. A Report presented to the Nature Conservancy International Program (Draft). Washington, D.C. CACTUSNET « ISSUE N° 9 # MARCH 2005‘Table 2 List of the Cuban cacti species by botanical subfamily (Anderson, 2000) family Pereskioideae Opuntioideae Cactoideae Poreskia zinnifiora ©. militaris Opuntia stricta var stricta Consolea macracantha €. moniliformis subsp. guantanamana C.nashii subsp. gibarensis: Nopalea cochenilifera Cylindropuntia hystrix: Leplocereus arboreus Pemillspaughit Lassurgens Dendemicrocerus nudiforus L ekmanii Acanthocereus floridanus L.carinatus Sienocereus hystrix L feonii Selenicereus grandifiorus L maxonii S. boeckmanii L. postratus S. donkelaari L santamarinae . stricta var. dillenii C.millspaughit Hylocereus undatus L scopulophilus Rhipsalis baccifera Saesae ‘Mammilaria prolifera var. esyiest prolifera L weitahit M, prolifera var haitiensis Melocactus acunai M.actinacanthus 1M. guitar 1. harlow 1M. holguinensis 1M. matanzanus M. perezassot 1M. radocat Pilosocereus brooksianus P polygonus P robin P santactarensis Harisia eal H.eriophora H. fernowit Hs tactra H. taylor S.brevispinus S.urbanianus Escobaria cubensis CACTUSNET ISSUE N° 9 P grandifola Paculeata © ficus:indica ©. streptacantha O.tura N. auberi Cereus pentagonus Epiphyllum phyllanthus MARCH 2005‘Table 3. The different ways that are use the nopal as medicine by the Cuban people according to Martinez & al. (2000), co Gen rer os stem "cataplasma" rheum stem "eataplasma* inflammations ©. stricta var. diltenii stem drink liver affections stem suppository haemorrhoids mucilage topic hair loose stem “eataplasma’ heum stem *cataplasm: inflammations and tumours fits drink thirst ©. ficus indica stom drink diarthoeas, stem drink urinary problems stem infusion cough stem drink urine problems ‘stom “cataplasma* rheum stem suppository haemorthoids Pee ee stem topic earache stem topic headache stem rink blood not pure stem ‘cataplasma" inflammations and tumours Figure 1. Geographical localization of the Cuban archipelago. CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005et ae |. Soe ay ASR SN Consoles manos susp. Conse macicanta Console isp pl Figure 2. Three of the Consolea species that grow in Cuba. 3 Na Figure 3, Adult plant of Cylindropuntia hystric cultivated in the exposition ‘area of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba, = 6A Figure 5. Opuntia stricta var. stricta. B. Opuntia militaris, the only Cuban endemic species of Opuntia. C. Details ‘of the flower of O. militaris CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005 aVictoria de las Tunas Figure 6, Localisation of Vietoria de Las Tunas City Las Tunas provineo. 60,000 ha) as such, it has encouraged research and extension work on regular basis, it is perhaps the most important source of information on this plant. However most of this in- formation is available only in Spanish, greatly limiting access by interested parties of other parts of the globe. In this regard the interaction with inter- national organizations such as ISHS represents a unique opportunity to strengthen international exchange of information. Cactus pear may represent and oppor- tunity for those countries having large semiarid areas, the information presen- ted at these international events, will foster scientific and technical coo ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005peration. The continuity of the research efforts and the integration of research teams allowing the solution of the most important problems: generation of new fruit varieties with better quality, more productive and nutritive forage varie- ties, techniques of land reclamation based on cactus pear, new agro-indus- trial developments of cactus products and above all, the educational effect on people who have still not exposed to this novel crops who represent an interesting consumer base. Since 1986 researchers, extensionists and growers have merged efforts to conduct national congresses on regular basis. These meetings have a unique format, which includes the scientific and technical presentations along with workshops and laboratory practices for growers and technicians, exhibits for new agro-industrial applications as well as field tours covering hot topics on orchard management and new de- velopments. In August 2004, the Universidad Autono- ma de Chapingo (UACH), CACTUSNET {an international network supported by FAO) and INIFAP (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias) joined efforts to orga: nize the X National Congress on the Knowledge and Use of Cactus Pear and other Valuable Cacti jointly with the V International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal, under the sponsorship of FAO, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Water Resources and Fisheries (SAGARPA), the Mexico State Government, and the National Council of Cactus Pear Growers. A significant role played FAO, making possible the participation of resear- chers from the international scientific community, An agreement with ISHS will allow the access to the information presented in the congress to internatio- CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005 nal readers through an Acta Horticultu- rae issue planned for 2005. The event was held at the main campus of the UACH, close to Mexico City, and con- veniently located nearby the Pyramids Region, the most important area for fruit production and Milpa Alta the area specialized on vegetable cactus pear. The topics covered a full range of inte- rests: Anatomy & Morphology, Ecology, Ecophysiology and Biochemistry, Pests and Diseases, Ethnobotany and Biome- dical Applications, Breeding and Bio- technology, Production and Marketing of cactus fruits and tender pads, Forage Production, Post-harvest Technology, Cactus pear and Desertification and Other Cacti of Economical Value. The event was organized as bilingual and included 121 presentations; from which 42 were intended for the interna- tional audience. Overall, the attendance reached 452 people: 42% researchers and extensionists and 58% farmers and students. Representatives of 11 countries: Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, USA, Peru, Cuba, Italy, Tunisia, South Africa and India, attended the international sessions. An unexpected significant increase on airfares and re- cent security regulations prevented at- tendance of scientists from 8 countries, however some of their contributions were received and discussed at the poster session and the information will be available in Acta Horticulturae.ICARDA and FAO-CACTUSNET collaborate to promote cactus (Opuntia ficus indica, inermis) for rangeland improvement and to combat desertification Ali Nefzaoui Mohamed El-Mourid’, Salah Chouki* 1 FAO-CACTUSNET General Coordinator, INRAT, Rue Hédi Karray, 2049 Ariana, Tunisia 2 ICARDA/NARP Regional Coordinator, 2 Office de l'Elovage ot des Paturages, rue Alain Savary, Tunis Introduction In low rainfall areas, alternative feed and alternative food resources are highly dependent on climate and the management and use of available na- tural resources. In this region the es- tablishment of sustainable production systems must be based on adapted techniques and tools that contribute to the increase in rangeland’s productivity and to ensure the food security of rural populations. Since ICARDA had, in 1993, sharpened the focus of its research and training activities on poverty alleviation and im- proving livelihoods aiming to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure environmental sustainability, and build a global partnership for development, local in country experiences in the mat- ter of related new technologies were encouraged to be shared exploiting spillover of research from one region to another, Hence, within the framework of the trans-regional project on «Develop- ment of Integrated Crop/Livestock Production Systems in the Low Rainfall Areas of West Asia and North Africa» (the Mashreq/Maghreb Project), and the North Africa Regional Program (NARP), scientists, technicians and far- mers from Jordan, Libya, Syria, Pakis- tan and Mauritania visited Tunisia (pic- tures 1 & 2) to learn about the Tunisian experience on rangeland improvement and management, combating deserti- fication and watershed management using spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica (L) Mill). Following the successful results rea- ched by the previous programs and the visitors’ field visits, spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica (L) Mill) was found as a suitable fodder crop to promote in the low rainfall areas where water is scarce and high threat of land deserti- fication in the CWANA region. Piet Tani visit of Jordanian farmers to Central where cactus is used to combat desertification Spineless cactus is a succulent, xe- rophytic plant for multiple uses. It is a drought tolerant plant, easy to esta- lish and requires low inputs to provide food for rural communities and lives- tock feed to fill feed shortage and gaps in arid and semi-arid regions. It is being introduced to Mauritania and Pakistan. a CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005(Pakistan) visiting cactus collection in Tunisia 1. Spineless Cactus in Jordan Within the framework of ICARDA Mas- hreq/ Maghreb project, a technical backstopping was implemented by Salah Chouki, member of the Tunisian Mashreq/ Maghreb team to: Conduct a training session for the Ministry of Agriculture technicians © Field visit to prospect previously planted cactus in the kingdom ¢ Animate a national workshop on spi- neless cactus and its multiple use for technicians and farmers Training Session The training session was held for one day and 20 technicians were present. Various topics were covered related to: Morphological and physiological characteristics of spineless cactus Climatic and soil requirements, Proper site selection and establish- ment techniques Multiple use of spineless cactus; rangeland rehabilitation, erosion con- trol and combat desertification. « Cactus fruit production Field visits and on job training: The objective of the visits is to prospect previous cactus plantation in the kin- gdom to: Evaluate the plants’ growth, establis- Picture 3. Training session session on cactus planting and uses at NCART (Jordan) hment techniques and constraints of plant development and, Determine further opportunities for cactus plant introduction in various agro-bioclimatic zones of the Kingdom During this National Workshop, atten- ded by 36 technicians and farmers, it was presented: @ the Tunisian experience in rangeland improvement on private lands and, @ the field visits’ observations Weaknesses and limits of previously planted cactus revealed: @ Use of single fresh young (less than two years old) pads © Use of continued drip irrigation on fresh planted single pads Lack of know how of site selection, plant establishment, maintenance and use of cactus as bulk fodder. Recommendations © Determine the agro-bioclimatic zo nes of the Kingdom (marginal cereal cropping, agro-pastoral and pastoral areas to better target the introduction of cactus). ‘e Use double pads, not less than two years old and dried for at least two weeks, prior to field plantation © Initiate the use of cactus by local li- vestock ‘e Establishment of national pad’s pro- duction nursery using appropriate drip irrigation (discontinued irrigation with CACTUSNET # ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005Picture 4. National Workshop on spineless cactus and its user rangeland rehabittation in Jordan limited quantities of water and well dis- tributed along the growing season) © Use cactus to consolidate water har- vesting terraces. 2. Spineless cactus in Pakistan Cactus has been introduced by FAO- CACTUSNET General Coordinator already 5 years ago. Main achievements have reported in the cactusnet Newslet- ter number 6 (2003). 3. Spineless cactus in Mauritania Spineless cactus (Opuntia Ficus indica, inermis) was introduced to Mauritania in August 2003, for the first time, with the aim to improve depleted rangelands and combat desertification ensuring an alternative feed resource, as live plant feed reserve, able to alleviate feed shor- tage during dry years in one hand and provide a food resource (fruits) to rural communities in the other hand. Cactus pads (double pads) were col- lected from a major site located in the west center of Tunisia where cactus, of several varieties, is planted mainly for fruit production, Cactus pads were, then, shipped to Mauritania, as single double pads, in August 2003. Prior to the site selection and on field cactus planting, two training sessions was conducted for the benefit of the lo- cal technicians and farmers at Nouak- chott and Kaeidi. The training program covered © Morphological and physiological characteristics of spineless cactus © Climatic and soil requirements Establishment maintenance and use techniques © Multiple use of spineless cactus; rangeland rehabilitation, fodder and fruit production, erosion control and combat desertification. Forty three participants attended the two sessions (projects manager, scientists, engineers, veterinarians, field technicians and the president of GNAP). Following the training sessions site visits were made to better survey and select the most suitable fields for cac- tus plantation to fulfill the following objectives a. Test the plant’s adaptability to the Mauritanian climatic and soil condi- tions, b. Establish a nursery for further in country pad production Hence, cactus is planted in two research stations representing two bio-climatic stages; Ten-Soueilem, Nouakchott and Kaeidi, Brakna delegations. Although, rainfall, in both regions, is limited and very irregular and most of it occurs between July and September, Nouakchott area is considered dryer than the “some how” humid area of Brakna near the Senegal River. Cactus is also established, in these stations, prior to enlarge its introduction on natural rangelands and/or marginal lands. Two planting techniques were followed; in rows (double pads were placed with 1 m interval) and - in clump (4 to 5 double pads per clump). Cactus plants, in Nouakchott area re ___CACTUSNET ¢ ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005ceived around 80 mm; 35 mm as preci- pitation and 45 mm as appointed irriga- tion provided § to 10 liters of water per plant, every other day, around 55 days. Farm manure is also added to plants at the planting time. During one year growth period (August 2003 - September 2004), cactus showed a significant growth behavior in Nouak- chott area with the production of high and vigorous number of pads ranging from 9 to 28 pads per plant (table 1 and plate 1 & 2) and fruit production. Cactus established in clumps are more numerous and vigorous. Moreover, year long growth; cladodes' initiation and pads’ production is registered (plate 3) in Nouakchott due to favorable condi- tions (high temperature and high rela- tive humidity, farm manure and appoin- ted irrigation) Meanwhile, planted cactus in Kaeidi has showed a normal growth through the production of less numerous pads (plate 4), 4. Cactus in Libya Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) is very well known in the country especially in NW region where it is widely planted in the private farms since very long time as a protection on a ridge of soil (Tabia) between the private farms. The area planted is estimated to 10-15,000 ha of cactus in the NW region of the country, and 1-2,000 ha in NE region. Spiny cac- tus is planted in the most of the area, to. CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005 be used for protection; very small area was planted with spineless cactus in NW region, The current main use is for protection and fruit production, market of cactus fruit in local markets and agriculture road sides is quite big in the season, some farmers may use it for feeding of camels which can take spiny cactus pads. Impact of MM project on cactus promotion in Libya: Inthe first phase of the project some farmers were encouraged to plant spi- neless cactus instead of spiny one to be used later for animal feeding e In second phase some farmers (4) and technician (2) from Wadi Hai com- munity were visited south of Tunisia where they learned to use spineless cactus in feeding of sheep. When they return some areas of about 0.5-1 ha were planted with spineless cactus in their farms. Some other people in the community were interested in it, an area of about 2 ha were planted since 3 years on the main road of the Jefara plain, it is now in very good shape with high producti- vity of fruit, pads are used to increase the area of spineless cactus in the area. Research on cactus i Libya: © Agriculture research center started some experiment in 3 research stations in different climatic conditions, for tes- ting of time of planting, fertilization, spacing, method of supp-irrigation and planting density. © Anew research project were appro- ved and financed about cactus in NE region, where 8000 pads of spineless cactus were sent from NW region, 0.5 ha in 3 research stations (200 km apart) will be planted this month for testingof some agriculture practices, it will be tested also in farmers fields as well. © Students from E/ Fateh University were start planting of cactus in faculty of agriculture farm as a research pro- ject. eA research on food technology ‘Mashreq/Maghreb project Traveling workshop of Libyan farmers to inquire about Tunisian experience with eactus: Tablet. Evolution of pads’ production 21/8/03 (plantation Expy aed Scene) Er) Rows (2) *Clump' @) CACTUSNET © uy using of cactus fruit to be introduced to farmer families in cactus production areas. ¢ Some governmental projects have planted some area with cactus. More areas to be planted this spring with cactus. Mashroq/Maghreb project Traveling workshop of farmers and scientists from WANA Region to inquire about Tunisian experience with cactus Pere of fruits Percy Serres Cron 222 (45 small pads) 88 (28 small pads) MARCH 2005 ISSUE N° 9 @‘Spineless Cactus plantation in Rows - Ten-Soueilem, Nouakchott Initial Planted Cactus in rows @7th August 2003) ‘Cactus plants, one year later (15th Septernber 2004) Cactus plants, one year later (15th September 2004) CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005 ____Spineless Cactus plantation in Clumps -Ten-Sou. B Spineless Cactus plantation in Rows; - Research station Kaeidi Initia planted Cactus in ‘clump* (27th August 2008) Cactus plants, one year later (15th September 2004) sm, Nouakchott Cactus plants, one year later (15th. Septembor 2004) Initial planted Cactus in Rows (27th August 2003) CACTUSNET ISSUE N° 9 Cactus plants, one year later (15th September 2004) MARCH 2005Share of the Semester Testimony sent by Hermana Jovita Gomez Vences to Dr. En ue Arias. Hermana worked as a nun in Caxito, Bengo, Angola, for almost 20 years. August 31, 2004 I'd like to give you more detailed infor- mation about the way they use nopali- tos in Angola, Africa. During the war of 92, we lost everything, as you know. Then, as soon as Calixto was free from the opposite troops, there was a big hunger, and people were dying and there were many refugees and diseases were spreading. We asked food through Caritas to the World Food Program, but it was impossible to meet all of our needs of food this way. So, trying to solve the situation, a man with a little car going from Luanda to Calixto, hel- ped us bringing the cactus pads to our mission. We used to collect them in the way to give them to our people We distributed among them about 20 kgs, teaching them how to clean and to cook them. I witnessed that from 100 people, only one ate them. They all thought it was a poison. Only when they saw the kina of food it was, and as they trusted us, they started eating it. Sometimes it was the only food they got and they didn't die of starving. would been to film such an event, Is so good to share — with those — who ignore it, the knowledge of nature's ISSUE No 9 CACTUSNET ® richness! Some used to say "delicious", some others "we didn't know they were edible" or " we don’t know how to take advantage of what we have got’, etc. I was very happy with all what | could teach. We also had a seminar where even the Minister of Agriculture tasted the wonderful nopalitos. My advice for every one is: Let's use our natural resources, the cactus, in the present case, since it is a wonderful food" © MARCH 2005Geli Belese / Cactus Leaf / For Human Consumption Ana Lilia Vigueras Department Of Botany And Zoology Biotechonology University Of Guadalajara, Mexico Introduction Mums for Mums is a small locally regis- tered and charitable community asso- ciation formed three years ago in May 2001 by a group of people in Mekelle and living in abject poverty with mal- nurshed children, These young mothers without other support, have few options to get money to feed their children, either than beg- ging or/and prostitution. The plight of homeless young women in the urban, peri-urban and rural sectors of Mekelle is particularly harsh, and many women have become rejected from their local communities and pa- rents as result of poverty in the family from the birth of an illegitimate child of increasingly from the suspicion of HIV/ AIDS infection. The majority of these women are young and unmarried. Mums for Mums was established with the expressed purpose of helping these destitute women from the town around Mekelle. These women are re-directed into some from of skill training that they become self-reliant and escape from a dependency syndrome. Prickly Pear cactus Although the time of introduction is unknown, prickly pear cactus has been grown in different parts of Ethiopia from 100 - 150 Years. Here in Tigray Region cactus grows widely throughout the Region. It has been routinely used as mer ia Ade new Mums for Mums August 2004 a feed for cattle, Apart from the cactus pear which has a season of about four months a year the flesh of the plant is not eaten by people. Although Tigraian people are familiar and enjoy the delicious prickly pear fruit, nobody realizes that tasty and eco- nomical dishes can be prepared from the young /leaves /Beles. Nopalito is a nutritious vagetable very rich in pro- tein, vitamin A and C. It also has a high level of mineral notably potassium, cal- cium and phosphorus . It can serve as a source of cheap supplementary food for the lower income group and can contribute towards our struggle to food security. CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 ¢ MARCH 2005Project TCP/ETH/ 2901 Cactus pear utilization has changed this perspective during the past year. The project has focused attention on the use of the plant as food for people. An international consultant. speciali- zing in the preparation and processing of cactus, Mrs Anna Lilia Viguras came through Mekelle University in August 2003 and worked with Mums for Mums for three weeks. The Project contracted Mums for Mums tu run training workshop for three weeks in August 2003 in food preparation and with the help of the in- ternational consultant, Mrs Anna Lilia Viguras basic training on processing of cactus pear fruit and nopalito in juices, pickles, marmalade, a variety sauces and salads were given to more than 150 women and some men. In addition to food preparation the trainees were also given training in the collection, storage and preservation of nopalitos. The pro- ject has caught the imagination of the Regional Government. Since then Mums for Mums has been involved in the preparation, processing and serving variety of dishes using nopalito. We are also developing new belese dishes with local ingredients. The skill training of Mums for Mums in- cludes cooking courses in which Mums for Mums teaches young women how to incorporate cactus into traditional meals like injera and wat. These highly nutritious vegetable enhances the tra- ditional food habit. In addition the wo- men are taught how to prepare jams, pickels, marmalde, etc. which can be sold to the public, Helvetas Ethiopia a swiss association for international cooperation has just started working with Mums for Mums facilitating the CACTUSNET * ISSUE N* 9 © MARCH 2005_ purchase of new jars for the product. Mums for Mums in a bid to promote cactus as food for human consumption is involved in many different activities. For example, we prepare food for public reception using cactus ? in January this, year we prepared lunch for 200 guests at the 10th anniversary lunch of Mekel- le University's Agricultural Department and later in March we prepared lunch for over 300 guests at the opening cere- mony of the biofarm exhibition center in Mekelle. We had a stall at the women entrepreneurs and at the Mekelle town fair. Both times people were eager to learn and taste the food. Perhaps our most successful initia- tive for encouraging the habit of eating cactus is on a smaller scale through our ‘Thursday Cactus Lunch’ at mums for mums to which we invite different people who usually buy a few jarsof the cactus productus before leaving At Mums for Mums we have been hel- ping to develop a training program in the preparation of food from Beles. The idea of this is to introduce young single and destitute mothers to a cheap and easily obtainable source of food for their children and moreover to offer the opportunity for these women to learn to make products from beles which they may be able to sell In the field of Beles education we have prepared new Beles products and intro- duced several people to Beles through exhibitions and one to one education.Emerging Cactus Producing Countries FAO supported cactus production improvement in Ethiopia and Eritrea to improve food security Ana Lili igueras' and Candelario Mondragon* 4 Department Of Botany And Zoology Biotechonology University Of Guadalajara, Mexico 2INIFAP (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agricolas y Pecuarias. Nogal 259, Arboledas. Queretaro, ‘QRO. MEXICO 76140, Cactus pear or 'beles' was introduced to the Horn of Africa around 1846 and 1887 by Italian and German missiona- ries, Its cultivation has ever since been encouraged and together with ideal edaphic and climatic conditions, has flourished to become one of the most common plants. The cactus plant grows profusely in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and has adapted perfectly to the arid zones of the coun- tries characterised by droughty con- ditions, erratic rainfall, and poor soils subject to erosion. It thus contributes in times of drought, serving as a life-sa- ving crop to both humans and animals, Beles has become the major income and food source for about four months of the year (May - August) and it is very much part of the culture and livelihood of the people in spite of the limited uses. Today it is fully integrated into the landscape of the highlands. Cactus pear has become the dominant plant in many areas. Despite being an alien plant that is able to spread aggressively without the presence of any natural enemies, it is accepted now as an inte- gral part of people's environment and food security. Fruit is sold mainly on the roadside from baskets, both in the villages at which they are produced and in the ur- ban areas (Photo by Mondragon) It is the most readily available source of fresh fruit during summer, providing valuable minerals and vitamins to rural families as well as city dwellers. Being collected from the wild stocks it rea- ches the market at prices affordable to all population. As the harvest season coincides with the schoo! holidays, chil- dren find selling the fruit a means of ob- taining income for schoo! needs. Fruit is produced and consumed in fresh form in large quantities, but the surplus is wasted due to lack of knowledge of its full utilization and processing po- tential. Over the last few years the eco- nomic interest in the cactus plant has remarkably increased. However these countries faced the problems of lack of improved varieties, production techni- ques and processing technologies. The lack of control had also bred a negative response to the crop generally given its potential to threaten some of the local plant genetic resources. Considering beles' primitive cultivation, the absence of local experience on full utilization, careful selection of species, CACTUSNET * ISSUE N* 9 © MARCH 2005suitable farm management and defined cropping systems, the respective go- vernments requested FAO's technical support to improve cactus cultivation and utilization improvement. FAO responded positively and through the Technical Cooperation Programme (ICP) one project in each country was implemented. The national implemen- ting institutions were the University of Mekelle in Ethiopia and the Ministry of Agriculture in Eritrea. Selection of local clones, introduc- tion of foreign high-quality varieties, establishment of pilot orchards for fruit, vegetable and forage production, establishment variety collections and provision of in-country (farmers and technicians) and abroad training were the main outputs of the projects. Ge- neral-and technical information was delivered to technical staff, farmers, academics and students in different formats: seminars open to all audien- ces, technical conferences, workshops and field demonstrations, In addition, in Ethiopia, cochineal production was introduced with the double aim to help to control cactus where it has become an invader and to present an econo- mic activity in wild cactus populations taking into consideration the total absence of pests and diseases. The es- tablishment of cochineal production in the remote and under-utilized thickets could provide valuable income to the poorest of the poor, who are unable to sell their fruit and other produce to the main markets because of accessibility problems. The projects were particularly succes- sful in introducing the alternative use of young pads for human consumption. Farmers (mainly female) were trained in the basic elements of simple proces- sing techniques of fruits and pads; this represented an opportunity to add one more source of vitamins and minerals to the diet of the countries’ population. The utilization of the aerial part as fo- rage represents and immediate link to other crop value chains such as milk, milk derivatives, meat and hides pro- duction. All these possibilities do not compete for land or water with the existing crops, because beles can be cultivated in lands with low productive potential for other crops. The FAO consultants that provided technical assistance in the framework of the two projects were CACTUSNET active members. Eritrea and Ethiopia have the opportunity to get additional information on new developments on beles cultivation and utilization through active participation in the CACTUSNET activities. The works far to be accomplished, cac- tus pear is not yet fully exploited, there- fore in both of the countries a follow-up project proposal was formulated for full cactus pear utilization and control with the aim to achieve full utilization and its gradual long-term integration into sus- tainable agricultural systems. CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005White Boles. Spiny entry found scattered in low ‘numbers mixed with the yellow-orange cultivars. Not exploited commercially due to its low quality fruits and similar harvest season that the yollow-orange types. (Photo by Mondragon) ;ndslides close to households ‘extensive utilization of spiny cactus pear for fencing observed in fields located along ‘he transect Mokhoni-Bala (Photo by Mondragon). ‘rare example of well tended household orchard ‘near Mekelle (Ethiopia) A few improvements such {8s pruning, manuring and improvement of harvest technique could make of this site an excellent demonstration plot (Photo by Mondragon) CACTUSNET @ Household orchards represent an immediate source ‘of fresh fruit for family consumption. They are found scattored across the Tigray region. Forage utilization is minimum as well as production practices. These orchards can be the head start for crop management improvement (Photo by Mondragon). ISSUE N®° 9 © MARCH 2005ABSTRACT OF PUBLICATIONS Elaboracion de alimentos y conser- vas con cactaceas y otras plantas su- culentas. By: Vigueras, A.L y L. Portillo Universidad de Guadalajara, México, ISBN: 970-27-0263-1, (2002), 98 p. Title: Elaboration of food and preser- ves made of cacti and other succulent plants As part of an inter-institutional project to teach inhabitants of rural commu- nities to use with sustainability their natural resources (cacti and other succulent plants), has been elaborated a series of publications. This book is one of them dealing with the emphasis to diffuse the knowledge obtained during 10 years on of the subject. The content of the book compiled the recipes of the Cactus Society of Jalisco, México “Nakari” an ONG devoted to the study of cacti and succulent plant, also contain the methodology to elaborate the food and the way to preserve it and some information on history, ethnobo- tany, nutrition, culture and bibliogra- phy. Cria de grana cochinilla. By: L. Portillo and A. L, Vigueras. Universidad de Gua- dalajara, México. ISBN: 970-27-0327-1 (2003), 51 p. Title: Rearing of cochineal The content of this book is devoted to the cochineal culture, the insect produ cer of carminic acid, a dye widely used for food, drugs, cosmetic, fabrics and many other applications. The language used is Spanish due to main producer countries of cochineal are Hispanic. The information is summarized in seven chapters (see table) and annexes about practices and a list of addresses of peo- ple related to cochineal, with a simple style to reach as rural and peasants as academic and general readers. 1 Introduction: History and present 4 Biology and morphology: Taxonomy, sexual dimorphisms, biologic cycle, biotic and abiotic factors 3 Host plants: Taxonomy, distribution, uses, culture, pest and diseases. a Ecology and environmental impact: Natural equilibrium, sustainability and ecological ethic, localization of producer zones Rearing, harvest and post harvest management Costs and market Literature cited Tefido de fibras naturales con pig- mentos. By Vigueras, A. L. y L. Portillo. Universidad de Guadalajara, México. ISBN: 970-27-0326-3. (2004), 47 p. Title: Dyeing of natural fibers with pigments For those interested in natural colors, this publication covers the use of many pigments, especially from cochineal The content of the booklet is the next: 1) Introduction, Current status of pig- CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 © ments and theory of light and color. 2) Natural dyes. Type of pigments and function, organisms producer of pig- ments. 3) Extraction processes of dyes. Hand- craft extraction, Industrial extraction. 4) Natural fibers. 5) Material and processes for dyeing. 6) Mordents and techniques. 7) Dyeing techniques. MARCH 2005$ moesQev2e06 © www.fao.org/hortivar Hortivar@fao.org HORTIVAR is a horticultural crop culti- vars performance database, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAQ) as part of the World Agriculture Information Centre (WAICENT). HORTIVAR is a tool for safeguarding and easily retrieval of information on the agronomic performance of horticultural cultivars in relation to agro-ecological conditions, cultivation practices, the occurrence of pests and diseases and timing of the production. It is suitable for recording data obtained producers and by public, private sector, seed companies and horticultural research centres around the world that conduct field trials to as- sess the performance of horticultural crop cultivars in different agro-climatic and agro-economic environments. HORTIVAR serves a: + Atool for easy and quick retrieval of in- formation related to horticulture cultivars all over the world + A standard methodology for data recording of current and future cultivar trials * Atemplate for educational purposes in colleges and universities + A lively interface between scientists and growers + Asource for quick retrieval of available seeds of required cultivars for emergency Gcenntres7/ael operations HORTIVAR covers six categories of hor- ticultural crops: fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers, ornamentals, mushrooms, herbs & condiments. HORTIVAR has two primary functions which are interdependent: Data retrieval and data entry. Data are retrieved by sear- ching according to various parameters such as crop, species; cultivar, country, geographical references, resistance to pest and diseases, ecozone, and produc- tion system. For data entry, interested partners have to register and obtain their personalised username and password from the HORTIVAR Desk Office at FAO Headquarters by sending an e-mail to hortivar@fao.org. Access and use of HORTIVAR database in free of charge. The structure of the HORTIVAR database has the following essential elements: 1) General Information (site and geo- references, seed supplier and contact address) 2) Cultivar (standard cultivar descriptor and the actual characteristics observed under local field conditions) 3) Basic Cropping and Yield data (target plant product, production system, data recording environment, transplanting or direct seeding system, planting density, total fresh yield, crop cycle) 4) Source (origin of data, publication re- ference if any, data originator and his/her e-mail contact, country and species gate CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005keepers and his/her e-mail contact) 5) Additional data (inter alia climate information, target product destination and use, nursery practices, field opera- tions and practices including substrate, irrigation, fertilization, plant protection, harvesting practices) 6) Photograph Given the lack of cultivar listings we would like to invite you to use the data- base and participate in data entry. MMM) cactusnet © 1sSUEN* 9 © MARCH 2005.The new members of the International Committee of the FAO-CACTUS Network During the meeting of the FAO-CACTUSNET held at Chapingo, Mexico, August 6th 2004, the international committee has been renewed following and approved by the general assembly. To allow readers and collaborators to better know these scientists, which are allocating some of their valuable time to network activities and to enhance collaboration among network members, a brief description of their curriculum is developed below. Dr. Ali Nefzaoui/ General Coordinator Born in Tunisia, July 10th, 1949, married and father of three children, Graduated (1973) from the Tunisian National Agricul- tural Institute as agricultural engineer, and obtained his M.Sc. from the same institute in 1975. He holds a Ph.D. Animal Nutrition from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium), January 1985. His main fields of activities are related to animal sciences: Ruminant management and nutrition, animal nutri- tion, feed resources (forage, by-products, shrubs, rangelands), rural integrated research development projects management, Technology transfer and participatory approach activities. He obtained the National Merit Award in Agriculture delivered by H.E. the President of Republic Tunisia, May 12, 2003 His professional activities started as Animal nutrition researcher at INRA Tunisia (1975-1979). From 1979 to 1985, he was a graduate teaching assistant at “Bioche- mistry of Nutrition Laboratory / University of Louvain, Belgium) where he prepared his Ph.D. From 1985 to 1989, he worked as associate professor in animal production at Agricultural High School of Chatt Mariem, Tunisia, and as Associate Director of Research at INRAT from 1989 to 1994, where he was the head of Livestock, Forage and Pasture Department. He acted also as Invited Professor at C.ILH.E.A.M/IAM Za- ragoza - Spain (feed evaluation, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products). He visited several countries as consultant for ICARDA and FAQ in the field of range- land rehabilitation, alternative feed resources and participatory research implemen- tation. He organized several congresses, symposia and advanced international courses (FAO-ICARDA Training Session on the better Use of Crop Residues and Agro-Indus- trial By-Products; FAO-CIHEAM Advanced Course on “New Techniques For Sustai- nable Sheep and Goat Production in the Mediterranean Region"; Regional training Workshop on Native and exotic Fodder shrubs in Arid and Semi-arid Zones; Vth International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal and the IV General Meeting of the International Cooperation Cactus Pear Network (CACTUSNET); International Conference on “Policy and Institutional Options for the Management of Rangelands in the Dry Areas”; IXth Seminar of the FAO-CIHEAM Network on Sheep and Goat/ Subnetwork Nutrition on “Nutrition and Feeding Strategies of Sheep and goat under CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005harsh climates"), He is currently Director of Research, Director of Livestock, forage Laboratory at the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia (INRAT), where he is leading a large team of scientists working on animal breeding, nutrition, forage production, rangeland improvement and management, and technology transfer. He coordinated several regional and international research projects, as “System Wide Livestock Initiative (SLI) “Fodder Shrubs and Trees for West Asia, North Africa and the Sahel and “Integrated Crop/Livestock Production Systems in the Low Rain- fall Areas of West Asia and North Africa”. He is author of more than 120 scientific papers published in refereed international journals or books. He was elected as General Coordinator of the FAO-CACTUS Network in 2000, which was renewed in 2004 for another mandate. Dr. Gurbachan Singh Regional Coordinator for West Asia Born on September 16, 1954 in village Bhaini Maraj district Sangrur, Punjab. He completed his B.Sc. (Agri.), M.Sc. and Ph.D. with merit scholarship in agronomy from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana in 1975, 1978 and 1988, respectively. He worked at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, India for nearly 20 years and did commendable research on reclamation and management of salt-affected soils. The bio-amelioration technology for | reclamation of sodic soils developed by Dr. Singh has gained wider applicability in the field and is acknowledged in journal Science. Dr. Singh was instrumental in introducing edible cactus in India. In 1991, he introduced five clones (clone 1270 (forage), 1271, 1280, 1287(fruit) and 1308(vegetable) at Karnal from Dr. Peter Felker's collections in Texas. He multiplied this germplasm, screened for salt stress and worked-out the agro techniques for its cultivation. Later on, this material was distributed for evaluation in different agro-climatic zones of India. Dr. Singh joined as Principal Scientist at National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Jhansi in August 1998 through selection and then elevated to the position of Head, Crop Production Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Jhansi in February 2000 and continued till November 2001. While working at Jhansi, he established experiments on evaluation of cactus in shallow depth and poor fertility soils of semi arid Bundhelkhand region. He developed a 0.3 million dollar project on biofencing and soil and water conservation involving planting of cactus along with other species in semi-arid regions which was later on implemented at six locations in India. The experiments planted by Dr. Singh are producing reasonable quantity of cactus fruits at Jhansi. At present, Dr. Singh is working as Assistant Director General (Agronomy) at ICAR headquarters in New Delhi and facilitating research on CACTUSNET ¢ ISSUE N° 9 # MARCH 2005-cropping systems, dryland, weed management, desertification, climate change and agrometeorology. Dr. Singh is currently engaged in developing a national network programme on cactus involving participation of 8-10 research institutes/agricultural universities located in arid and semi-arid regions. Mayn objectives of this network are (i) to import promising fruit, forage, vegetable and cochineal producing clones from Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Italy and Argentina, (ii) evaluation of the introduced germplasm at different locations, (iii) developing agro-techniques, post harvest processing and value addition and (iv) organising of national and international workshops/meetings/conferences etc. He has more than 150 publications to his credit including 25 in International Journals. Based upon his pioneering research work he was awarded Hari Om Ashram Trust Award in 1989 by ICAR, New Delhi; Dr. K.A. Shankarnarayan Memorial Award (1992-93) by Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI, Jodhpur); Tenth Sukumar Basu Memorial Award (1995-96) by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award (1997-1998) of ICAR. He is fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and scientific advisor to the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Sweden. He is Vice President of the Farming System Research and Development Association of India, Honorary Member of Editorial Board of Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development and Member, Advisory Committee of Journal of Agrometeorology. Dr. Singh has wide international exposure and has the privilege of working with scientists and research managers in USA, Canada, England, Mexico, Iran and Nepal. Johannes Petrus Potgieter Regional Coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa Born in July 3th, 1962 in South Africa, married with two children, He graduated from Marlow Agricultural High School, Cradock, Eastern (Cape Province). Awards: Floating trophy for best student in Biology and Agricultural Science in Matric (1980). Obtained B.K.B. Certificate as wool classer (1980). He graduated from the University of the North (Unin), Sovenga (1986-1992) in the field of plant production and small scale farming. He is member of several professional associations (i.e, Southern African Society for Horticultural Science (SASHS), South African Society of Crop Production (SASCP), South African New Crops Research Association (SANCRA), Southern African Association for Farming Systems Research/Extension (SAAFSR/E), Botanical Society of South Africa, South African Cactus Pear Network). The professional experience of Johan started at Department of Development Aid, Administration Division, Pietersburg, from 1985 to 1992 where he was in charge among others of technical assistance to farmers and extension staff. After completing his Honours degree, he initiated the spineless cactus pear research project. From 1995 to 1997, he was Senior Agricultural Scientist at Department of =e CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005Agriculture: Technology Development, Pietersburg, Appointed on 01 March 1997 as Deputy Manager: Horticulture in the Directorate: Technology Development (currently Research and Extension). Enrolled during 2003 at the University of Free State for an MSc degree in Horticulture. A dissertation titled "Influence of environmental factors on fruit yield and quality of spineless cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) in Limpopo Province, South Africa" is in process of completion. He is author of several scientific and technical papers related to cropping and uses of cactus. Dra. Maria Judith Ochoa Regional Coordinator for South America Born 20 July 1961, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. She obtai ned her Agronomic Engineering degree in 1984 at the Agro- nomy Facultaty, National University of Santiago del Estero (UNSE), and in 2001 the Magister Scientae in Plant Production from the Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Since 1985 she is teacher and researcher following different positions: Assistant Professor of fruit production at the Agro- nomy Faculty, UNSE. From 1987 to 1992 she worked at the same university as Associate Professor in the same field of expertise. In addition, she was the Director of Production Department from 1993 to 1998. Currently, she is the Director of INDEAS (Institute Development Agriculture and cattle of Semiarid Regions). She has been awarded for "Nomination ternary Scientific Investigation 1998" and "Prominent Women 2000". She also have editorial responsibilities (Editorial Committee Editorial, Multequina VI - IADIZA, Mendoza; Editorial board of Journal of Science and Tecnology-UNSE; Evaluation committee of research project, UNSE- Salta-Argentina). She is since 1993 the Regional Coordinator for South America of the FAO-Cactus Network. Her main research topics are related to technical and economic feasibility of Cactus crops for commercial production and development of fruit crop in semiarid and arid regions. She is also active as private consultant for cactus pear production in different provin- cas of Argentina, and member of several Scientific Organizations, including Interna- tional Society for Horticultural Sciences. She participated in many national and ternational Congresses and presented conferences in different countries (Sardegna, , Mexico, Palermo, Peru, United States, etc,). She leads several national and international research projects and published more than 25 papers. CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005Dr. Jesus M Fuentes-Rodriguez Regional Coordinator for North America Born in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, holds an Animal Science title by Antonio Narro Agrarian University of Saltillo, Mexico (1977); Master degree in Animal Science (1982), and a Philosophy Doctor degree in Animal Sciences by Colorado State University, USA (1991). Since 1979, he is professor and researcher of the Animal Production Dept. of the Antonio Narro Agrarian University of Saltillo, Mexico; he is also teacher in the Animal Sciences Graduate Program (M.Sc.) and belongs to the Academic Committee of the Ph.D. program on Animal Sciences of the Animal Sciences Division of the Antonio Narro Agrarian University. He was the Dean of the Graduate School of the Antonio Narro Agrarian University (1994-1998). He was University's President Adviser for International Affairs (1992-1993) and Executive Secretary of University’s President Office (1990- 1992). He also was the department Head of The Animal Sciences Dept. (1999-2001). He has directly supervised a number of undergraduate and graduate Thesis, thus contributing to the apprenticeship of an important number of students. At present he is the Head of the MSc. program of his Department. His research activities relate mainly to the processing and utilization of plants of arid lands (cactus pear, agaves, prosopis, etc), and to the utilization of industrial and agricultural by products in animal feeding. Currently he is also the Regional Coordinator for North America of CACTUSNET- FAO and he is a member of several scientific organizations (American Society of Animal Science-USA; American Dairy Science Association-USA, Mexican Association of Animal Sciences-Mexico). He has participated in several national and international Congresses and offered Conferences in different countries (Tunis, Hungary, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Chile). He lead several national and international research projects and published more than 100 papers including books chapters. He also published a book about Sheep Production. He has been the Director for Latin America for the project on alfalfa utilization as human food, financed by Leaf Nutrient, Inc of the USA. He has received several awards as candidate of the National Research System, Member of the Coahuila State Research System, Distinguished Professor of the Graduate Program of the Antonio Narro Agrarian University, Recognition for the first place of the Animal Science Division on Teaching and Research in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. He participated as teacher in several courses for undergraduate and graduated students (MSc. and Ph.D. programs) and in extension courses. He is a member of the Editorial Committee of the Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development (USA) and of Agrarian (Scientific Journal of the Antonio Narro Agrarian University, Saltillo, Coahuila, México). He has participated as FAO Consultant for the projects on Cactus utilization in Eritrea and Ethiopia, Africa. He also has participated as FAO Consultant in China. CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005Prof. Innocenza Chessa Regional Coordinator for Mediterranean Basin Born in Alghero (Sassari) the 24.06.1953, she graduated at the Jackson Central Merry High School - Jackson, Tennessee (USA) in 1971. Graduated cum laude in Agricultural Science at the University of Sassari (1978), she was researcher at the ISBCAM of the CNR till the 1982. In 1986 was charged for the role of Director Substitute. From 1992 to 2001 she was Asso- ciated Professor of Fruit tree culture, and Full Professor at the University of Sassari from 2001 up today. She is member of the teachers’ staff of the research doctorate on Agro-meteorology and Ecophysiology, and scientific advisor of the Inter-universi- ties Center for Conservation and Utilization of Mediterranean Germplasm (CIGM). She is coordinator of Workpackage on “Characterization of plant genetic resources and identification of suitable strategies for their preservation and utilization”, within the Center of excellence: Center for Biotechnology Development and Biodiversity Research at the University of Sassari. From May 2002 she is director of the Research Center on Plant Biodiversity Research, recently established at the University of Sassari. Author of about one hundred-thirty papers, including scientific reports, technical re- ports and books chapters, as well as communication and posters to national and in- ternational congress, she coordinated national and international research projects. The main research interests on Opuntia are mainly addressed to the characteriza- tion, evaluation and selection of cactus pear in the Mediterranean area. Within the activities of the CACTUSNET-FAO she is co-author of the Descriptor List of Opuntia and convenor of the International Workshop on Promotion of Minor Fruit Crops: Cac- tus Pear, held in Sardinia (Italy) in 1997. She also coordinated the research group on Opuntia within the European Project GENRES - CT95 ~ 29. Currently she is regional coordinator for the Mediterranean area of the CACTUSNET-FAO. Dra. Carmen Saenz Hernandez Coordinator of the Working group «Agro-industries & post-harvest» Born in Santiago de Chile, holds a Chemistry and Pharmacy title by the University of Chile (1975); Postgraduate in Food Technology (C.S.I.C., Valencia, Spain, 1977), and Doctor in Pharmacy by the University of Madrid, Spain (1979) Since 1979 she is teacher and researcher of the Dept. of Agroindustry and Enology, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, Uni- versity of Chile; she is also teacher in the Food Technology Graduate Program (M.Sc.) in her Faculty. She belongs to the Academic Committee of the Ph.D. program on Food and Nu- trition of the University of Chile. She was the Director of the Graduate Scho | CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005ol of her Faculty (1999-2002), as from 2002 she was granted the Professor status in her University. She has directly supervised a number of undergraduate and graduate Thesis, thus contributing to the apprenticeship of an important number of students. At present she is the Coordinator of the MSc. program of her Department and the President of the Agriculture Research Committee of her University. Her research activities relate mainly to the processing and uses of fruits and vege- tables, mainly fruit from arid zones (cactus pear, pomegranate, etc). Currently she is also the Coordinator of the Postharvest and Agroindustrial Group of CACTUSNET- FAO and she is a member of several scientific organizations (IFT-USA; IFU-PARIS; SOCHITAL-Chile; the CODEX ALIMENTARIUS Chilean Committee for vegetables jui- ces). She has participated in several national and international Congresses and of- fered Conferences in different countries (Tunis, Egypt, Israel, France, Mexico, Spain, Peru, Morocco). She leads several national and international research projects and published more than 50 papers including books chapters. She participated as teacher in several courses for undergraduate and graduated stu- dents (MSc, and Ph.D. programs) and in extension courses. She is a member of the Editorial Committee of the Journal of the Professional Asso- ciation for Cactus Development (USA) and of NAKARI (Bulletin of the Jaliscience Society of Cactus, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México). Dr. Djalma Cordeiro dos Santos Coordinator of the Working group “forage and rangelands” Djalma Cordeiro dos Santos obtained his bachelor of scien- ces in 1983 at “Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE "/ Rural Federal University of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil and his MSc on crop improvement in 1992 from the same university. He is an employee of the Empresa Pernambu- cana de Pesquia Agropecuaria (IPA) / Agricultural Research Corporation of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, since 1983. He is a researcher and as main activity, he is leading a research project management, improvement, and utilization of forage cactus, involving IPA, UFRPE, and EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agri- cultural Research Corporation). He published several scienti- fic and technical papers dealing mainly with the use of cactus as fodder in arid and semi-arid regions. CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005Prof. Francisco A.P. Campos Coordinator of the Working group "Biology" Born on March 22nd 1952 in Brazil, he obtained his B.Sc. Biological sciences and M.Sc. Plant biochemistry from the university of Ceara, in 1976 and 1988, respectively. In 1984, he obtained a Ph.D. in Plant Biochemistry from the University of Durham, Durham England. Professor Francisco Campos is married and has two children. Currently, he is Professor (Plant Molecular Biology), Depart- ment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal Univer- sity of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil Some of his previous experiences, include a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute of Botany, University of Kiel, Germany (1988-1990), and as Assistant Professor (Oberassistant), Insti- tute of Plant Sciences, ETH-Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (1990-1992) The main research topic he is currently leading is focusing on the development of regeneration and genetics transformation systems for the cactus pear. The long term goal of this research is to develop transgenic lines with increased protein levels in the phylloclads, so that plants from these lines will be more nutritious for livestock. Dr. Ricardo David Valdez-Cepeda Coordinator of the Working group “Nopalitos” Born on August 30, 1960 in Durango, Mexico. He completed his B. Sc. in agronomy, specialized in soil science (1983) from the ‘Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Nato’ at Saltillo, Coahila, Mexico. He holds a Ph, D. in agricultural sciences (1997) from the ‘Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon’ at Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. He attended (1989) to a postgraduate course in Agricultural Meteorology at the Meteorological Ser- vice and Ben Gurion University in Israel. He worked at the Zacatecas State Agricultural Experimental Station of the Mexico's National Institute for Agricultural Re- search from 1984 to 1987. Afterwards, He is researcher and teacher of the Regional Center at Zacatecas of the ‘Universidad Auténoma Chapin- go’. At the present he is the coordinator of the Regional Rural Development Master in Sciences Program in his Center of job. He has participated in several national and international congress and offered confe- rences in different countries (Mexico, United States of America, Spain, Tunisia, and Canada). He is a lover of cactus. He leads a research project with the main aim to generate knowledge on the chan- ging climate by using data from meteorological stations throughout the world utili- zing fractal geometry and chaos theory. He is a member of the Mexico's National System of Scientific Researchers. He has published 60 articles in refereed journals, 50 in extenso articles in congress procee CACTUSNET «© ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005dings, 6 chapters in books, and 3 technical books as co-editor. He is a founder in a consulting group that specializes in transition and strategy consultations to enter- prising families. His main hobby is a strong interest in attending the activities of three children (Claudia Deirdre, David and Gabriela) with his wife Claudia Gabriela Dr. Jaime Mena Covarrubias Coordinator of the Working group "Pests and Diseases" Born on January 4th, 1957 in Amoxochitl village, of the Juchi- [7 pila county, in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. He obtained h B.Sc. in Agricultural Parasitology at the University Autono- mous of Chapingo (Mexico) in 1979; postgraduate in Entomo- logy at Michigan State University, USA, in 1988, and Doctor in Biological Sciences at the University of Maine, USA, in 1994. Since August 1979, he is the entomology researcher of the Za- catecas Agricultural Research Station at the National Institute for Research in Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (Mexico). He has been invited as a guest speaker at the Universities of Chapingo, Zacatecas, Chihuahua and San Luis Potosi. He has supervised several thesis at the undergraduate and graduate level with emphasis on the biology and ecology of the insect pests studied. His research activities are intended to develop an integrated pest management for the most important insect pests damaging peaches, guavas, dry beans and peppers in the Mexican highlands. Since 1997, Dr Mena-Covarrubias concentrated most of his efforts to study the insect pests on cultivated and wild populations of Opuntia cactus trees, in order to develop a sound, environmentally friendly strategy for ma- naging these insect pests. He also has been working on finding a more efficient way to transfer the technology for pest management on peach and cactus tress, working both with farmers and extension agents at the orchard level. He has participated as a member of several professional societies, including the Mexican Society of Entomology, México (1984), the National Society of Biological Control, México (1990) and the Entomological Society of America, USA (1992) Dr. Candelario Mondragon Jacobo Coordinator of the Working group “Plant Genetic resources collection, conservation and evaluation" Born on February 2, 1956 in Uruapan, Mich. Mexico. Married and father of two chil- dren. (15 and 11 years old). He completed his B.Sc. in plant breeding in 1977 at Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo (México), and his M.Sc. in soil science from Colegio de Postgra- duados (México) in 1983. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University, USA, Horticul- ture CACTUSNET ® ISSUE N°’ 9 © MARCH 2005and Landscape Architecture Department (1999). Currently he is a full time researcher at INIFAP (Instituto Na- | cional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agricolas y Pecuarias) Cactus Pear and Stone Fruits Program. North of Guanajuato | Research Station. Mexico. | His research topics on cactus pear is focusing on breeding for high quality fruit, vegetable and fodder production, and in- clude the study of some basic aspects of reproductive biology of these plants such as the extent and effect of apomixis on breeding programs, and identification of phenotypic and mo- lecular markers to study inheritance patterns of cactus pear. These activities are aimed to the continuous generation of improved cultivars of cactus pear which should meet the demands of the international market. In addition, he is targeting cactus pear germplasm collection, maintenance and usage, as well as the assessment of cactus pear production in the semiarid highlands of Central Mexico, and the intensive production of vegetable cactus pear. He is author of several scientific papers in refereed journals. Dra, Ortiz-Hernandez, Yolanda Donaji Coordinator of the Working group “Pitayas and Pitahayas” Born in Oaxaca de Juarez, Oax., Mexico. Agronomist (Engineer in Agronomy). Department of Plant Science (1977-1982) gra- duated from the Autonomous University of Chapingo, Mexico. In 1983, she obtained with academic honour the specialization in Agricultural Planning and Development. CESPA-SARH- ONU-CEPAL, Mexico, M.Sc. Fruit Production (1985-1988) ob- tained in the Postgraduates College in Agricultural Sciences, Mexico with investigation honour with her M. Sc. thesis enti- tled “Effect of gibberellic acid and auxins on “nopal tunero" (prickly pear, Opuntia amyclaea T). Dr. Sc. in Plant Physiology (1993-1995) obtained in the Institute of Genetic Resources and Productivity of the Postgraduates College in Agricultural Sciences, Mexico, with aca- demic honour. Title of Dr. Sc. Thesis “Advances in the ecophysiological knowledge of the pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus). From 1983 to 1989, she was working in the Coordination of Districts of Rural Develo- pment of the Secretary of Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she participated in research projects related to fruit production, besides of imparting training courses and advice to farmers and professionals in this area. From 1989 to the date, she is a Researcher-Professor of the Nacional Polytechnic Ins- titute in the Department of Natural Resources of the CIIDIR-IPN Oaxaca, where she has been leading research projects about biological and horticultural aspects of cac- ti potential as a fruit crop for subtropical areas in particularly prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) in relation with growth regulators, and pitahaya (Hylocereus spp) focused on the research and conservation. These projects have been financially supported by CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT, México), the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of the Nature A. C. (FMCN), the Regional Research Sys- tem “Benito Juarez” of the CONACYT (SIBEJ) as well as of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), besides of imparting training courses to producers and to students of the Master in Handling and Conservation of Natural Resources of the CIIDIR-IPN Oaxaca. She has participated and discussed her findings at lectures, symposia, as well as, national and international congresses and also offered magistral conferences about the pitahaya of the genus Hylocereus in Nicaragua, Colombia, Spain, Guatemala and Mexico. She has published in magazines with national and international arbitration their works related with the use of regulators of the growth to reduce the number and size of the seeds in prickly pear, and about the exchange of CO2 in the pitahaya, under field conditions and water stress. Also, she has published two books: Pitahaya a New Crop for Mexico and Toward the Knowledge and Conservation of the Pitahaya, and also the chapter: The Genetic Resources in Perspective, of the book Phytogene- tic Resources of Mexico for the Feeding and the Agriculture. She was member of the Committee of research projects of the SIBEJ-CONACYT and of the FMCN., and at the present she is appraiser and editor of scientific articles for two Mexican magazines of high national prestige and of international circulation: Revista Fitotecnia Mexicana (of the Mexican Society of Phytogenetic) and Revista Chapingo, Serie Horticultura (Autonomous University of Chapingo). Dr. Liberato Portillo Coordinator of the Working group "Cochineal" Born in Guadalajara, México in September 8, 1964; holds a En- gineer in Plant Technology title by the University of Guadalaja- ra, México (Thesis on Dactylopius coccus ~cochineal rearing-, 1992); Postgraduate in Biotechnological Processes (CIATEJ and University of Guadalajara, México, Thesis on Plant Bio- technology, 1997), and Doctor in Plant Biotechnology by the University of Guadalajara, México and EEZ, Granada, Spain (in process: 2003-2006). Since 1988 He is teacher and researcher of the Dept. of Bo- tany and Zoology, University of Guadalajara, México; He was Director or Laboratory of Biotechnology of the University of Guadalajara (2001-2002), also as from 1997 He has been granted as a Researcher by University of Guadalajara, Ministry of Public Education and the Council of Science and Technology, México, He has directly supervised a number of undergraduate and graduate Thesis, thus contributing to the apprenticeship of an important number of students. His research activities relate maynly to the culture, uses, biotechnology and sustai- nability of cochineal, cactus and succulent plants, maynly from arid zones. He has participated in several national and international congresses and offered conferen- ces in different countries (Bolivia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Italy, Perti and United CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005 ZzStates). He also has been in several Universities for academic stages (University of Tucuman-Argentina, University of Huamanga-Perti, University of Florida and Univer- sity of Knoxville, both in United States. He leads several national and international research projects and published more than 25 papers including books chapters and technical booklets. He participates as teacher in several courses for undergraduate and graduated stu- dents and as instructor in several rural extension courses and workshops in México and other counties as Bolivia At present He is developing his Ph. D. degree on bioreactors to propagate high quantities of succulent plants. Currently He is also the Coordinator of the Cochineal Working Group of CACTUSNET-FAO, a member of several scientific organizations on Entomology, Biotechnology and Cactology, also since 1990 He is the editor of Bulletin Nakari (ISSN 1405-1613) of the Society of Cactus in Jalisco, México) and informative charts for rural communities. Prof. Giovanni Nieddu Coordinator of the Working group "Fruit production" Born on October 14, 1957 in Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy. Holder of & an Agricultural Science title by the University of Sassari (1983) and attendant of international and national postgraduate courses (UE/O.I.L.B. - "Integrated and Biological Pest Control", NATO. - Advanced Study Institute "Advanced Agricultural Instrumentation; C.S.I.C., Valencia, Spain "Fruit tree physio- logy". Winner of a fellowship in the University of Sassari from 1983 to 1985 on studies of fruit trees cultivation. From 1986 to 1990 he worked as researcher in the Italian Research National Council Institute (C.N.R), where coordinated projects on fruit trees physiology and genetic resources. In 1990 he joined as researcher the University of Sassari, Department of Economics and woody plants, through selection and then was elevated to the position of associated professor from 2001 till the present. During this period he gave many courses in international masters and in the Agriculture Fa- culty on fruit culture, plant propagation and viticulture. He directly supervised seve- ral graduate and postgraduate students. He lead, as regional or national coordinator, many research projects supported by UE, (Resgen 029, 061), Italian Ministry of Uni- versity and Research (cover crop and water stress in vineyards), Italian Ministry of Agriculture (olive and grape phenology), Sardinian government (rural development, cooperation projects with developing countries). He participated in several natio- nal and international congresses and presented conferences in different countries (Chile, Morocco, and Spain) Author of more than 120 scientific papers, including books chapters, related to flowering and fruit growth, water stress and fruit tree genetic resources Member of I.S.H.S. (International Society of Horticultural Science), G.R.E.M.PA. (Groupe de recherches et d'études méditerrannéen pour le pistachier et l'amandier), CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005 Ss etS.0.|. (Societa Orticola Italiana), SA.GU.C (Sardinian group for University coopera- tion) and of the FAO International Network on Cactus Pear. In this network is coordi- nator of the working group" Fruit production". Claudio Flores Valdez Coordinator of the Working group "Socio-economics and rural development" He graduated in 1969 from the National Agricultural School, Mexico (Escuela Nacional de Agricultura). Since 1972, he is hired as Professor/ Researcher at the Department of Agricultu- ral economics at "Escuela Nacional de Agricultura, ahora Uni- versidad Autonoma Chapingo’. He has been teaching several topics, including rural sociology, agricultural engineering, and agro-industries. He was advisor of large number of students and participated actively in all FAO-CACTUS Network mee- tings. He organized 6 Congresses related to cactus at national and international levels. He was author of more than scientific and technical papers related to cactus cropping and uses. He was coordinator of the research program on nopal at the University CIESTAAM- UACH, President of the Mexican Association to Promote and Valorize Cactus and Cactaceas (AMCAN), North America Regional Coordinator of the FAO-CACTUS Net and member of the Texas Prickly Pear Council. —cactuswet + issue Ne 9 + maRcH 2005 | EESNew subscribers Dra. Silvina Caloggero EEA. San Juan, INTA Calle 11 y Vidart, Villa Aberastain- San Juan ~ Argentina (CP : 5427) Tel./Fax +54 (264) 492-1079/492-1191 Email : scaloggero@sanjuan.inta.gov.ar Dr. Ramon Armando Ricarte Ciudadela Nro 180. C.P. 5380 Chamical (L.R.) Argentina Tel. 03826-422311 Fax. 03826-422556 Email : aricarte@arnet.com.ar Mr. Guillermo Cadena Avilla General Manager. Promotora Tecnica Indutrial, S.A. de C.V. Indiana 260-604, Col. Cd. De Los Deportes Mexico D.F.C.P.03170 Mexico Tel. (52-55) 55-38-80-34/55-98-74-24 Fax. (52-55) 55-98-74-24 Email : promotec@prodigy.net.mx Mrs. Rita Libertini and Mr, Adrian Girotti Nesto Lainez 2731 (8000) Bahia Blanca. PCIA. Buenos Aires, Argentina Tel. (0291) 481397 Email : ritalibertini@hotmail.com Prof. Andries R. Wessels PO. Box 2230 Naboomspruit 0560 South Africa Tel. 0834533270 Fax. 0147431160 Email : gert.ackermann@absamail.com CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005,Dr. Yair Ben-Dov Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization PO, Box 6 Bet Dagan, 50250 Isreal Phone : 972-39683831 Fax. 972--9683831/3-9604180 Email : yairdb@int.gov.il Visit ScaleNet — the systematic database of the Scale Insects of the world. httpy//www.sel.barc.usda.gow/scalenet/scalenet.ht Mrs. Fatiha Alilou Centre Régional de la Recherche Agronomique de Meknés. INRA, B.P. 578, Meknés 50000- Maroc Email : Olea@ibnawam.inra.org.ma Dr Miguel Angel Salas Luevano Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas. Unidad Academica de Agronomia A.P. 617 Suc. « C » 98068 Zacatecas, ZAC. Mexico Email : Masalas@cantera.reduaz.mx Prof. Ofelia Araceli Lopez Mi Universidad tecnologica de Tecamachalco. Av, Universidad Tecnologica No. 1 Colonia El Montecillo Tecamachalco Puebla, Mexico Tel. 01 (249) 4221935 Ext 141 Fax. 01(249) 4221935 Ext 102 Email : alopez@ultecam.edu.mx Prof. Hennie Snyman Dept of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences PO, box 339 University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel. 051 401 2221 Fax. 051 401 2608 Email : SnymanHA@Sci.uovs.ac.za Laboratoires Bio Serae S.A. N°1 avenue de la Pruilhe. Parc Technologique du Lauragais. 11150 Bram, France. Tel, 33(0)468767620, Fax. 33(0)468767621 Email : www. bioserae.com; research@bioserae.com __CACTUSNET © ISSUE N° 9 * MARCH 2005New subscribers Dear subscribers We are updating our mailing list. Please fill out this page and return it by fax or email so that you continue receiving the news, and those we have accurately recorded your name and address. If you have any colleagues interested in receiving CACTUSNET NEWSLETTER, pass on a copy or send in their address to: CACTUSNET NEWSLETTER C/O Ali Nefzaoui INRAT, Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragéres Rue Hédi Karray, 2049 Ariana, Tunisie Fax. (+ 216.71 231592) Email: nefzaoui.ali@iresa.agrinet.tn Please include brief description of your recent current research related to cactus. We also welcome comments, stories, abstracts of your work, job or meeting announcements, requests, etc. CACTUSNET * ISSUE N° 9 © MARCH 2005 __OS ia Nee SS ee 1p lees FAO INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION NETWORK ON CACTUS & @2 Gel ele eats for Haman consumption o Se \ } . 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