Growth, phenology and harvesting time of cactus-millet intercropping system under biotic mulching.

Development duration in the cactus is directly related to changes in the environment caused by the management, which can result in advancing or delaying the harvest. The aim of this study was to analyse the growth, phenology and cutting time of irrigated cactus intercropped with millet, with and without the use of mulch. The experimental design was of randomised blocks (regular arrangement) with four treatments: monocropped cactus, and intercropped cactus and millet, both with and without mulch. The cladode area index and dry matter were used to calculate the morphophysiological indices. The total number of cladodes on the plant was used to delimit the phenological phases. The ideal cutting time for the crop was determined from the dry matter. Under the monocrop system with mulch, the cactus was superior to the other systems regarding morphophysiological indices. The intercrop caused a reduction in phenophase 2 of the cactus and the advancement of phenophase 3, but there was no reduction in crop yield. The ideal cutting time was between 2,300 and 2,400°C day. The irrigated intercropping of cactus and millet advances the cutting time of the forage cactus, irrespective of the use of mulching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]