Multivariate analysis in the morpho-yield evaluation of forage cactus intercropped with sorghum

Análise multivariada na avaliação morfo-produtiva da palma forrageira consorciada com o sorgo

ABSTRACT

Understanding the effect of the cropping system on the morpho-yield relationship of plants is crucial for success in the agricultural activity, mainly in arid and semi-arid regions, where there are major challenges for food production. In this study, the objective was to apply multivariate statistics in the morpho-yield evaluation of forage cactus clones in cropping systems as sole crop and intercropped with sorghum cultivars. The experiment was conducted in Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil, between March 18, 2017 and June 16, 2018. The design adopted was in randomized blocks with 12 treatments composed of three forage cactus clones in sole-crop system (IPA Sertânia, Miúda and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) and nine forage cactus-sorghum intercropping systems with the cultivars 467, SF11 and 2502. Morphometric and phytomass measurements of forage cactus clones were performed throughout the cycle. The relationship between the morpho-yield traits of the clones was evaluated by means of principal component analysis. Cladode width, length, perimeter, and area are morphometric variables that determine phytomass accumulation in clones. The cropping systems did not influence the association of morpho-yield traits, but it depends on the genus of forage cactus. Negative correlations between cladode dimensions and phytomass of the clones of the genus Nopalea explained their lower phytomass accumulations. Principal components analysis makes it possible to elucidate associations between morpho-yield variables of forage cactus.

Key words:
Opuntia; Nopalea; Sorghum spp.; principal component analysis