Evaluation of different Cactus pear genotypes under Hot arid ecosystem

The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the five genotypes of cactus pear namely, vegetable type (spineless), clone 1270, clone 1271, Bikaner Local Collection and Solan Collection at the Field Block of ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner during 2017-18.Evaluation was done with respect to field establishment, mortality rate, sprouting of cladodes, growth, flowering and fruiting related attributes. In spine less vegetable type genotype field establishment was recorded 76.93 % with 23.04 % mortality of the plants whereas remaining four genotypes showed 100% establishment and 0.00% mortality rate. Genotype 'Solan Collection' sprouted first followed by clone 1270, vegetative type, clone 1271 and at last 'Bikaner local collection'. Average plant height was recorded highest (56.60 cm) of clone 1271 followed by Solan Collection (53.30 cm), Clone 1270 (45.20), Vegetable type (43.90 cm) and lowest (41.30 cm) in Bikaner Local Collection. Maximum number of cladodes (16-32) per plant was observed in Solan Collection while minimum (7-10) in genotype Bikaner Local. Flowering and fruiting was observed in all genotypes except Clone 1271 after one year of planting. Vegetable type genotype flowered first followed by Bikaner Local, Solan Collection and at last Clone 1270. Maximum number of fruits per plant was noted in Vegetable type (1-8) while minimum (01) in Solan Collection. Genotype suitable for human consumption for culinary exploitation was vegetable type (spineless) or we can say this genotype of cactus pear is multipurpose and others either suited for animal feed or use as biofencing