Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)

The aim of this study was to explore the potential of prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica as a sustainable fodder crop and soil ameliorant in semi-arid conditions in Adana Plain, southern Türkiye. Followed by high forage productivity and ecological restoration, O. ficus-indica is not only known for its Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) but also for its impressive resilience to drought, heat, and low soils.For green forage yield, field experiments in 2023 showed an average yield of 18.2t/da/year or about 182t/ha/year with a dry matter and crude protein contents of about 12.4 and 5.2%, respectively. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was 57.8 and as such is confirmed to be a significant moisture content, highly digestible forage for integrated livestock systems. Meanwhile, a post-harvest soil analysis revealed significant gains in the ecology, with the amount of organic matter increased by 6.3%, nitrogen enriched approximately 8.7 times and pH between stable, this contributed to the composite Soil Fertility Change Index (SFCI) values from 1.23 to 1.52 for all plots. The findings were further strengthened through multivariate analyses, which added depth and interpretive power. Using k-means clustering, three distinct performance groups were identified, with Group A having the highest average productivity and soil fertility indicators. Pearson correlation analysis indicated strong correlations with soil organic matter (r = 0.8) nitrogen content (r = 0.72) and biomass yield (r = 0.78) while, separated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Factor 1 correlated with soil quality, and Factor 2 correlated to forage quality. Green forage yield also was a bridge variable between the two factors.
Such results add information to O. ficus-indica as sustainable feedstuff and soil restoration tool. With its low-input needs, high adaptation potential and multifunctional role as a food source, ingredient and industrial crop, it is now positioned as a strategic crop under climate-resilient Mediterranean agriculture (and alike). This study adds a strong theoretical foundation for inserting 0. ficus-indica in global warming adaptation strategies of restoration and feed security at the regional level.