A True Multi Purpose Crop -- Food, Medicine, Biofuel, Industrial Products and Carbon Sequestration
Perhaps no other single species possesses such high potential for desert and dryland sustainable agriculture in terms of adaptation, productivity, and amount of products, both fresh and processed, for foods and medicinal use. Improved varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica fit into many different cultivation methods for both commercial and home use plantings.
Additional production capabilities for biofuel, biomass, and significant carbon capture/credit use (see below). Opuntia production is easily managed due to low water and other inputs, while having few pests and diseases.
The Sabrana variety has been chosen as the target for propagation and field planting due to having extensive published research, high fruit and pad productivity, fast rate of growth with low water input, and excellent fruit quality. Fruit quality = Flavor + Sweetness + High pulp to seed ratio + Small seeds + Good exterior color + Dark red interior.
A collaborative Opuntia project involving large scale micro-propagation of the Sabrana variety is ongoing with the CARBON CACTUS FOUNDATION.
The well researched and quality Sabrana variety propagated at LBCAS
Carbon Sequestration, Biofuel and Industrial Products -- the emergence of DESERT POWER
When planted at appropriate densities, Opuntia sequesters as much carbon as would be expected from a forest, while growing on marginal arid lands and deserts with very low water and other inputs. This creates very high potential, especially coupled with the many other products produced by the plant.
Adding to the equation is the ability to produce biofuel as a renewable and sustainable energy supply, more important than ever with elevated fuel pricing. Another significant product stream derives from the large amount of bioactive mucilage produced by the plant. This polymer substance has many industrial uses including biodegradable plastics, plus food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic ingredients.
In addition to income streams from fruit, young Nopalito pads for food, and biofuel, carbon credits may be utilized as a additional incentive for growers.
Most importantly, Opuntia has the ability to sequester carbon in the form of calcium carbonate (limestone calcite crystals), a permanent form of sequestration. This takes place both in the above ground parts of the plant and the roots. Typical carbon sequestration produces organic matter which will eventually break down at the end of a plants lifecycle, releasing the carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Improved spineless fruiting Opuntia cactus in the field.
Commercial Potential
Improved Opuntia offers high weight production per acre of fruits and young vegetable pads, both having a strong existing market. The fruit (Tunas), and young pads (Nopalitos) are ubiquitous in markets, and are staple foods of the Hispanic community. The commercial varieties of Tunas found in the marketplace are inferior, and Nopalitos are not fresh by the time they arrive in store. Thus, local production of quality fresh, local Opuntia products is advantageous, especially with the existing market and price point.
There is high processing potential for food and supplement use. Many products are already found in the natural product and ethnic marketplace, made from both the pads and the fruit, and the plant contains many known bioactive compounds with health benefits. Examples are weight loss products, liquids, teas, powders, capsules, extracts, confections, cactus jam, seed oil, Nopalito pickles, and instant beverages. Many other products are possible, an ongoing LBCAS project.
Biofuel and carbon credits provide additional income streams for growers.
LBCAS assists with all aspects of Improved Opuntia production, including providing plant material, sustainable and organic cultivation methods, plus processing and finished product development. Commercial quantities of improved Opuntia material available with contract propagation.
Opuntia fruit powder for instant drinks
Multiple and Permanent Carbon Storage Strategies
Opuntia has the unique ability to store carbon in four different forms:
1. Very long term calcium carbonate (calcite crystals) storage in the pads and roots.
2. Organic acids produced by its desert adapted CAM metabolism (see below).
3. As carbohydrates which include sugars, starches.
4. To provide strength, Opuntia contains an extensive, fibrous skeleton containing a high amount of carbon.
In light of the above facts, it is clear that Opuntia is a high value multi use crop whose time has come.
Electron micrograph of Calcite (calcium carbonate limestone) crystals inside the Opuntia plant
Improved Varieties are Crucial for commercial Production
For Opuntia, the term "improved" refers to plant breeding and selection relating to four factors:
1. The original selection work by Luther Burbank which led to the development of spinless Opuntia cactus. In wild forms, the plant is covered in sharp spines up to two inches long, and spineless varieties are quite smooth, as shown.
2. Improved quality of fruit in terms of production, fruit size, flavor, flesh to seed ratio, sugar content, color, and seed size.
3. Traits for vigor, biomass production and fast growth rate.
4. Quality of pads for vegetable (Nopalito) use.
Interior of the Sabrana variety fruit - good flavor, sweetness, and a very high flesh to seed ratio.
Opuntia Water Saving Strategies
Opuntia cactus is formed by flattened stems called cladodes or pads. Small vestigial leaves only appear on very young developing pads, which are soon lost.
The Opuntia cactus has several strategies for extreme drought tolerance while still remaining productive: An extensive succulent root system, a heavy wax layer covering the pads to prevent water loss, thick pads with high viscosity sap, and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) which allows the stomata (pores) of the plant to remain closed during the day to prevent water loss.
Normally, stomata must remain open during daylight hours to uptake carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis, resulting in significant water loss on hot days. With CAM, the stomata open only at night with carbon dioxide absorbed and chemically stored for release during the next day of photosynthetic activity.
Stoma (breathing pore) on Opuntia pad which is almost closed. Note surrounding wax scales.
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