Effects of water stress on Opuntia ficus-indica under three different irrigation regimes

J.R. Valenzuela-García<sup>1; 2</sup>; A.I. Luna-Maldonado; M.A. Méndez-Dorado; M. Cadena-Zapata; J. Arredondo-Valdez³; J.A. López-López; M.G. Valenzuela-Carrizales; B.E. de la Peña- Casas; H.E. Gonzalez-Ramirez

ISSN: 0972-1045

Effects of water stress on Opuntia ficus-indica under three different irrigation regimes

Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2025, 27(3): 508-512.

Effects of water stress on Opuntia ficus-indica under three different irrigation regimes

J.R. Valenzuela-García^1,2, A.I. Luna-Maldonado¹*, M.A. Méndez-Dorado², M. Cadena-Zapata², J. Arredondo-Valdez³, J.A. López-López², M.G. Valenzuela-Carrizales², B.E. de la Peña- Casas² and H.E. Gonzalez-Ramirez²

¹Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Agronomía, Departamento de Ingeniería Agrícola y de los Alimentos, Francisco Villa S/N, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, 66050, Mexico. ²Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro. Departamento de Maquinaria Agrícola. Calz. Antonio Narro 1923. Buenavista, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. ³Instituto Tecnológico de Saltillo, Departamento de Mecatrónica. Blvd. Venustiano. Carranza. Saltillo, Coahuila. Mexico. Corresponding e-mail: alejandro.lunaml@uanl.edu.mx

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2025.v27i03.92

Key words: Drought, opuntia, cladode, NDVI

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Abstract:

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a vital species in arid and semi-arid regions due to its economic, nutritional, and ecological benefits. As droughts become more severe, food production is increasingly threatened. This study aimed to assess the impact of water stress on the growth and productivity of OFI under various irrigation treatments in the semi-arid region of Coahuila, Mexico. The experimental design included four irrigation treatments with different soil moisture levels (T1: 31.67%, T2: 27.05%, T3: 19.37%, and a control irrigated to saturation) using the Atlixco variety. The variables measured—humidity percentage, plant temperature, OFI cladodes temperature, soil temperature, and NDVI—showed no significant differences. However, cladode thickness, particularly at the tip and middle sections, increased under higher stress treatments, suggesting an adaptation to water scarcity. Cladode yield was significantly higher in T2 (5.71 kg) compared to the other treatments, indicating that OFI can sustain productivity under water-limited conditions.