This multi-use cactus holds potential for food and fuel
We talk a lot about crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat, but could we one day add cactus pear to the list?
With its high heat tolerance and low water use (80% less than some traditional crops), the cactus pear could provide fuel and food in regions where crop production previously hadn’t been possible, according to research from the University of Nevada.
“Maize and sugar cane are the major bioenergy crops right now but use three to six times more water than cactus pear,” reports John Cushman, University of Nevada biochemistry and molecular biology professor. “Cactus pear productivity is on par with these important bioenergy crops but use a fraction of the water and have a higher heat tolerance, which makes them a much more climate-resilient crop.”
Biofuel, Feed and More
In addition to its small environmental footprint, the cactus pear can work well as a bioenergy crop. Plus, because the pads are made of 90% water, they can be used as feed for livestock.
“Approximately 42% of land area around the world is classified as semi-arid or arid,” Cushman adds. “We can start growing cactus pear crops in abandoned areas that are marginal and may not be suitable for other crops.”
The fruit on the plant can be used by people for jams and jellies, and the pads can be also be used for fresh or canned vegetables.
“That’s the benefit of this crop,” Cushman says. “You’ve harvested the fruit and the pads for food, then you have this large amount of biomass sitting on the land that is sequestering carbon and can be used for biofuel production.”
