Organic fertilization increases yield and affects the postharvest quality of Nopalea cochenillifera cladodes

Organic fertilization can promote greater production of cladodes as well as increase phytomass production and the quality and content of bioactive compounds. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the sources and doses of organic fertilizer on the production and quality of forage palm cladodes. A completely randomized experimental design in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme with five replications was used. Three sources of organic fertilizer (chicken manure, cattle manure, and goat manure) and three concentrations of each source (0, 10, and 20%) were studied. Cladodes fresh mass, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were evaluated. Palm cladodes fertilized with 20% chicken manure produce the highest biomass, while cladodes fertilized with 10% chicken manure have the highest palatability and content of bioactive compounds. Thus, fertilization with 10% chicken manure is the most promising and economically viable way to increase the production and quality of palm cladodes. The research demonstrated that fertilization with chicken, cattle, and goat manure increases the productivity, nutritional quality, and palatability of the cladodes intended for human consumption, providing a sustainable and healthy alternative for the region.