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The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and chemical composition for different cropping systems of the culture of forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) P. Mill). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement 2x2x2 with four repetitions. The factors corresponded to plants exposed to the sun or shaded (by Spondias spp.), Cladodes planting position of forage palm (facing wide face east/west or north/south) and with or without organic fertilization with cattle manure cutting. The Forager Palma was planted with a spacing of 1,0m x 0,5m in Quixadá, Ceará, Brazil. The experiment was conducted from November 2003 to November 2007, being held two cutting. green mass production every two years and the dry matter production was evaluated. The chemical composition was evaluated in the final cut. Shading with Caja (Spondias ssp.) With 1,5m tall promoted reduction in green mass production of forage cactus, which was not observed in the second cut to dry mass. In the second cut palm that received organic fertilizer obtained higher green mass production with 60,48t ha-1. Planting position of the spineless cactus cladodes influenced the amount of acid detergent fiber. The spineless cactus must be planted without shading, with direction of the widest part of cladodes in the east/west planting and organic fertilization of manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]