TORAL, Odalys C    IGLESIAS, J. M. Evaluation of forage tree and shrub accessions during the establishment period. []. , 35, 1, pp. 17-28. ISSN 0864-0394.

At the Experimental Station of Pasture and Forages «Indio Hatuey» , 43 forage tree and shrub accessions, from the prospections and collections conducted in different Cuban ecosystems, were evaluated in order to select the best during the establishment period. There were differences among and within the accessions regarding performance during such period. Thirteen accessions of Leucaena, seven of Albizia, six of Bauhinia, two of Enterolobium, two of Cassia and one from the genera Morus, Gmelina, Gliricidia and Moringa, respectively, reached values higher than the population mean, for which they were selected as the most promising. After being transplanted, 22 accessions reached an average height of 2,11 m between 7 and 14 months, which exceeded the criterion set for the establishment. The survival of these accessions during the period varied between 80 and 100%, with the exception of B. reticulata and P. discolor. The evaluation of the accessions, on a moderate-fertility soil, was concluded to show the existence of individuals with an outstanding capacity of adaptability to those conditions, which allowed their selection in early stages of the selective process; total variability was high regarding the measured and/or estimated indicators, which determined a marked differentiation among individuals. Height and the months the plants took to be established were the most variable indicators, which contributed, remarkably, to the later grouping and casuistic selection of the outstanding accessions; 75% of the accessions adapted to the soil conditions and were tolerant, with relation to the exploitation system, if it is considered that neither irrigation nor fertilization was used. Incorporating the outstanding accessions is recommended in more advanced stages, related to studies in systems where the trees are used associated to pastures or other systems in which their use is foreseen.

: Trees and shrubs; plant establishment; survival.

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