Abstract

CORDOVI, E et al. Characterization of forage tree and shrub species in semiarid climate of southern Mozambique. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2013, vol.36, n.4, pp. 434-439. ISSN 0864-0394.

In order to characterize the performance of forage tree and shrub species in semiarid climate, a cut and carry experiment was conducted with Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena pallida, Moringa oleifera, Senna siamea and Morus alba, without irrigation. The design was randomized blocks, with four replications, and 12-m² plots were used. In the summer, L. leucocephala, L. pallida, S. siamea and M. alba produced, as average, more than 12 t of DM per hectare; while in the winter between 9,38 and 11,62 t/ha were obtained, except in M. oleifera (5,49 t/ha). The cutting intervals varied between 62 and 65 days in the summer; while in the winter they increased up to 102 and 117 days in G. sepium and M. oleifera, respectively, and oscillated between 81 and 92 days for the other species. The leaf percentage was higher in the winter and S. siamea stood out (62 and 69 % in the summer and winter, respectively). During the winter a high DM production was obtained, in which G. sepium, M. alba and S. siamea were outstanding (47-50 %). The good performance of these tree and shrub species under semiarid conditions was confirmed, with DM yields higher than 12 t/ha and a stable production during the year. It is recommended to include them in studies with animals in silvopastoral systems and protein banks; as well as to use other planting frames in order to improve their productive potential

Keywords : trees and shrubs; semiarid climate; browsing plants.

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