Abstract

FONTES, Dayamí et al. Selection of herbaceous legumes for the development of cover in Valencia late orange plantations. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.1, pp.1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

The establishment of herbaceous legumes within fruit tree areas requires studies that prove the compatibility of these associations, aiming at improving production in these agroecosystems. The objective of this work was to select the most adequate legume species to be used as live cover in Valencia late orange plantations, based on their morphoagronomic characterization. The study was conducted in areas of the Ciego de Ávila Citrus Fruit Enterprise. For such purpose 3 m2 plots were established on a compacted Ferralitic Red soil, where neither fertilizers nor herbicides had been applied. Fourteen treatments were used and the following indicators were measured: emergence (7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after planting in each plot), height (cm), leaf cover (%) and seed production (t ha-1). According to the results, Teramnus labialis was the most adequate species to be used as live cover in citrus fruit plantations, in correspondence with the emergence percentage, the area covered, seasonal height and seed production reached during the evaluation process, for which its use is recommended in citrus fruit systems of V. late orange in Ciego de Ávila.

Keywords : Green cover; fruit plantations; legumes.

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