Abstract

WENCOMO, Hilda B. Effect of the inclusion of Leucaena spp. on the performance of the plant community. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.4, pp.1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

A study was conducted for two years in an area of 2 058 m2, on a Ferralitic Red soil of the EEPF «Indio Hatuey», which objective was to evaluate the performance of the plant community with the inclusion of leucaena trees. Simple 2 x 1 m plots were used. The studied indicators were: dry matter availability, chemical composition, floristic composition of the pastureland, population, height and diameter of leucaena. In the floristic composition of the pastureland, the predominance of P. maximum (P<0,001) could be observed. This association allowed a 6% increase in the population of the improved pasture; while leucaena increased its diameter and height. In turn, total DM availability was higher than 8 t/ha/rotation during the evaluation period. On the other hand, the grasses showed protein levels that oscillated between 9,7 and 11,7%, for the dry and rainy season, respectively; while in leucaena it was higher than 20%. No significant differences were detected in the chemical composition between seasons for any of the species. The floristic composition could be kept over 80% increasing the area covered by the improved pasture; the tree evolved positively in time, increasing the stem diameter.

Keywords : Plant communities; Leucaena spp; Panicum maximum.

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