Abstract

SANCHEZ, Saray; CRESPO, G  and  HERNANDEZ, Marta. Litter decomposition in a silvopastoral system of Panicum maximum and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit cv. Cunningham: II. Influence of climatic factors. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.4, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

With the objective of determining the litter decomposition in a silvopastoral system of Panicum maximum and Leucaena leucocephala and its relationship to some climate factors, this trial was conducted at the EEPF «Indio Hatuey». Litter decomposition was determined as the loss of biomass through time, with regards to initial weight. For studying the decomposition dynamics the method of litter bags was used; the performance of mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and days with rain, was daily recorded at the meteorological station located 1 km away from the experimental area. . The correlation and regression analysis was used to learn the interrelation between the variables and the best adjustment models. The studied climatic factors were considered independent variables, and the lost biomass percentage was considered a dependent variable. In general, the results showed that the performance of litter decomposition, in Guinea grass as well as leucaena, was related to the climatic factors that prevailed during the experimental period and, thus, it is possible to explain this process in both pasturelands from the joint action of temperature, relative humidity and rainfall.

Keywords : Climatic factors; litter; Leucaena leucocephala; Panicum maximum.

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