EFFECT OF PRUNING INTERVAL ON FOLIAGE AND ROOT BIOMASS IN FODDER TREE SPECIES IN MONOCULTURE AND ASSOCIATION

Abstract

The present study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the effect of pruning as a strategy to reduce competition of fodder trees. A total of 24 10 x 10 m-plots were used, which were planted with L. leucocephala and G. ulmifolia and the association of both species. The effect of pruning (3 and 6 months) on foliage biomass yield and root density of each cropping system were quantified. Pruning increased foliage accumulated yield (P<0.05), mainly on the associated crop, which resulted with highest yield (794 kg DM ha-1). Similarly, defoliation improved (P<0.05) leaf-stem ratio in the evaluated cropping systems. In contrast, defoliation did not influence (P>0.05) neither root density in length (Lv) (0.14 cm cm-3) and in weight (DRP) (0.40 mg cm-3). Pruning appears to be a strategy to improve yield and quality of foliage biomass. Nevertheless, pruning has an important influence on the underground component, where plant has to invest a large amount of resources for root production with the objective of increasing the soil resource exploitation.