IRRIGATION EFFECT ON Acacia saligna (Labill.) H. Wendl. GROWTH AND FORAGE PRODUCTION, IN CHILEAN ARID ZONE

• Autor(a) principal: Poblete, Freddy Mora
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Outros Autores: Rojas, Raúl Meneses
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Cerne (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://cerne.ufla.br/site/index.php/CERNE/article/view/568
• topic: biomass; basal diameter; height; irrigation

The effects of irrigation on height, basal diameter and forage production of Acacia saligna at the age of 16 months were analyzed. A randomized complete blocks design was used, with four treatments: T1 without water application; and T2, T3 and T4 with applications of 4, 8 and 16 liters of water per month, during 16 months. Analysis of variance for all the parameters and regression analysis was made for forage dry matter in relation to water application; in addition, water use efficiency was calculated measured in function of forage dry matter produced per water volume applied. The analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences between treatment (P<0. 01), for all parameters evaluated. Dry matter production was 35.0; 199.6; 229.6 y 268.3 g/plant for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. According to the regression equation, the highest dry matter production was 282.022 g/plant with 12.6 L of water applied. Increasing water availability to Acacia saligna plants increases both growth and forage production; however, the water use efficiency diminishes.