Effect of planting density on the growth pattern in Gliricidia sepium

Abstract

Three planting densities were evaluated, in terms of plant height (AP), base diameter (DB) and 30 cm above ground level (D30), stem perimeter (PT) and number of branches (NR) , during the two phases of initial and adult growth, of Gliricidia sepium, in the state of Zulia, Venezuela, in an area of ​​tropical dry forest, with soils classified as Typic Haplustult, with pH between 4.5 and 5.5. the planting densities were 1 × 1 m (10 000 plants / ha), 2 × 1 m (5 000 / ha) and 2 × 2 (2 500 / ha). A randomized block experimental design was used with an arrangement of divided plots and 3 replications. In the first phase, the PA increased (P <.05) with the highest planting density, reaching 1.99 m at 12 months of age at 10 000 plants / ha. The maximum values ​​(P <.05) for DB (38.23 mm), D30 (26.06 mm) and PT (9.78 cm) were obtained with a density of 5 000 plants / ha. In the adult phase, up to 20 months of age, an increase (P <.05) of DB (71.33 mm) was observed at the density of 2 500 plants / ha, while the highest PT (15.84 cm) was obtained with 5,000 plants / ha. The age × density interaction did not influence the variables evaluated.