A influência do espaçamento sôbre o ciclo vegetativo do sisal

Abstract

The present paper deals with the influence of different rates of spacing on the poling of sisal plants (Agave sisalana Perrine). The results were obtained from spacing trials (four randomized blocks of nine treatments) carried out at the Ribeirao Preto and Pindorama Experimental Stations. The percentages of poling plants, up to the 5th leaf cutting, were 20,0% and 91,7% for the narrowest (1,2 x 2,0 m) and widest (2,0 x 3,0 m) spacings tried in Pindorama, while in Ribeirao Preto they were 12,5% and 02,5%, respectivelly. According to these results it may be concluded that the narrow spaced plants were less liable to early poling than the wide spacing ones. The trial at Ribeirao Preto also indicated that among the plants, grown under the same conditions, those producing leaves at a faster rate were the first to pole. At that Station, the yearly average lenf production per plant (for all treatments) up to the 4th leaf cutting, has been 41,5 leaves for those plants poling after 63 months ; 38,0 leaves for those poling after 74 months ; and 35,3 leaves for those plants not poled up to 5 th cutting.