Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of agroforestry systems in the semiarid, and to evaluate the productivity of eucalyptus in three planting spacing, in single cultivation in agroforestry systems. The comparison of the systems was in a randomized block design with four systems (monoculture; peanut systems; castor bean; cassava) and three eucalyptus spacing (10 m x 2 m, 10 m x 3 m and 10 m x 4 m). Monocultures and other characteristics were compared by randomized block design. Peanut productivity was evaluated at three and a half months, castor productivity at five and eight months and cassava productivity at 21 months. Eucalyptus productivity was measured at 13 and 21 months of age. The results showed that the wood production was greater in the 10 m x 2 m spacing and in the system with castor and single cultivation. The castor yield was higher in the system, in the 10 m x 3 m spacing, while the cassava productivity was higher in monoculture. The area equivalence index of the systems was higher than that of monocultures. Therefore, eucalyptus agroforestry systems intercropped with castor and cassava are suitable for the semiarid region. The 10 m x 2 m spacing provided a larger volume of wood (m³ ha-1). Castor yield was higher in the 10 m x 3 m spacing. For cassava, the highest yield was obtained in monoculture and in the system with 10 m x 3 m or 10 m x 4 m spacing.
Highlights
Agroforestry systems enable the production of wood and food in the same area, using the natural resources available in the ecosystem in a rational and sustainable way to meet the growing needs of the world population (MACEDO et al, 2018)
A higher wood volume per hectare was obtained in agroforestry systems intercropped with castor bean, and single cultivated Eucalyptus at both ages and tree spacings
An exception was observed for the spacing of 10 m × 3 m at 21 months, in which the highest wood volume per hectare was shown only for the agroforestry systems with castor bean
Summary
Agroforestry systems enable the production of wood and food in the same area, using the natural resources available in the ecosystem in a rational and sustainable way to meet the growing needs of the world population (MACEDO et al, 2018) This system has become an alternative for sustainable development by providing diversified production and the possibility of a steady income with the marketing of agricultural products, while the forest grows in the same production area (MACEDO et al, 2018; NIERI et al, 2018). Semiarid regions are defined by their climatic features, such as strong insolation, high temperatures, and scarce and irregular rain regimes (SILVA et al, 2010) These characteristics undermine agricultural productive capacity, narrowing the possibilities of crops to develop without the increased use of technologies to meet climatic demands. This region is home to approximately 22 million people and comprises an area of 982,563.3 km with 1,133 municipalities
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