Productividad del chamizo Atriplex canescens con fines de reconversión: dos casos

Abstract

With the purpose of determining the productivity range of chamizo (fourwing saltbush) in both rangeland and cropland conditions, two plots were established in kastanozem soils at two different sites. In the cropland plot the shrub was planted in furrows (FA), in the rangeland plot two mechanized agricultural practices were used: 1) contour furrows with shrubs at its upper border (CF) and 2) planted in holes (H), as water reservoirs, with creeping prickly pear acting as barrier for water catchment. Plant height and two transversal measurements of plant diameter were taken for five years. Whole plants were cut (n=64) in each condition and dry matter was determined. A geometric model was set through regression. Mean yield for plants in the cropland plot was 1.24 kg, while in rangeland yield was 0.260 and 0.244 kg for H and CF, respectively, which represents approximately 1 kg difference. Regression models showed R2 values of 0.70 and 0.81 for H and CF, respectively. For shrubs established in the cropland plot, R2 value was 0.66. The maximum means predicted were 358 and 458 kg ha-1 for FC and H, respectively. In spite of using water holding practices, the cropland soil showed higher yield than that of rangeland. Productivity in both soil conditions represents the expected yield interval for fourwing saltbush.