Silvipastoral system of eucalyptus and dedigitaria grass in Chapada do Araripe, Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

The Chapada do Araripe region, in Brazil, is an important gypsum producer, with high energy demand for the industrial process. Currently, the main source of energy is the wood from the Caatinga vegetation. Aiming to reduce deforestation and boost the regional gypsum industry, eucalyptus has been indicated as an alternative for energy generation. Integrated systems of eucalyptus with adapted forage plant is a strategy to ensure stability and diversify production systems, increasing the supply of wood for energy and fodder for animal feed. The present study was implemented in 2008, in the experimental station of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco - IPA, in the municipality of Araripina-PE. The experiment consisted of five 5000 m2 plots, three of eucalyptus intercropped with grass: 1) eucalyptus at spacing of 6 m x 6 m + digitaria grass, 2) eucalyptus at spacing of 12 m x 6 m + digitaria grass and 3) eucalyptus at spacing of 12 m x 12 m + digitaria grass and two controls: 4) monoculture of eucalyptus planted at spacing of 3 m x 3 m and 5) monoculture of digitaria grass. At six years of age, it was observed that among the livestock-forest integration systems tested, the 6 m x 6 m spacing (278 trees/ha) provided the best yields in wood volume and forage biomass production.