Influence of sowing distance and number of stakes in the establishment of the Maralfalfa (Pennisetum purpureum) pasture in the conditions of the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of the planting distance and the number of stakes on the behavior in Amazonic conditions of Pennisetum purpureum cv Maralfalfa, a factorial randomized block with three repetitions, have been used. This plant was sowed in parcels of 30m2, in floor inseptisol. A 20 cm of height cut of homogeneity was made after 120 days. The phenologic behavior of cultivating was measured weekly. The yield of biomass, the structure of the grass and the chemical composition were determined 120 days after regrowth. It was applied ANOVA analysis using Statistica package version 8,1. Significant interaction (P <0,05) between the planting density and number of stakes was found for the variables: germination percentages, yield of MS, leaf diameter, long of leaf and diameter stem; and significant interaction for the planting distance and the regrowth age, for the variables; plant height, number of leaves for shaft, shafts for clumps, area to foliate, diameter of the clumps. The yield, percentage of leaves, diameter of leaves and shafts were influenced by the distance among rows. The height, the number of leaves for stem, el area to foliate and the diameter of the clumps were influenced by the regrowth age. In the smallest planting distance they were observed smaller quantity of shafts by clumps, diameter of the clumps (3,8 cm) and area to foliate (5,2%). The conclusion is that the best planting density was a meter among furrows and a stake for each furrow which was sowed to spurt.