Eco-physiological interactions above and bellow ground in an agroforestry system of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Author(s)

Ciro Abbud Righi

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2001-01-26
• Advisor: Marcos Silveira Bernardes

Abstract

This work aims to understand the competition for light, water and other productive factors and their use by the crops in an Agroforestry System (AFS) of rubber trees and beans. Also, the modified output of both crops were quantified as a function of the mutual interaction between trees and associated crop. The trial was located in the experimental field of the Department of Plant Production – ESALQ/USP (22°42'30" S, 47°38'00" West) at Piracicaba, state of São Paulo. The experiment was designed in randomised blocks with 4 replications with the followings 4 treatments: (i) Rubber tree control (Hevea brasiliensis); (ii) Agroforestry System of rubber trees and beans with bellow grounds interactions avoided by a plastic sheet of 1.5 meters deep in a trench between both crops; (iii) Agroforestry System of rubber trees and beans with bellow grounds interactions and; (iv) Beans control (Phaseolus vulgaris), far form the influences of the rubber trees. Two subsequent beans crops were sowed on March 15, 1999 and July 15, 1999. During the field trial data of the growth and yield of both crops were collected. Climate conditions were monitored, using an automatic weather station. The growth of the beans crop was analysed by dry matter production, leaf area index, specific leaf area and yield, in relation to the distance from the rubber trees. The rubber trees were studied by considering its growth of the trunk perimeter, tree height, crown width and rubber yield. The conclusions were: i) Shading by the trees was the main factor to reduce growth and yield of beans; ii) Below ground competition was limited to the distance of 10m from the trees; iii) The AFS studied was more productive than the monocrops of its components. (AU)