Resumen

MARIN CH, D; GUEDEZ, Y  y  MARQUEZ DE HERNANDEZ, L. Guadua (Guadua angustifolia Kunth) and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris Wendland) plantations in San Javier, Yaracuy state, Venezuela: I. Climate and litterfall. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2008, vol.25, n.2, pp.261-285. ISSN 0378-7818.

Climatic characteristics in Experimental Campus of DANAC Foundation (San Javier, Yaracuy state, Venezuela), and litterfall of Bambusa vulgaris and Guadua angustifolia plantations, were studied. Annual mean values of rainfall, evaporation and air temperature, between 1988 and 2005, were 1362±252 mm, 2071± 88 mm and 26.5±0,8ºC, respectively. Climate was considered as Awi' type according to Köppen classification. Annual litterfall was significantly higher in B. vulgaris in relation to G angustifolia (17.67 vs 9.02 t.ha^-1; P<0,01). In both species, litterfall was continuous all the year but maximal values were founded in dry period for Guadua and for Bamboo in rainfall period. Leaves were the most important fraction in litterfall (54.6% in bamboo and 57.1% in guadua).

Palabras clave : Bambusa vulgaris; Guadua angustifolia; litterfall; climate.