Resumen

SANCHEZ, Alexander; ROMERO, Carlos; ARAQUE, Cesar  y  FLORES, Ramón. Dry matter production of Leucaena leucocephala in different harvest ages and seasons under an artisan irrigation system. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.1, pp.38-48. ISSN 0798-7269.

Summary To evaluate dry matter yield of Leucaena leucocephala under drip irrigation system, it was carried out a trial in Zamurito’s area, Municipality of Buchivacoa, Falcon state, Venezuela. The experimental area was 1.500 m2, irrigated by means of a handmade dripping system, with a consuming water use of 4 mm/day, watering sheet of 54 mm/irrigation, and an application frequency of 3 days. The variables were: yield and composition of dry matter (DM). The experimental area had four replicates and randomly distributed, according to the following treatments: Harvest ages: 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 days, and season of the year: end of rainy season (ERS), and dry season (DS). Results showed that both yield and distribution of DM in both seasons and cutting ages were highly significant (P<0.01), with the highest value in ERS, when compared to DS (1284 vs. 852 kg DM/ha, respectively). Likewise, it was found a contribution of 64% of edible fraction (leaves and stems < 6 mm) of DM at 75 and 105 days of age on the top and the middle of the plant profile at the end of the rainy season, where the highest values were found. Implementation of a handcrafted drip irrigation system represents an alternative for growing Leucaena in the semiarid area of Falcon state.

Palabras clave : drip irrigation; dry matter yield..