The effect of two soil handling systems was evaluated (without furrow and with furrow), three spacing (1.0 m × 1.5 m; 1.5 m × 2.0 m and 2.0 m × 2.0 m) on the quality and the productivity of rooster tree 60 days after cut. It was used a split-plot (space and time) factorial arrangement in a randomized block design. Factors were two soil handling systems and three planting densities (2 × 3) with five replications per treatment. Plants chosen randomly were cut, separated in accordance with treatments and analyed the contents of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), total carbohydrates (TC), and productivity (DM kg/ha). It was observed that the soil handling systems and planting densities did not influence the OM, MM, NDF, EE, lignin, cellulose, WSC and TC. The planting density affected the DM, hemicellulose, and ADF. The CP concentration was lower when using the handling systems with furrow. The DM largest productivity (699.72 kg MS/ha) of the rooster tree was verified in the more dense population (1.0 m × 1.5 m), corresponding to 6,666 plants/ha.
Calotropis procera; native forage; semi-arid zone; soil management; xerophytic plant
