ABSTRACT
The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the use of the leucena [Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) of Wit] as direct pasture in the field. A multivariate silvopastoral experiment with repeated measures, carried out in the experimental station of Pernambucana Company of Agricultural Research (IPA) in Caruaru, Agreste of Pernambuco, was used for this purpose. The plant spacing of 0.5m x 1.0m, 1.0m x 1.0m and 1.5m x 1.0m with the heights of cut of 20cm, 40cm and 60cm, was tested. The measurements have been carried through at same month of the year (August) along five years. The presented result shows that the measures along the time are correlated and there were significant differences among the plant spacing during the period of the experiment. No significant differences among the heights of cut and its interactions with the plant spacing occurred. Because of a larger number of plants per unit area, yielding greater productivity of biomass per hectare, the plant spacing of 0.5m x 1.0m is recommended for silvopastoral systems in the Agreste of Pernambuco.
Keywords:
repeated measures; silvopastoral experiments; leucena