Physic nut yield in different spacing planting and intercropping models

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different spacing plantings and intercropping models on physic nut trees yield in two harvest seasons. The experimental trial was carried out in Coronel Pacheco, Minas Gerais, in a randomized complete bocks design, in a split-plotted scheme. The experimental unit was represented by 5 different spacing plantings 6x3m (555 pl ha^-1); 12x(2x2)m (714 pl ha^-1); 10x(2x2)m (833 pl ha^-1); 8x(2x2)m (1,000 pl ha^-1); 6x1,5m (1.111 pl ha^-1) and the sub-unit by two intercropping models (crop-livestock-forestry - iLPF, and livestock-forestry - SSP). The evaluation period contemplated 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 harvest seasons. The results showed that the higher spacing planting (6x3m) had a positive effect on individual tree yield, overcoming the others. No effect was observed for number of seeds per fruit and seed weight. The yield per hectare was higher in the closest spacing planting (6x1.5m), however it did not follow a linear trend. The iLPF system affected yield positively, overcoming the SSP system

agroforestry; biodiesel; Jatropha curcas