Densidad de siembra y frecuencias de corte en el rendimiento de Cratylia argentea (desvaux) o. kuntze en el sur de veracruz

The objective was to define population density and cutting frequency of Cratylia Argentea in order to achieve the highest herbage production. Three cutting frequencies (60, 90 and 120 days) and three population densities (6,666, 10,000 and 20,000 plants ha-1) were assessed. Treatments were set in a factorial design (3x3) with three replicates. Dry matter yield, cumulative herbage mass (CHM), growth rate (GR), plant height, percent of herbage intake, basal stem quantity (BSQ) and stem diameter were evaluated. Results were tested through variance analysis and Tukey's test for averages. Cumulative herbage mass increased with population density (5,419, 6,740 and 9,095 kg ha-1 y-1 for 6,666, 10,000 and 20,000 plants ha-1 respectively (P<0.05), and at higher defoliation intervals (P<0.05). The higher and lower GRs were observed at 120 and 60 d cutting frequency (31 and 8.3 kg ha-1 d-1) and population densities of 6,666 and 20,000 plants ha-1, respectively. CHM throughout the year was 55, 25 and 20 % for rainy, dry and "nortes" seasons, respectively. Percent of herbage intake was 69, 69 and 61 % for 60, 90 and 120 d, respectively (P<0.05). A greater BSQ (P<0.05) was observed as the population density increased. It can be concluded that the highest yield is obtained with a 120 d defoliation frequency and a 20,000 plants ha-1 population density of Cratylia Argentea.