Caracterización forrajera de un sistema silvopastoril de vegetación secundaria con base en la aptitud de suelo

Tree and shrub forage production were evaluated during the dry season in three soil within a silvopastoral system (SPS) complementary to traditional, local cattle systems in Yucatan, Mexico. Soils were Epileptic cambisol (CMlep, 24 %), Endoskelectic cambisol (CMnsk, 21.3 %) and Rodic luvisol (LVro, 28.4 %). Three, 100 m2 quadrants were set in each soil and vegetation with >1.0 cm maximun tree diameter at breast height inventoried in each quadrant. Experimental design was a stratified block arrangement with each soil being a block. Nine forage species were identified within the SPS. Bauhinia divaricata was the most abundant overall with 1,148 individuals and had the largest population (577 individuals) in the LVro. Piscidia piscipula (n= 495) had the largest basal area (1.8 m2) of the forage species. After standardization cut, only three species produced new shoots: Leucaena leucocephala, P. piscipula and B. divaricada. Considering these three species, the highest forage yield was observed in the CMlep. In this soil, L. leucocephala produced higher amounts of DM per plant than B. divaricata and P. piscipula. L. leucocephala and P. piscipula had better overall yield in the CMlep. B. divaricata did not perform differently in the three studied soils but had greater yield, better cut response and a higher number of plants than L. leucocephala and P. piscipula. These three species are potentially useful as forage producers during the dry season and their yields could be improved by considering regional pedodiversity.