EFEITO DA ÉPOCA DO CORTE NA BIOMASSA DE Moringa oleífera Lam EM SISTEMA AGROFLORESTAL

Abstract

Agricultural techniques such as the deposition of plant biomass on the soils, green manure and cultivation in agroforestry are essential for the preservation and restoration of soil fertility and microorganisms. In this context, this study aimed to determine the best pruning time and height of the aerial part of Moringa oleífera Lam for biomass production in an area of agroforestry system. To this end, the individuals were subjected to different pruning intensities (0.5 m; 1.0 m; 1.5 m) in three seasons, with intervals of approximately 90 days. The variables analyzed were total height, stem circumference and breast height (1.30 m) and soil height, fresh and dry biomass weight. In addition to the physical-chemical analysis of soil and water. The results indicated that pruning at 0.50 m favored the increase of biomass and circumferences, showing that the management of the species possibly influences the development and production of biomass of Moringa oleífera Lam. As for the analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of the soil revealed that the management of pruning possibly contributed to the increase of organic matter and cation exchange capacity, fundamental aspects for soil health and fertility. And the results for the physical-chemical quality of the water remained within the appropriate standards for agriculture. Concluding that a pruning height of 0.50 m in the initial cultivation periods of Moringa oleifera Lam proves to be more effective in producing biomass in agroforestry systems, which can favor the accumulation of organic matter and an increase in soil fertility throughout the time in agroforestry systems.