MACHADO NETO, G. J.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9694265491019191; MACHADO NETO, Geovani José.
Abstract:
The forage palm is an important forage resource as it is a species adapted to the climatic
conditions of the Brazilian semiarid region. The research had as objective to evaluate the
performance of forage palm species cultivated in the cultivation system on the soil
comparing it to the conventional system in rainy season, to estimate the costs of
implantation of the cultivation system on the soil, among others. The experiment was
conducted in Jaçanã, Rio Grande do Norte. It was carried out in an experimental area from
February 8, 2020 to February 8, 2021. For the soil cultivation system, the matrix cladodes
were distributed directly under the soil, horizontally arranged according to the defined
spacing. For the conventional cultivation system, pits were opened and about 50% of the
cladodes were immersed. The variables investigated were racket decay in no-tillage,
occurrence of rooting and fixation of the cladode to the soil, number of cladodes per
treatment, sprouting emission and the estimated cost of implantation. Data collections took
place monthly. In the first quarter there was no significant difference for the number of
cladodes and in the last month of this quarter the Mexican species obtained an average of
2.35 and 3.28 of the number of cladodes. In the fourth quarter, it followed the results of
previous quarters in which there was no statistical difference between the cultivation
systems, as well as between the species. It is concluded that the system of cultivation on the
soil in the rainy season had a similar performance in comparison to the conventional system
of forage palms, indicating that this is a system that, with the progress of the research, can
become an innovative technology and recommended to rural producers. The cost of
implementing the cultivation system on the soil is economically viable and more economical
for the producer compared to the conventional cultivation system.