Potencialidades de Parkinsonia aculeata para uso em sistemas agroflorestais no Semiárido Paraibano.

Abstract

Use potential of Parkinsonia aculeata in agroforestry systems in the semiarrid region of Paraíba. The Caatinga Biome, located in the semiarid tropical region of northeast Brazil, is considered to be one of the most susceptible natural area to environmental degradation due to climatic and soil adversities, adoption of inadequate extractive model of its natural resources, and insufficiency of environmental preservation areas. Exotic plants were introduced and some of them are now seen composing plant communities widespread in this biome with no previous assessment of their potential of production, methods of control and risks they may eventually represent on local ecosystems in order to assure their safe exploration, particularly in agroforestry systems. This study had the objective to collect literature data on forage potential of Parkinsonia aculeata, as well as laboratorial data regarding density of its wood to help decide about the convenience of its insertion in Agroforestry Systems in the semiarid region of northeast Brazil. This species can produce annually approximately 300 kg/ha (in a dry matter basis) of protein rich (17% of crude protein) fodder suitable to feed ruminants. Mean density value of its wood (869 kg/m3

) is higher than the observed in the wood of other exotic, such as Eucalyptus grandis (556 kg/m), and some native species, such as Croton sonderianus (683 kg/m3) and Aspidosperma pyrifolium (813 kg/m3), but is lower than the observed in Mimosa tenuiflora wood (929 kg/m3). Additional studies, such as on silvicultural practices and assessment of its environmental impacts in sites where it is cultivated, are necessary before recommending its use in agroforestry systems in the Caatinga Biome.