Resumen de PF 19. Dry matter production and growht caracteristic of Centrosema pubescens in a semiarid region of Venezuela

Ignacio González, Zuleima Chirinos, Jesus Faria-Marmol

• A trial was conducted to evaluate 25 accessions of C. pubescens, 2 of C. acutifolium and 1 accessions of C. brasilianum for adaptation, dry matter production, growth and pest tolerance in a semiarid region in Zulia estate, Venezuela. The accessions were planted in a randomized completed block design, with 3 replications. Accumulated dry matter production through 8 cutting every 90 days was higher (P = .01) for C. pubescens CIAT 15150 with 13.5 tn/ha followed by C. acutifolium CIAT 5568 with 10.4, and by C. pubescens CIAT 15144 with 10.32 and CIAT 15160 with 10.24. The least productive accessions were C. acutifolium CIAT 5297 (3.04 tn/ha), C. pubescens CIAT 5006 (3.76tn/ha) and CIAT 5189 (4.96 tn/ha). Average plant height of Centrosema spp was smaller (20.3 cm) to horizontal growth (78 cm) with a means of 6 stolons/m2 . The accessions were not attached by pest.