*5.2.7. Soil coverage and age of plants*

The best percentages of soil coverage by *A*. *pintoi* occurred at 24 weeks, highlighting the rainy season planting date. Table 16 shows the analysis of variance and regression coeffi‐ cients between soil coverag and age of plants on each season.

A study in this same experimental field [48], reports that when *A*. *pintoi* was planted by seed coverage was achieved over 90% at 12 weeks of age. In Puerto Rico, accessions CIAT: 18744, 18747 and 18748 evaluated in an Oxisol had a high rate of spread at 16 weeks with 90% ground cover and low incidence of weeds [49]. This coverage is lower than that obtained in Colombia, were researchers established *Arachis pintoi* by vegetative associated with *B*. *dictyo‐*

Soil Management for the Establishment of the Forage Legume Arachis pintoi as a Mean to Improve Soil Fertility...

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/53318

75

During the experiment, the climate in CEIEGT, was very variable. This is because the region is in a climatic transition zone between the regions: coastal (subhumid) on the east, and Sier‐ ra Madre Oriental (wet), to the west, which creates a very unstable microclimate between and within years. Evidence of this was the precipitation that was 40% above the annual average and in the dry season, rainfall was 60% higher than that in the last 10 years. So, this season should be considered "atypical" and therefore the results may not be reliable. Unlike

Based on the information presented, we conclude that: (1) establishing methods involving a conventional land preparation proved to be the best, both for number of plants to cover. (2) Although were not evaluated seasons, the best results were achieved in the r.ainy season (3) No effect was observed for either fertilization treatments. (4) whereas in the dry season rain‐ fall was well above average, the results obtained at this time, must be taken with caution. (5) is suggested to evaluate Arachis pintoi in locations with different climate and soil, in addi‐ tion to testing planting seasons. (6) must also consider the possibility of evaluating new

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Centro de Enseñanza, Investigación y Extensión en Ganadería Tropical (CEIEGT), México

[1] Silva JE, Resck D.V.S., J. Corazza E., Vivaldi L. Carbon storage in clayey Oxisol culti‐ vated pastures in the "Cerrado" region, Brazil. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environ‐

, Epigmenio Castillo-Gallegos, Jesús Jarillo-Rodríguez and

*neura*, and 20 weeks of age achieved a coverage of 40 to 45% [50].

methods of establishment, both plant material, as with sexual seed.

\*Address all correspondence to: braulio\_36@yahoo.com.mx

precipitation, the temperature is somewhat variable.

**5.4. Conclusions**

**Author details**

**References**

Braulio Valles-de la Mora\*

ment 2004;103(2): 357–363.

Eliazar Ocaña-Zavaleta


**Table 16.** Analysis of variance and regression coefficient for soil coverage by planting season of *Arachis pintoi*. Veracruz, Mexico.

#### **5.3. Discussion**

Although the two ways to establish *Arachis pintoi* tested here are not the only ones, the re‐ sults with conventional tillage are attractive, in the frequencies tested. In this regard, the method [46], using a planting implement, designed for them, allowed that two months after planting shown good development. Here, at 24 weeks, the ground cover in all treatments was above 80%, while the total coverage (100%) in treatments with conventional tillage was achieved approximately eight months post-planting.

Should be noted that the availability of plant material is an advantage in the evaluation of the species, as well as attempts to disseminate the same among low-income producers, be‐ cause of the ease of material handling.

The null effect of fertilization on the establishment of *Arachis pintoi* found here, was also ob‐ served in Colombia [47], who applied seed and fertilizer pellets to a degraded pasture of *Brachiaria*. The fertilizers were the same as those applied here, except Zn, Cu and B, al‐ though in much smaller quantities. This lack of effect could be explained based on the rela‐ tively short period of observation (12 and 24 weeks for number of plants and coverage, respectively) per day, such as to indicate their presence nutrients to the crop, especially in the case of P, which is referred to their low mobility in soil.

A study in this same experimental field [48], reports that when *A*. *pintoi* was planted by seed coverage was achieved over 90% at 12 weeks of age. In Puerto Rico, accessions CIAT: 18744, 18747 and 18748 evaluated in an Oxisol had a high rate of spread at 16 weeks with 90% ground cover and low incidence of weeds [49]. This coverage is lower than that obtained in Colombia, were researchers established *Arachis pintoi* by vegetative associated with *B*. *dictyo‐ neura*, and 20 weeks of age achieved a coverage of 40 to 45% [50].

During the experiment, the climate in CEIEGT, was very variable. This is because the region is in a climatic transition zone between the regions: coastal (subhumid) on the east, and Sier‐ ra Madre Oriental (wet), to the west, which creates a very unstable microclimate between and within years. Evidence of this was the precipitation that was 40% above the annual average and in the dry season, rainfall was 60% higher than that in the last 10 years. So, this season should be considered "atypical" and therefore the results may not be reliable. Unlike precipitation, the temperature is somewhat variable.

## **5.4. Conclusions**

*5.2.7. Soil coverage and age of plants*

**Source of variation df**

74 Soil Fertility

Error 184

Veracruz, Mexico.

**5.3. Discussion**

cients between soil coverag and age of plants on each season.

achieved approximately eight months post-planting.

the case of P, which is referred to their low mobility in soil.

cause of the ease of material handling.

The best percentages of soil coverage by *A*. *pintoi* occurred at 24 weeks, highlighting the rainy season planting date. Table 16 shows the analysis of variance and regression coeffi‐

Treatments (T) 3 986.39 0.0001 4933.92 0.0001 696.84 0.0001 Weeks (lineal) 1 102416.09 0.0001 93319.28 0.0001 193155.43 0.0001 T x W (lineal) 3 1300.38 0.0001 2932.31 0.0001 958.32 0.0001

Coefficients Winter season Dry season Rainy season T1 Y=2.42(exp.0.1396x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1095x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1068x) T2 Y=2.42(exp.0.1405x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1140x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1064x) T3 Y=2.42(exp.0.1155x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1095x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1305x) T4 Y=2.42(exp. 0.1133x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1326x) Y=2.42(exp.0.1472x)

**Table 16.** Analysis of variance and regression coefficient for soil coverage by planting season of *Arachis pintoi*.

Although the two ways to establish *Arachis pintoi* tested here are not the only ones, the re‐ sults with conventional tillage are attractive, in the frequencies tested. In this regard, the method [46], using a planting implement, designed for them, allowed that two months after planting shown good development. Here, at 24 weeks, the ground cover in all treatments was above 80%, while the total coverage (100%) in treatments with conventional tillage was

Should be noted that the availability of plant material is an advantage in the evaluation of the species, as well as attempts to disseminate the same among low-income producers, be‐

The null effect of fertilization on the establishment of *Arachis pintoi* found here, was also ob‐ served in Colombia [47], who applied seed and fertilizer pellets to a degraded pasture of *Brachiaria*. The fertilizers were the same as those applied here, except Zn, Cu and B, al‐ though in much smaller quantities. This lack of effect could be explained based on the rela‐ tively short period of observation (12 and 24 weeks for number of plants and coverage, respectively) per day, such as to indicate their presence nutrients to the crop, especially in

**Winter Dry Rainy MS P>F MS P>F MS P>F**

> Based on the information presented, we conclude that: (1) establishing methods involving a conventional land preparation proved to be the best, both for number of plants to cover. (2) Although were not evaluated seasons, the best results were achieved in the r.ainy season (3) No effect was observed for either fertilization treatments. (4) whereas in the dry season rain‐ fall was well above average, the results obtained at this time, must be taken with caution. (5) is suggested to evaluate Arachis pintoi in locations with different climate and soil, in addi‐ tion to testing planting seasons. (6) must also consider the possibility of evaluating new methods of establishment, both plant material, as with sexual seed.
