Resumen de PF 17 Dry matter production and growth caracteristics of Centrosema pubescens in a tropical dry forest of Venezuela

Jesus Faria-Marmol, Zuleima Chirinos, Ignacio González

• An experiment was performed to evaluate 25 accessions of C. pubescens. 2 of C. acutifolium, and a 1 accessions of C.brasilianum for adaptation, dry matter production, growth and pest tolerance in a dry tropical forest in Zulia states, Venezuela. The accessions were planted in a randomized completed block design, with 3 replications. Evaluations were made every 12 weeks during two years in both rainy and dry seasons C. pubescens CIAT 15160 had the total highest (P < .01) accumulated dry matter production at 12.9 t/ha followed by C. pubescens CIAT 5169, 5627, 15133, 438, 5167 and 5189 with 12.6, 11.4, 11.3, 10.5, 10.0, and 9.9, respectively. The least productive accessions were C. brasilianum CIAT 5234 with 4.5 tn/ha and C. acutifolium CIAT 5568 with 5.7. Average plant height of Centrosema sp was smaller (22.4 cm) than horizontal growth (88.3 cm) with a mean of 8.5 stolons/m2 . C. acutifolium 5277 and 5568 were the most susceptible accessions to attached by insect pest.