Growth rate, leaf:stem ratio and height in crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.) planted at different densities

Maldonado-Peralta, María de los Á ^[1] ; Rojas-García, Adelaido R. ^[1] ; Ríos-Hilario, Josué J. ^[1] ; Hernández-Guzmán, Filogonio J ^[3] ; Cruz-Hernández, Aldenamar ^[2] ; Ortega-Acosta, Santo Á ^[1]
1. [1] Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero
  
  Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero
  
  México
2. [2] Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
  
  Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
  
  México
3. [3] Universidad Politécnica de Francisco I. Madero, Ingeniería en Producción Animal (
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Localización: Agro Productividad, ISSN-e 2594-0252, Vol. 15, Nº. 7, 2022 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Julio), págs. 95-101
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- Objective: To evaluate growth rate, leaf:stem ratio, and height of crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.) plants sown at different densities, in the dry tropics of the state of Guerrero, Mexico.
  
  Design/Methodology/Approach: The treatments consisted of four planting densities: 400,000, 200,000, 100,000 plants ha1, and overseed. A growth analysis was also carried out at 30, 38, 45, 52, 60, 68, and 75 days of growth, when the pod was fully developed. The variables evaluated were: growth rate, leaf:stem ratio, plant height, and their correlation.
  
  Results: The best growth rate (577 kg DM ha1 d1) was obtained at a 400,000 plants ha1 planting density, at 75 days of development. Likewise, the best plant height rate was obtained with this planting density (281 cm). Meanwhile, the leaf:stem ratio had a different behavior, obtaining its highest rate at 30 days. Regardless of the age of the plant, the following descending order was recorded: 100,000 overseed 200,000 400,000 plants ha1, with 0.65, 0.60, 0.59, and 0.55 (p0.05), respectively.
  
  Study Limitations/Implications: This is a very important study for future researches, because the crotalaria variables studied in this research have never been evaluated before and they are fundamental for forage production.
  
  Findings/Conclusions: The recommended planting density is 400,000 plants ha1. Acceptable leaf:stem ratio and growth rate were reported at 45 days of development; the plant height reached 186 cm.