ASSESSMENT OF TWO AGROFORESTRY MODULES WITH “ALLEY CROPPING” IN THE PUREPECHA SIERRA OF MICHOACAN

Abstract

In Michoacan, a million hectares are devoted to low productivity crops which, besides, degrade the soil and have a low profitability. Two million hectares are estimated to be likely to recover through reforestation and commercial plantations. The purpose of this paper was to assess the agricultural and forestry components in two modules established as alley cropping: one in the indigenous community of San Lorenzo, Uruapan (1996) and one in Cheranástico, Paracho (1999). The former did not show significant differences between spacings 1 years after its implementation, according to the assessed dasometric parameters (total height, normal diameter, volume, survival, health and vigor). In 1999 oats had a yield of 6.5 t ha-1 of green weight, and during the 2000 cycle, of 2.8 t ha-1; this can be attributed to the growth of branches that reduced the adequate area for this crop’s development, due to the shade effect. The latter module showed significant variations as to the normal diameter with a spacing of 2.5 x 4.0 m after eight years of established; this configuration allows a larger diametric growth of P. greggii. We conclude that the optimal spacing for the establishment of agroforestry plantations in the Purepecha Sierra is 2.5 x 4.0 m, and by using it in alley croppings, it is possible to obtain a combined yield.