DIAMETER AND HEIGHT GROWTH OF A MIXED PLANTATION WITH TROPICAL SPECIES IN VERACRUZ STATE

Abstract

The study here described was carried out in El Palmar Experimental Station, in Veracruz State, with the aim of assessing growth in height (H) and diameter (DBH) of a plantation with four associated species (Cedrela odorata–Cordia alliodora and Tectona grandis-Swietenia macrophylla). In the first group, four experimental treatments were included: T1) Without fertilization and local provenance; T2) Without fertilization and foreign provenance; T3) With fertilization and local provenance; T4) With fertilization and foreign provenance. For the second group one single treatment was considered, T1) Without fertilization and local provenance in four lots located in the limits of the plantation. The analysis of variance was applied to each association with a split lot arrangement under a repeated measurements model. Differences in H and DBH were highly significant (p<0.0001) in both groups. T1 proved to be the best. Tectona grandis had the greatest average growth (DBH = 10.9 cm, H = 9.83 m) and the highest growth rate (H= 1.96 m year -1, DBH = 2.3 cm year-1) while Cordia alliodora had the lowest average growth (DBH = 5.7 cm, H = 4.89 m) and the lowest growth rate (H = 0.97 m year-1, DBH = 1.3 cm year-1). It was concluded that to know the germ plasm source for plantations is more important that fertilization.