BIOMASS IN MONOSPECIFIC AND MIXED STANDS OF EUCALYPTUS AND BLACK WATTLE AND CORN IN AN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

Abstract

This study aimed at quantifying the production and distribution of aboveground biomass from the plants in monospecific and mixed stands of eucalyptus (hybrid E. urophylla x E. grandis) and black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and, of corn (Zea mays) in agrosilvicultural systems. The biomass evaluation (leaf, branch, bark and wood) from the forest species at 6 and 18 months of age were performed at the treatments: 100E (100% of eucalyptus + corn); - 100A (100% of black wattle + corn); - 50E:50A (50% of eucalyptus + 50% of black wattle + corn). The corn biomass evaluation (stem, leaves, straw, cob and grains) was performed at treatments 100E; 100A; 50E:50A; 75E:25A (75% of eucalyptus + 25% of black wattle + corn); and - 25E:75A (25% of eucalyptus + 75% of black wattle + corn). The biomass production from eucalyptus and from the black wattle, in both monospecific and mixed planting, did not differ in any of the assessed ages but, when evaluated by plants compartments, it was verified an interspecific competitive interaction from the eucalyptus on the black wattle, reducing the formation of crown biomass. The total production of corn biomass in agrosilvicutural systems with eucalyptus and with black wattle in monospecific or mixed plantings did not differ in the studied treatments.