Abstract

ATANASIO, M. A. Influence of pruning on growth of Prosopis alba Griseb. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.2, pp.66-78. ISSN 1851-3026.

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of pruning intensity on the growth of and the emergence of epicormic sprouts in Prosopis alba Griseb. The experiment was performed in an implanted forest located in President Roque Sáenz Peña, Chaco. A randomized block design was used with five replications in four treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) of pruning intensities (0%, 30%, 50% and 70%) expressing respectively the total tree height percentage. Pruning was done when the plantation was 3 and 6 years old. A significant influence of pruning upon diameter, total height, basal area and the number of epicornic sprouts was found before the plantation was 9 years old, being the normal diameter the most affected variable. At the age of 9 the effect of pruning intensity as to the control (0% pruning) became evident in a diameter and basal area decrease of: 2.9% and 6% in T2, i.e. 30% of pruning intensity; 16.9% and 30.7% in T3, i.e. 50% of pruning intensity; 30.4% and 51.7% in T4, i.e. 70% of pruning intensity. In analyzing annual DBH growth, T2 did not show significant differences as to the control. The post-pruning number of epicormic sprouts was very important in the individuals under the most intense treatment (T4) where none sprout-free tree was found. In general, epicormic sprouts emergence diminished after the second pruning. Likewise in many other species intense pruning affects growth, especially diameter growth and distinctively in this species, stimulates epicormic sprouts emergence as well. However, low intensity pruning operations would be justified by the resulting increased lumber quality. Systematic pruning operations lower than 30% of the total height that might be combined with correcting pruning operations is recommended.

Keywords : Prosopis alba; Pruning intensity; Growth; Epicormic sprouts.

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