Comparação de métodos de limpeza na formação de Eucalyptus alba (Blume) Reinw., E. saligna Sm. e E. botryoides Sm

Resumo

A study to measure the effect of five weeding procedures on performance of Eucalyptus seedlings of three species (E. alba, E. saligna and E. botryoides) was conducted over a 27 month period in Viçosa, Minas Gerais. The land used was a latossol type with 25 percent slope and covered by Imperata brasiliensis aad Melinis minutiflora the predominate vegetation. Weedings were performed five times at wich time the terminal growth and labor-cost measurements were also made.

Results indicated a higher survival rate in weeded methods than in unweeded controls. Although ‘“capina" (complete devegetation slightly below ground level) resulted in the greatest terminal growth rates, these rates were not significantly different from growth rates of "capina + rogado” (capina used three times followed by two rogado, a cutting of vegetation at the ground level). "Coroamento" (capina applied with a radive of 40 cm from each seedling) resulted in significantly less terminal growth than the other procedures.

This paper enphasizes the need to look at the effects of weeding procedures over longer periods.