Planting of fast-growing trees for recovery of agricultural areas in the Eastern of Brazilian Amazon: studying case of maize and cassava prdution

Abstract

The objective of the present paper was to evaluate the survival of planted leguminous trees to restore degraded areas and yields of maize and cassava in traditional farming system. The trees species Acacia angustissima, Clitoria racemosa, Inga edulis, and Acacia mangium were planted at spacing of 1 m x 1 m, 2 m x 1 m and 2 m x 2 m. Sclerolobium paniculatum was planted only at spacing of 2 m x 1 m. The maize, remained in the cropping system during the first four months, and it was considered as monocropping phase and, yielded 1,890 +/- 32 kg ha-1. The survival of planted trees was not negatively impacted by the presence of agricultural crops. Regardless of the spacing, the planted trees did not cause a negative impact on dry weight of cassava root. There was a tendency to increase dry weight of root of cassava as the number of planted trees per hectare decreased. These results show the possibility to maintain crop productivity in enriched fallow vegetation systems. However, tree planting at the spacing of 1 m x 1 m should be carefully considered when food is required.