BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT CONTENT OF THE BEAN (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) IN REFORESTATION IN PARÁ STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate biomass production and nutrient content of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformes (L.) DC.)  as a green manure intercropped with paricá (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) Barneby). The experiment was carried out in an experimental area at the Vigia municipality (Pará state, Brazil). The jack bean was sown between rows of planted paricá spaced 4mx4m. The plants were evaluated to shoot biomass production, nutrient contents in leaves of jack bean. Shoot fresh and dry biomass production of the evaluated specie were 25.4 t.ha-1 e 4.8 t.ha-1, respectively.The average concentrations of nutrients were 44.26 g.Kg-1 (N); 3.01 g.Kg-1 (P); 16.3 g.Kg-1 (K); 9.88 g.Kg-1 (Ca);  3.11 g.Kg-1 (Mg), 28 mg.Kg-1 (Cu);  61 mg.Kg-1 (Mn); 175 mg.Kg-1 (Fe) and 41 mg.Kg-1 (Zn). The results of biomass productions and above-ground nutrients of jack bean show that this species has potential for use as green manure in agroforestry systems and reforestations areas.   KEY-WORDS: cover legumes, mulch, nutrients.