Association of Persian lemon fruit trees (Citrus latifolia) and coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) with the contribution of dry matter by annual crops

Abstract

The association of Persa lemon and coconut with annual crops contributes to the improvement of soil characteristics mainly in organic matter content by incorporating crop residues with an integrated management. The objective is to implement a system of corn and bean crops interspersed with Persa lemon and coconut palm fruit trees. The work was established in October 2017, in Hatillo, municipality of Antigua, Veracruz, with fruit trees of Persa lemon and coconut palm, in vines with the addition of organic fertilizers. Before the establishment was fertilized with 18 t. ha^-1 of dry matter from sugar cane and then established the crops of Michigan bean, black Veracruz and H-520 corn, these crops were managed at different planting dates during the period 2018 and 2019. They were measured in fruit trees, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and branches, contribution of dry matter to the soil and soil analysis were performed on Persa lemon trees, coconut palm and annual crops. The results for Persa lemon show significant differences at 386 days, with respect to stem diameter, plant height, number of branches. With respect to the coconut palm, the diameter of stem presented significant differences from the 190 days, in the height of the palm the values were different to the 386 days. In the contribution of dry matter the black bean Veracruz, contributed greater amount to the soil with 8426 t/ha; the hybrid corn H-520 contributed greater amount of dry matter in the date of February 23, 2018 with 11333 t/ha. When analyzing the organic matter of the soil, a higher percentage was found in the intercropping system, surpassing the monoculture of sugar cane. The association of species allows to improve the agro ecological conditions in the management of the crops.