SPACE-TIME DEPENDENCE OF JATROPHA GROWTH PARAMETERS GROWN IN BRAZILIAN SEMIARID

Authors

  • André Quintão de Almeida Department of Agricultural Enginering, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE.
  • Rodolfo Marcondes Silva Souza Department of Nuclear Energy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE.
  • Sérvulo Mercier Siqueira e Silva Station Experimetal of Arcoverde, Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Arcoverde, PE.
  • Ivan Souto de Oliveira Junior Station Experimetal of Caruaru, Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Caruaru, PE.
  • Farnesio de Sousa Cavalcante Station Experimetal of Caruaru, Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Caruaru, PE.
  • José Alison da Silva Melo Department of Agronomy, Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada/Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252016v29n212rc

Keywords:

Geoestatística. Krigagem. Jatropha curcas L. Bioenergia.

Abstract

Jatropha has emerged as a source of power generation in the semiarid region of Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate, using geostatistics, the spatial variability of stem diameter, plant height and seed weight of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) grown under rain fed conditions in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco state, Brazil. At 545, 905 and 1265 days after sowing (DAS), the stem diameter and plant height of 340 plants were measured with a digital caliper and a tape measure. At 545 DAS, the fruits of 306 plants were collected, the seeds extracted and their weights measured with a precision balance. For each date analyzed, the spatial dependence of the plant characteristics was evaluated from the adjustment of the experimental semivariogram. The spherical model was adjusted for modeling the spatial distribution of cultural parameters. The range of plant height reduced by an average of 37% from 545 DAS when compared to 905 and 1265 DAS, while for the stem diameter this parameter remained practically constant. Geostatistics can be employed to assist in future sampling and to identify areas with different patterns that can occur in the jatropha planting.

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Published

03-05-2016

Issue

Section

Agronomy