Avaliação da aplicabilidade de algumas espécies vegetais nativas na fixação do solo

Abstract

This work aims to describe the different aspects of the root structure of six native plant species and their dynamics in growth in diameter, height and their rooting potential in order to be used in fixing the soil, to reduce the runoff of water and fight erosion. To this end, an experiment was installed in the nursery of the Municipal Council of the City of Maputo, in the Costa do Sol area, which is severely affected by Laminar-type erosion, caused by concentration and runoff from the waters. A trial was set up in December 2007 to January 2008, which consisted of six treatments. Each treatment corresponded to each of the six plant species, namely Annona senegalensis, Albizia versicolor, Mimusops caffra, Sclerocaria birrea, Syzygium cordatum and Trichilia emetica. The choice of species for testing was based on the observation of the florist composition of the remaining forests in the region using the attributes: rapid growth in (neck diameter, height and rooting), availability of seeds, trees or shrub, multiple uses of the species. A completely randomized block design was used, which comprised six blocks, six treatments and two repetitions in plots of 24 m2, each plot having 32 plants using a 1 X 1 m spacing. For each species, 40 seeds were sown, totaling 240 plants, of which 192 plants were grown in pots. To estimate the growth of the plants, a ruler graduated in centimeters and a caliper was used to analyze the growth of the diameter. Using a simple excavation of the plants in trenches, the extent of the root structure, length and total mass production of the thin roots at a depth of 30 cm were measured. The values ​​of plant height, diameter and mass of root structures were subjected to analysis of variance to test whether the treatments differed. Combining all attributes, the species Albizia versicolor, Trichilia emética and Syzygium cordatum stood out offering more potential for use in landslide reduction actions. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)