Development of Swietenia macrophylla king in escape areas

Abstract

Swietenia macrophylla King cultivation is made difficult by the shoot borer action. Thus, the objectives of this research were to evaluate the development of the species in a homogeneous plantation in south western Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and to evaluate if the region could act as an escape area from the action of Hypsipyla grandella Zeller. 150 S. macrophylla seedlings were planted in 3.0 m x 3.0 m row spacing, distributed into four 21 trees blocks, in addition to the border. Five months after planting, the survival and diameter at ground level were measured. Periodically, until 152 months of age, density, diameter at breast height, total height and commercial height were measured, and the average cross-sectional area and basal area were determined. In addition, each tree was rated by stem shape and health. At 152 months, with 53.6% survival, the average rates and coefficient of variation were 20.6 cm (4.7%), 16.3 m (4.3%), 5.5 m (6.4%), 0.0346 m2 tree-1 (9.3%) and 20.5295 m2 ha-1, respectively, and over 50% of the trees had a straight stem with or without branches. Mortality was due to abiotic causes, and no crop health problems were recorded. The region shows potential for S. macrophyla growth and may be considered as an escape area from the Hypsipyla grandella Zeller borer.