Abstract

POSADA MONTOYA, Juan Sebastián; ARMBRECHT, Inge  and  GALINDO, Víctor. Use of mulching for the restauration of dry forests in Valle of CaucaUso de acolchados (mulching) en la restauración de bosques secos en el Valle del Cauca. rev. cienc. [online]. 2015, vol.19, n.2, pp.43-57. ISSN 0121-1935.

Dry tropical forest is one of the most severely threatened ecosystems. Despite that, efforts for its restauration are insuf cient. As it happens with other tropical forests, exotic grasses constitute a common barrier for natural regeneration. Mulching is a technique used to control weeds to avoid competition with native trees during the restauration process. The effect of two types of mulching (straw and cardboard) on growth and survival of four species of native plants (Pithecellobium dulce, Achatocarpus nigricans, Cestrum cf. nocturnum and Croton gossypiifolius) was studied. Additionally, the effect of mulching on weeds and on soil was also studied for six months. It was found that diameter growth was higher when straw mulching was used for treatment. This treatment also fostered greater retention of humidity on the soil during periods of less rain precipitation for both mulching treatments. There was a lower growth of weeds recorded as well as the appearance of commelinaceas plants. It was concluded that mulching is a viable option for the control of exotic grasses on the restauration areas. The reduction in the variation of soil moisture could promote growth of native plants in a long run

Keywords : Achatocarpus nigricans; Croton gossypiifolius; Cestrum nocturnum; Pithecellobium dulce; exotic grass control; soil moisture and temperature; restoration of tropical forests.

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