EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS OF Jatropha curcas L. ON FOOD CROPS

The objective of this study was to assess, during three years, the spatial arrangement that will enhance the morpho-productive development of Jatropha curcas L. in association systems with staple crops. It was hypothesized that the association of crops is a factor that determines the behavior of the species and the development of agroenergetic farms, considering rainy and low rainfall periods. A quasi-experimental design was used, and four treatments were tested: 1) J. curcas (Jc) in monoculture; 2) 50 % of the area with Jc and 50 % planted with food crops in rotation (CA); 3) Jc intercropped with CA; and 4) area planted with CA. A principal component statistical analysis was performed with the variables fruit yield and associated crop yield using 95 % confidence intervals from a Student’s t-test. The number of bunches and total fruit and seeds harvested from Jc were shown to be the most important and had a positive correlation for the first component in each period. As for fruit yield, the highest values were achieved in monoculture. Although high yields were not attained in CA, the relationship is regarded favorable since the use of polycultures is viable, fundamentally in the arrangement of 50 % Jc + 50 % CA, being positive the biological efficiency given by the diversification and the best equivalent land use.