Effect of inter-row spacing on the production of tagasaste and associated pastures

Abstract

Tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus (L. fil.) Link ssp. palmensis) was planted at 4 densities (2500, 5000, 10000, 20000 plants/ha with row spacings of 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 m). Plants were 1 m apart within rows for all densities, The tagasaste was harvested at about 6-monthly intervals in February and August over a 5-year period at a height of 0.5 m. Pasture growing between the rows was harvested at the same time to about 50 mm height. Growth per tree was reduced by increasing density, especially as the trees matured, but even after 4 years, yield per ha was more than 200% greater at the lowest density. Although there was an adverse effect of tagasaste density on pasture harvested (up to 32%), the total dry matter harvested in the final year was still 40% greater at the highest density of tagasaste.