Reserve paddock as an agroforestry technique in the arid lands of Mendoza, Argentina

E. MARTINEZ CARRETERO; DALMASSO, A.

MULTEQUINA

INCA

Año: 2014 vol. 23 p. 1 - 12

0327-9375

In the arid lands in the northeast of Mendoza province (Argentina) the only possible subsistence economy is extensive livestock breeding. Mean plant cover in the area is 45%. Natural vegetation is dominated by open forests of Prosopis flexuosa DC associated with a shrub layer of Atriplex lampa Gill. ex Moq. The present carrying capacity ranges between 7.5 and 2.12 ha per animal unit, at sites in poor and good conditions respectively. The only alternative agroforestry technique in this region is selecting areas as reserve paddocks and enriching them with native fodder species. A total yield of 489.5 kgDM/ha/year could be reached in these areas by combining plant species such as A. lampa, Tricomaria usillo Gill. ex H. et A., Lycium chilense Miers ex Bert., and Prosopidastrum globosum (Gill. ex Hook. et Arn.) Burk. with P. flexuosa. Such association would allow for a carrying capacity of 0.8 ha per animal unit. Reserve paddocks ensure a richin- protein forage supply in critical periods (November-January). Their management involves two-hour grazing a day, alternating natural range with the reserve paddock. Reserve paddocks allow increased offer of marketable kids from the same herd of mother goats, since the latter obtain better nourishment without exerting additional grazing pressure.