Survival of duraznillo (Prunus annula ris) in forest plantation and agroforestry sys tems

Abstract

Initial survival rate of duraznillo (Prunus annularis) (30 months after planting) under a forest plantation and an agroforestry system in Costa Rica was recorded. Five treatments with 722 initial trees ha-1 were studied. Two of the treatments consisted in forest plantation, one with hand-weeding every 2 months (PF-2) and another at 4-months intervals (PF-4). Treatments 3, 4 and 5 involved agroforestry systems of duraznillo naranjilla (Solanum quitoense), duraznillo-mint (Satureja viminea) and duraznillo-maize (Zea mays), respectively. Survival rate at 30 months after planting ranged between 56 y 81%, with the lowest for the forest plantation (PF-4). Survival rate of duraznillo observed during this experimental period is considered intermediate in comparison to other tree species in this life zone.