Effect of frequency and height of cutting on growth parameters of Acacia saligna in Egypt

Abstract

To revegetate acacia trees in saline desert sandy soils, field experiments were conducted to study the effect of cutting frequency and height on Acacia saligna productivity during 2014, 2015 and 2016. The tallest plants, thickest stems and highest values for chlorophyll content, fresh and dry foliage yield per plant, fresh and dry foliage yield per hectare, percentages of crude fibre, ether extract and ash, and yields per hectare of protein, fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen-free extract were obtained with a cutting interval of 26 months. The highest crude protein and nitrogen-free extract percentages were produced from cutting at 17 months. Cutting at zero height (above the soil surface) increased plant height, stem thickness, green and dry foliage yield per plant, green and dry foliage yield per hectare, water use efficiency and nitrogen-free extract yield per hectare. The highest values for chlorophyll content, percentages of crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and ash, and yields per hectare of protein, fibre, ether extract and ash were produced with cutting at 30 cm height. The highest nitrogen-free extract percentage was obtained with cutting at 60 cm height. Thus, pruning A. saligna after 26 months and cutting at 30 cm height increased the foliage yield and its quality.

Keywords: Acacia saligna, cutting frequency, cutting height, water use efficiency