Innovation in Patagonia: A new Alamo clone is born for the forest curtain

2024-08-19 -

This is the Alamo Ragonese 22 INTA, an alternative that stands out for the resistance to the environmental conditions of the region with a very good growth and health rate.

In the valleys of the northern Patagonia, forest curtains are used with orientation perpendicular to the predominant winds (from the west and southwest) to reduce its speed and attenuate the harmful effects on agricultural crops and the quality of their production. With the objective of expanding and improving the availability of poplars and willows adapted to Norpatagonia, INTA professionals evaluated new clones of these forest species at the Ahropecuaria Experimental Station Alto Valle.At the implantation of forest curtains can be used. adapted to the regional climate. The most used for decades are Creole poplar (Populus nigra Italica) and Chilean poplar (Populus nigra Chile), with a columnar of suitable column for the formation of the breaking curtains. He explained that from essays carried out in that unit, it was determined that some new clones of poplars and willows have better growth and health rates compared to those used during the last decades. According to what was expressed by Darío Fernández, professional of INTA Alto Valle, the experience to evaluate the behavior of the Álamos Ragonese 22 INTA and TRIPLO A single row curtain (simple curtain) was established on the south side of the edge of the ditch with the trees distanced at 2 meters inside the row. The plantation was carried out in August 2021 with rods of approximately 2.5 meters in length, implanting them at 70-80 centimeters deep, ?said Fernández, adding:? Hydraulic barreta was used to achieve a better anchor, avoiding possible overturns by the wind and improving the absorption of water from the soil. ?In addition, he specified that Ragoneses 22nt rogone Growth evaluations of the trunk diameter (DAP: diameter at 1.30 meters high) of both alamus clones and the height of the curtain. According to the measurements made, Valeria Ponce, of INTA Alto Valle, indicated that the average DAP In 2023 it was 11.2 centimeters for Ragonese and 11.3 centimeters for TRIPLO, while in 2024 the DAP for Ragonese was 15.7 centimeters and 17.2 centimeters for triple. The average annual increase of the DAP (IMA DAP ) at 3 years (2024) was 5.2 centimeters for Ragonese and 5.7 centimeters for TRIPLO. Ponce also pointed out that the average total height of the curtain at age 3 was 14.1 meters, with some Ragonese individuals who achieved 14.8 meters high. If well, the increase in diameter of the triplo To Ragonese, the initial growth of both was very significant. The most important difference was found in the form of the Cup (Arboreal Porte), so Ragonese is the best option for the curtains breaks for its cup in a close way similar to Blanc de Garonne, the clone mostly recommended today , Thomas commented. The evaluations on the adaptability and growth of new clones of poplars and willows are tools for decision making, because they allow to recommend those that best adapt to the characteristics of each site to protect different fruit, viticultural crops, viticultural, horticultural and fodder.