BUFFELGRASS PRODUCTION UNDER VARIOUS ESTA BLISHMENT METHODS IN THE SERTAO REGION, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

A trial was set up in a ''Caatinga'' vegetation area, to compare metho ds of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) establishment. It was made up of 12 treatments, in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial [2 woodland clearing metho ds (Slashing vs Clearing by bulldozer); 2 types of seedbed preparation (Plowing and disking vs no preparation); and 3 modes of seeding (Pits with seeds not covered vs pits with seeds covered vs broadcasting)]. It was started in September 1978 by woodland clearing, followed by gra ss seeding in January 1979. Evaluations in April 1979 and April 1980 s howed no difference among seeding modes on buffelgrass production. The re was effect of seedbed preparation on buffelgrass production (1,87 v s 0,26 t/ha in 79; 4,87 vs 1,63 t/ha in 80). Slashing was superior to clearing by bulldozer. There was interaction between clearing modes an d seedbed preparation. Buffelgrass production in 1980 was superior to 1979 (3,24 vs 1.06 t/ha). The native grass production was very low in comparison to forbs, even when there was no establishment of buffelgra ss in the first year.