EFFECT OF AGE AND CULM SECTIONING ON THE ASEXUAL PROPAGATION OF GUADUA-CHACOENSIS AND ITS REACTION TO COVER BY PENNISETUM-PURPUREUM VAR KING GRASS (POACEAE)

The effect of two ages, three sections of the culm and a covering syst em with Pennisetum purpureum var. King grass on the production guadua (Guadua chacoensis (Rojas Acosta) of London y Peterson) were studied i n Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica. Time-divided parcels, random complet e blocks and four repetitions with a factorial arrangement 2x3x2 for t he large parcel were set as follows: two ages, three sections and the use of absence of cover, and time-record sub-parcels. The useful exper imental unit has 2.5 m with five furrows by parcel and 0.5 m between t hem; culm ages one and three years. Section: basal, middle and distal for each, as well as presence or absence of king grass cover. Variable s: production, height, diameter, death rate and rooting of new shoots with monthly evaluations from October through February. Three year cul ms produced less shoots, but greater height and diameter and lower dea th rates. Basal shoots reached larger diameter and height, and lower d eath rates; however, their production was lower than in middle and dis tal parts. Median shoots reached intermediate values for every variabl e. Grass cover produces greater height and a lower death rate, and ten d to benefit the production of shoots in dry periods.