2. Does grazing affect the accumulation and assimilation of starch in Neltuma laevigata (Fabales: Fabaceae)?.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of grazing on the concentration of starch in mesquite trees. The research was carried out in two natural stands, one of them subjected to grazing in Durango, Mexico. Root and stem samples were taken from four adult trees (50 years old), in each of the sites, they were subsequently freeze-dried, ground to a fine powder and the starch concentration was determined by the Ebell, Haising and Dickson method. The Shapiro-Wilks normality test was performed, followed by an ANOVA and a Tukey mean comparison test (p≤0.05). The results showed that in the grazing-free site the root had a higher concentration of starch. In the comparison between perennial organs, the root presented the highest concentration of starch in both sites and the phenological stage of vegetative growth turned out to be the one with the lowest concentration of starch in relation to the other phenological stages in both sites. Grazing influences the accumulation of starch in the roots in a negative way, increasing the concentration in the stems.