Agronomic response of Cratylia argéntea in the subtropical conditions of Cotopaxi

Abstract

Introduction: Forage legumes constitute a strategic resource for livestock production due to their high protein content and nutritional value. Among them, Cratylia argentea stands out for its wide adaptation to tropical and subtropical conditions, high biomass production, and crude protein content ranging from 21% to 28%, characteristics that make it a promising alternative for animal feeding. In Ecuador, the effects of climate change have created challenges for the sustainability of production systems, increasing the need to incorporate resilient species adapted to variable environmental conditions. In addition to its forage value, Cratylia argentea contributes to improving soil fertility through organic matter incorporation and helps reduce emissions associated with livestock systems. In this context, the project aimed to determine its potential as a sustainable alternative to strengthen livestock production. Objective: To evaluate the agronomic response of Cratylia argentea under the subtropical conditions of Cotopaxi. Methodology: The study was conducted at the La Playita Experimental Center of the Technical University of Cotopaxi, La Maná Extension, under subtropical conditions. The agronomic response of Cratylia argentea was evaluated using a completely randomized design with four treatments: control, auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. Seeds were mechanically scarified and subjected to pre-soaking before sowing. Germination, mortality, emergence, and vegetative growth variables were assessed. Data were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were compared using Tukey’s test at the 5% significance level with InfoStat software. Results: The application of phytohormones significantly improved the agronomic response of Cratylia argentea. Gibberellin enhanced germination, reduced seed mortality, and promoted the greatest plant height, whereas cytokinin increased the number of leaves and branches. The results demonstrate that these phytohormones constitute an effective alternative for optimizing the establishment, growth, and adaptation of this forage species. Conclusions: The application of phytohormones significantly improved the agronomic performance of Cratylia argentea. Gibberellin promoted germination, reduced mortality, and increased plant height, while cytokinin enhanced leaf production and branching. These findings indicate that phytohormones represent an effective agronomic strategy to improve the establishment and vegetative development of these forage species under subtropical conditions. General study area: Agronomy. Specific study area: Production. Article type: Original.