Objetive: The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield, intercepted radiation and morphology of crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.) at different planting densities, in the dry tropics of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Desing / Methodology / Approach: The treatments were: four planting densities at 400,000, 200,000, 100,000 plants ha-1 and a stream. A growth analysis was also evaluated at 30, 38, 45, 52, 60, 68 and 75 days of growth, understanding that the pod was fully developed. The variables evaluated were: dry matter yield, intercepted radiation and morphological composition. Results: The dry matter yield, regardless of the cutting age, was obtained in descending order at the planting densities of: 400,000 ˃ chorrillo ˃ 200,000 ˃ 100,000 plants ha-1 with 19,837, 17,918, 8,786 and 4,074 kg DM ha-1, Study Limitations / Implications: In the tropics it is necessary to broaden the panorama with the producers, in the use of forage legumes to improve the feeding of cattle. Findings / Conclusions: It is recommended to sow at a sowing density of 400,000 plants ha-1 and to cut after 45 days of growth in crotalaria since it is when the best structural characteristics of the meadow and 95% of intercepted radiation are found

Objetive: To evaluate the growth rate, leaf:stem ratio and height of crotalaria plants (Crotalaria juncea L.), cultivated at different densities, in the dry tropics of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Desing / Methodology / Approach: The treatments were: four planting densities at 400,000, 200,000, 100,000 plants ha-1 and trickling. A growth analysis was also evaluated at 30, 38, 45, 52, 60, 68 and 75 days of growth, including that the pod was fully developed. The variables evaluated were: growth rate, leaf:stem ratio and plant height. Results: The best growth rate was found at a density of 400,000 plants ha-1, at 75 days of development, with 577 kg DM ha-1 d-1; similar to plant height, which at this density presented 281 cm. Contrary to the leaf:stem ratio, which was greater than 30 days. Regardless of age, a descending behavior was found in the following order: 100,000 ˃ chorrillo ˃ 200,000 ˃ 400,000 plants ha-1 with 0.65, 0.60, 0.59 and 0.55 (p < 0.05). Study Limitations / Implications: This study is essential for future research because these variables have not been evaluated in this crop; being important for forage production. Findings / Conclusions: It is recommended to sow at a density of 400,000 plants ha-1, finding a higher leaf:stem ratio at 30 days of development and a plant height at day 75, when pod production also begins

La soya [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] es un recurso forrajero de alta calidad, por sus características nutricionales y producción de biomasa, pero la adopción y establecimiento en praderas es limitado debido al poco conocimiento sobre el manejo agronómico. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el potencial productivo y las características morfológicas de soya variedad Salcer a diferentes densidades de población y edad al corte en condiciones de trópico seco. Se evaluaron cuatro densidades de población 250,000, 125,000, 62,500 y 41,250 plantas ha-1 cada ocho días a partir de los 30 días hasta los 75 posteriores a la germinación, bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones. La producción de forraje, tasa de crecimiento, altura de planta, relación hoja:tallo, radiación interceptada y composición morfológica fueron evaluadas. El rendimiento de forraje fue mayor cuando la población fue a altas densidades que a bajas con 4462 y 2958 kg MS ha-1, respectivamente (P ≤ 0.05) con 250,000 y 41,250 plantas ha-1. No hubo diferencias entre densidades para la relación hoja:tallo (P > 0.05); con respecto a la edad de corte, se obtuvieron los mayores valores con un promedio superior a la unidad en los días 30 a 52 (1.93 y 1.20). La soya interceptó mayor radiación duranteel día 60 (82 %). La densidad de población y la edad al corte son factores determinantes en el rendimiento de materia seca en soya forrajera, donde las densidades de 250,000 y 125,000 plantas ha-1 se comportaron mejor y se recomienda cortar entre los 52 y 60 días.