Euphorbia tirucalli L de especie ornamental a cultivo energético para zonas semiáridas de Argentina

Abstract

Euphorbia tirucalli L (pencil tree) is an extremely efficient species in photosynthe- sis because combine Crasulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) whereas its leaves have an apparent C3 metabolism. Such plants are typical for desert environments and are naturally adapted to salinity and drought conditions. They have high water use efficiency. Is a promising species for bioenergy production on marginal lands in desert conditions and irrigates by saline water. 

The aim of the present paper was to delimit the capable zone for culturing of this species, giving special emphasis to marginal lands. For that, it was worked with bioclimatic necessities and biophysical limits of the species and climate data of Argentina for period 1981-2010. The overlapping of layers containing information about the spatial variability of bioclimatic indexes allowed us to obtain the map of agroclimatic aptitude for the bush tree.