USE OF ACID 2 -CHLOROETHYL- PHOSPHONE TO INDUCE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF MESQUITE GUM (Prosopis laevigata)

Background. Mezquite gum (Prosopis laevigata [Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.]) is similar to the gum Arabic; its production is associated to the stress condition of the tree. Objective. To induce and evaluate the gum production and quality. Methodology. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement was used, factor one was seasons (spring and autumn), factor two was tree heights (2.0 and 3.0 m) and factor three was the application of two products, acid 2 -chloroethyl- phosphone (Etherel 240®) + distilled water and a control (distilled water). Results. The gum was produced only in primary branches between 10 and 15 days after applying 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid + distilled water. Gum production was higher in autumn in 3.0 m trees, with an average of 57 g per tree. A yield of 10.8 kg ha-1 of gum with a density of 190 trees ha-1 was estimated. The content of ash and protein in gum was higher in trees of 2.0 m in autumn, while the content of fiber and nitrogen-free extract in gum was higher in trees of 3.0 m in autumn. The moisture and fat content in gum was higher in spring in trees of 2.0 and 3.0 m, respectively. The pH of the gum was less acid in 3.0 m trees in spring with a lower content of impurities. Implications. It is suggested to carry out other tests to determine the presence of acid 2-chloroethyl-phosphonic in the chemical composition of the gum. Conclusion. The application of acid 2-chloroethyl-phosphonic (20%) + distilled water stimulated gum secretion in mesquite trees. Trees treated with distilled water (control) did not produce gum.