Objective: To evaluate growth rate, leaf:stem ratio, and height of crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.) plants sown at different densities, in the dry tropics of the state of Guerrero, Mexico.Design/Methodology/Approach: The treatments consisted of four planting densities: 400,000, 200,000, 100,000 plants ha1, and overseed. A growth analysis was also carried out at 30, 38, 45, 52, 60, 68, and 75 days of growth, when the pod was fully developed. The variables evaluated were: growth rate, leaf:stem ratio, plant height, and their correlation.Results: The best growth rate (577 kg DM ha1 d1) was obtained at a 400,000 plants ha1 planting density, at 75 days of development. Likewise, the best plant height rate was obtained with this planting density (281 cm). Meanwhile, the leaf:stem ratio had a different behavior, obtaining its highest rate at 30 days. Regardless of the age of the plant, the following descending order was recorded: 100,000 overseed 200,000 400,000 plants ha1, with 0.65, 0.60, 0.59, and 0.55 (p0.05), respectively.Study Limitations/Implications: This is a very important study for future researches, because the crotalaria variables studied in this research have never been evaluated before and they are fundamental for forage production.Findings/Conclusions: The recommended planting density is 400,000 plants ha1. Acceptable leaf:stem ratio and growth rate were reported at 45 days of development; the plant height reached 186 cm.
