REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS AND POTENTIAL OF SEEDLING EMERGENCY OF Cryptostegia madagascariensis Bojer ex Decne

ABSTRACT

Biological invasion is the process in which an exotic organism, when adapted, shall compete with native species causing serious impacts. The species Cryptostegia madagascariensis introduced in Brazil with landscaping purposes has proved to be a very aggressive invasive species in Caatinga, forming self-regenerating masses, especially in degraded areas and on the banks of watercourses and temporary ponds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive aspects (through biometric characterization) and the potential emergence of Cryptostegia madagascariensis seedlings. To characterize biometric fruits (green colored) and seeds (white colored) had their dimensions measured by assessing whether even the number of seeds per fruit, and fresh weight of fruits and seeds. To evaluate the influence of the position and depth of sowing on seedling emergence, seeds were placed in sterile sand substrate with the hilum down, up and sideways at depths of 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 and 3.0 cm. The high production of very light seeds per fruit, and therefore, the seeds per individual, associated with the absence of natural enemies potentiates the intruder character of Cryptostegia madagascariensis. The emergence and vigor of Cryptostegia madagascariensis seedlings are reduced by the increase in depth.

Keywords:
Caatinga; biological invasion; Apocynaceae; invasive species