Growth and split of the dry mass in young plants of amburana (Amburana cearensis (Fr. All.) AC Smith) and umbuzeiro (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam.)

Abstract

Amburana cearensis and Spondias tuberosa have physiological and morphological adaptations for the climate of caatinga biome and are under threat of extinction. The objective of this paper was to characterize the photoassimilate partition of Ambulana cearenses and Spondias tuberosa plants trying to understand the contribution of the root system to the maintenance of the initial growth of the plants. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with four evaluation intervals after the transplanting of the seedlings (60, 120, 180 and 240 days). The parameters analyzed were: plant height, stem diameter, length and width of leaf, number of leaves, leaf area, tuberous roots and dry mass. From the dry mass data and total leaf area, it was determined indices for the absolute growth rate (AGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (AFE), leaf weight ratio (RPF) and specific leaf weight (PEF). In both species, the photoassimilates partition indicates that the tuberous root is functioning as a high activity drain, til its formation, being guided by branches, secondary roots and leaves. For a large part of the growth parameters, the plants of Spondias tuberosa obtained significantly higher averages, thus resulting in greater growth and development than the seedlings of Amburana cearensis. It was concluded that the formation of the tuberous roots is the main drain for photoassimilates in the initial growth of the plants of both species.

Keywords:
Caatinga; Tree; Tuberous root; Initial development