Desenvolvimento de mudas de guanandi (Calophyllum brasiliens Cambess.) sob diferentes condições de sombreamento

Abstract

Guanandi is a tree species greatly valued for its wood and widely used in mixed reforestation programs in degraded riparian forests. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the initial development of the species saplings and shading levels, by analyzing variations in the concentration of chlorophylls (a/b), carotenoids, and foliar nitrogen, as well as biomass accumulation. Treatments with intermediary shading (30% and 50%) resulted in increased height and increased stem secondary growth. The lowest foliar nitrogen content was found in saplings grown under 70% shading. Saplings grown under 50% shading showed lower levels of chlorophyll a than of chlorophyll b, and consequently a lower chlorophyll a/b ratio than plants subjected to the other treatments. Overall, the best vegetative performance was observed in saplings grown under 30% and 50% shading. The full-sun growth condition is not recommended for the initial development of guanandi saplings.