Crescimento inicial de Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemão ex. Benth. (Fabaceae) E Chorisia speciosa A.St.-Hil (Malvaceae) sob diferentes níveis de sombreamento

Abstract

The seedling production with conservation or economic purpose depends on knowledge related with the growth and development of plants. The study of plants under different environmental conditions, allows to define ways to improve crops. The present study aimed to evaluate the growth of Dalbergia nigra (rosewood caviúna) and Chorisia speciosa (kapok) seedlings cultivated in greenhouses in order to determine the appropriate shading for growing those species and relate their responses to the ecological context. Seeds were sown and grown in greenhouses at 0, 22, 50, 70, 84 and 91% shading. The growth variables assessed were plant height, stem diameter, leaf area and height/diameter. Data were collected at 30, 60, 90 and 180 days after emergence. Seedlings of Dalbergia nigra had a greater height, stem diameter and leaf area in the treatments with intermediate shading (50%, 70% and 84% shade) and showed characteristics of shade-tolerant species and approaching the later stages of succession to late secondary species climax. Moreover, the seedlings of Chorisia speciosa showed better growth in the treatment without shade (0%) and light shading treatments (20 and 50%), with characteristics of species heliophytic plants in the early stages of succession, as pioneer plants or early secondary.