Leaf phenology, growth and photosynthesis in Pseudobombax munguba (Malvaceae)

Abstract

Munguba (Pseudobombax munguba) is a tree often found in low-land forests of the Amazon region, and there is a paucity of data regarding its ecophysiology. The aim of this work was to determine photosynthetic rates and growth of munguba saplings and to describe leaf phenology of a munguba tree. In greenhouse-grown saplings, diameter growth, leaf expansion, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were determined. To describe the relationship between photosynthesis and leaf expansion, regression analysis was used. It was also described the leaf phenology of an adult tree by observing foliage changes at one-week intervals for two years. The leaves completed their expansion in 18 days, and leaf greening was completed in 40 days. Photosynthesis positively correlated with leaf expansion, but there was no correlation between stomatal conductance and leaf growth. Growth in diameter was 1.8 mm month -1. Relative growth rate was low, 0.010 g g -1 day -1 . In the adult tree, leaf shedding was concentrated in July-August and by the second week of September the tree had already produced new leaves. Leaf longevity of munguba is about 11 months. It is hypothesized that leaf phenology of munguba is associated with the increased solar radiation of the dry season.