Reproductive Phenology of pitanga (Eugenia pitanga) in the Pantanal

Abstract

Phenological studies are fundamental for understanding the biological cycles of plants and, in the case of species with potential commercial use, such as the pitanga, the generated knowledge can enable the most appropriate and sustainable use of the resources and enable the production of seedlings and genetic maintenance of the species. The objective of the study was to generate information about pitanga´s phenology in the Pantanal, a biome for which this information is inexistent. The study was conducted in the Pantanal (Aquidauana subregion), monthly over two years in 30 fixed plots of 100m². All individuals observed in the plots (n=30) were tagged and monitored for flower and fruit production. The flowering had intermediate duration and occurred at the end of the dry season, beginning of the rainy season. The fruiting is brief to intermediate and occurs at the beginning of the rainy season. Both phenophases are seasonal, annual and regular. None of the climatic variables (mean temperature, precipitation or photoperiod) explained the reproductive phenophases, and the pattern found may indicate the occurrence of phylogenetic constraints.