Development of Eugenia dysenterica (Mart.) DC. seedlings in the Cerrado, Brazil

Desenvolvimento de mudas de Eugenia dysenterica (Mart.) DC. no Cerrado de Goiânia

Sandro Rodrigues da Silva¹, Wilson de Souza Dourado¹; Ronaldo Veloso Naves¹, Muza do Carmo Vieira^2,*, Caio César de Oliveira Pereira² and Eli Regina Barboza de Souza¹  

¹Escola de Agronomia da Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, Brazil

 ²Instituto Federal Goiano - Câmpus Urutaí, Goiás, Brazil

ABSTRACT:

Eugenia dysenterica (Mart.) DC. is a native tree of the Cerrado, a Brazilian ecosystem similar to the savannas. It has various uses such as food, medicinal, timber, ornamental and reforestation. Its fruits can be eaten raw or processed for the preparation of juices, liquors, cakes and ice cream. However, their exploitation has been made of extraction and often predatory manner. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phenology, plant biometrics and survival of a collection of Cagaiteiras trees in the initial phase of development located in the Cerrado, in Goiânia municipality. We collected fruits of 25 natural subpopulations of 5 states of the Brazilian Cerrado (Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, and Tocantins). Within each subpopulation, six trees (mother plant) were sampled (with exceptions the subpopulations 2, 12, and 21 that were sampled five, four and five, respectively), and five fruits of each mother plant were collected. The collection was established in November 2013; the evaluations occurred between March and October 2014. We conducted an initial assessment, and another monthly between April and October 2014. The progenies manifested differently for the traits, being observed high variability among traits.

Keywords: Native fruit tree, seedling production, plant selection

RESUMO:

Palavras-chave: Frutífera nativa, produção de mudas, seleção de planta

INTRODUCTION

The Brazilian Cerrado are one of the richest plant formations in species diversity. However, part of this diversity is being lost due to the anthropic actions to exploit areas where the Cerrado predominates. Many native plant species have already been extinct or are in the process of extinction, losing their representativeness without knowing their real potential (Almeida et al., 1987; Souza, 2006).

The lack of knowledge of Brazilian native species and the devaluation of biodiversity increase the threat of extinction as Brack et al. (2007)  reported and especially those of the Cerrado Biome  of which little is known.

Native species of the Cerrado have the potential for sustainable economic exploitation, among them the Cagaiteira tree, a native fruit tree of the Cerrado that can be found in formations of Cerrado stricto sensu, "Cerradão" and meadow (Mendonça et al., 1998).

According to Gomide et al. (1994), the Cagaiteira (E. dysenterica) has fruitful and medicinal potential. Its fruit is widely consumed by the local population, in cooking, in natura, in the production of ice cream and jellies (Almeida et al., 1987), and as a source of antioxidants and bioactive components (Abadio Finco et al., 2012).

Studies on the geographical distribution, cultivation and genetic structure of local populations have already been carried out (Chaves & Telles, 2006). However, there is still a need for continuous studies that clarify in more detail the biometry, phenophases, and survival of seedlings in the field, so the selection of promising progenies can be made and then the introduction to cultivation.

The objective of this work was to perform the biometric evaluation, to monitor the phenology and the survival of one hundred and twenty-two progenies of Cagaiteira Eugenia dysenterica (Mart.) DC plants, in the early stages of development, from different subpopulations occurring in the Cerrado, Brazil.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The sowing occurred on November 15, 2011, in plastic bags with 24 cm of height and 18 cm in diameter containing substrate with a mixture of earth and sand proportion with 1:1. Irrigation was daily performed when there was no precipitation. The material was kept in screened with 50% shading.

After 24 months, the seedlings were planted in the experimental area of the School of Agronomy - Federal University of Goiás (EA / UFG) in Goiânia, GO-Brazil, located on the Highway GO-010, at geographical coordinates 16º36 South 49º17 West of Greenwich, and 736 m of altitude. The soil of the experimental area was classified as Dark-Red Latosol. The climate of the region is Aw type of Köppen-Geiger (Peel et al., 2007; Alvares et al., 2014), warm and semi-humid with dry season well defined between the months of May and September.

For the preparation of the area was performed a plowing, a harrowing, a furrowing, and the opening of pits with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 40 cm. in spacing of 3 × 2 m. The transplant was carried out in November 2013 (twenty-four months after sowing).

The stem diameter at the soil level total height of the plant (from the soil level to the insertion region of the younger leaf), and the survival of plants were evaluated. The diameter measurements were performed with the aid of a digital caliper, in millimeters, and for height, a graduated ruler.

Phenological observations were performed every 30 days, between April and October 2014, in 24-month-old plants. In all plants was made the count of young leaves and old leaves.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Assessing the stem diameter at the soil level a significant difference (p≤0.01) was observed for the subpopulation and progeny effect, with 56% of the total variation of the sums of squares (Table 2). This highlights the genetic variability existing for stem diameter between subpopulations and progenies.  

For the time, there was a significant difference (p≤0.01). The progenies tend to increase the diameter of the stem gradually over time. The time effect was responsible for 28% of the total data variation (Table 2). The interaction of subpopulation with time and progeny interaction over time was not significant (p> 0.05) with the mean stem diameter remaining constant over time.

As for the progenies, the variability detected in the analysis was confirmed in the Scott-Knott (1974) averages grouping test at 5% probability, where it was possible to define eight groups. The averages for the stem diameter variable were 2.31 mm, the means ranged from 1.08 to 4.13 mm, with a variation range of 3.05 mm. The three largest averages were expressed by the m1p4 progenies (Mother tree (M) 1 from subpopulation (S) 4) - Coromandel-MG; m2p6 (M 2 S 6) - Paracatu-MG and m2p04 (M 2 S 4) - Coromandel-MG, with means of 4.06, 4.13 and 4.13 mm, respectively.

The larger stem mean diameters of these progenies indicate a greater growth capacity, which suggests that they have an early cycle, a favorable feature to selection for domestication. Less time to reach the appropriate diameter for the grafting and insertion in crop systems to obtain fruits of the Cerrado, to subsidize the municipality demands.

As expected and not different from the stem diameter, for the total height of plants there was a significant difference (p≤0.01) for the time, that is, the progenies tend to increase plant height gradually over time. The time effect was responsible for 18% of the total data variation (Table 3). The interaction of subpopulation with time and progeny interaction over time was not significant (p>0.05).

There were three groups for both IDIA and IALT characters. Their overall averages were 1.64 mm and 5.34 cm for IDIA and IALT, respectively (Table 4). For IDIA, the group with the highest averages was represented by a single subpopulation, the 14 (Mimoso-GO), with an average of increase of 2.88 mm. For IALT, the group with the highest mean values of increment were represented by three subpopulations, the 8 (Pirapora-MG), 14 (Mimosos-GO), 7 (João Pinheiro-MG) and averages of 9.05, 11.39 and 12.37 cm, respectively (Table 4). The subpopulation 14 (Mimoso-GO) was highlighted, since it presented better mean values for IDIA and IALT 2.88 mm and 11.39 cm, respectively (Figure 1). This shows that this subpopulation possesses greater capacity of increase in stem diameter and total height of plant, being inferred, therefore, subpopulation with early cycle. This is a very important discovery because it is a very slow growth species (Chaves & Telles, 2006).

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Among the progenies, the variability detected in the analysis of variance was confirmed in the Scott-Knott (1974) clustering test at 5% probability for the variable height of plants there was grouping in eight groups (Table 5).

The overall mean for the total plant height of the progenies was (Figure 2) 12.02 cm, the means varied between 3.54 and 32.67 cm, with a range of variation of 29.13 cm. The three largest averages for the height character were the progenies, m2p13 (M 2 S 13) - Roda Velha-BA, m1p3 (M 1 S 3) - Catalão-GO and m2p4 (M 2 S 4) – Coromandel-MG, averages 26.19, 31.64 and 32.67 cm, respectively. As in the diameter variable, progenies with higher averages for height indicate a greater capacity of growth, which makes it possible to affirm that these have favorable characteristics for the selection, considering indicative of precocity (Novaes, 2014).

]]> In an experiment conducted at the Federal University of Goiás, from May 1998 to November 1999, Souza et al. (2002) evaluated Cagaiteiras trees after 175 days of sowing, was found that the stem diameter with best means were: 0.15; 0.16; 0.17; 0.16; 0.18; 0.25 and 0.64 cm, at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 540 days after planting, respectively. For the height variable, the best averages were 10.16; 10.27; 11.38; 12.49; 15.16; 17.48 and 46.26 cm, at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 540 days after planting, respectively.

According to Silva et al. (2001) evaluating ten subpopulations of Cagaiteiras from the southeast of Goiás, observed the existence of genetic differences among subpopulations. According to these authors, in addition to the genetic differences, the uncontrolled environmental components, such as the anthropogenic condition, the soil. the climate, the age of the plant should greatly influence the phenotypic variation. 

Evaluating the same plants, the subpopulation 23 (Faina-GO) was among the three lowest averages for the evaluated trait from February to October 2012 under screened Novaes (2014). This result agrees with what was found in the present study, its performance under field conditions remained low, with a mean of 1.10 mm IDIA and 1.29 cm IALT. In their evaluations, subpopulations 1, 2 and 21 (Bambuí-MG; Luz-MG and Cocalinho-MT, respectively) presented higher mean values, in the present study the response of these subpopulations in field conditions did not correspond in the same way, subpopulations 1 and 2 for both diameter and height were in the worst performing group (group C), while subpopulation 21, in the diameter character was in the worst group (C) and for height, was in the intermediate group (B). This factor (change in ranking) can be explained by the genetic difference between the evaluated individuals and attributed to the adaptive process to the environmental conditions of these subpopulations when in field conditions.

It was found by Duboc (2005) increase of the stem diameter of Cagaiteiras, in a gallery forest, in the city of Planaltina de Goiás - DF at 4, 8 and 12 months after planting, with different doses of Nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 40 Kg ha^-1). The means for N 0 Kg ha^-1 treatment was 1.08 mm, indicating a much lower increase, lower than the mean of the worst subpopulation in this study (Faina - GO).

The results presented in the present work demonstrate the variability, unevenness and slow growth in relation to the characteristics stem diameter and plant height of Cagaiteira. This result corroborates with the findings of Souza et al. (2002) who noticed in their studies that the Cagaiteira shows growth in height and uneven diameter. This fact, infers in selecting earlier and uniformly growing seedlings for orchard implantation.

As for phenology, was observed that for the new leaves there was intermittent emission throughout the evaluation period (November 2013 to October 2014), with intensification in the months of September and October. Observations made in other works with plants of different ages verified that the renewal of leaves of the Cagaiteira occur in the months of September and October (Souza, 2006; Camilo et al., 2013). In this case, it is inferred that the Cagaiteira expresses the phenological pattern of intensive emission of new leaves in the months of September and October, independent of the development stage.

Interactions between total plant height, stem diameter, old leaves and new leaves were observed. These with each other and with the climatic variables minimum, medium and maximum temperatures, relative humidity (RH), precipitation and insolation (Table 6). In the present study, interactions of the stem diameter variable with other variables were observed: plant height (0.73) considered strong and positive; old leaves (0.68) moderate and positive; new leaves (0.34) considered a weak and positive correlation; stem diameter was also observed with the climatic variables: Tmax, Taverage and Tmin (0.28, 0.13, and 0.02) positive and weak and very weak interaction. respectively; insolation (0.12) positive and very weak interaction; precipitation and RH (-0.22 and -0.10) negative, weak and very weak interaction, respectively.

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The plant height interaction with other characteristics was also observed: old leaves (0.61) moderate and positive interaction; new leaves (0.35) a weak and positive. Consequently, plants with larger diameter also had higher height and a larger number of old leaves. The interaction of the total plant height variable with climatic variables: Tmax., Taverage and Tmin. (0.29, 0.19 and 0.11), had a positive and weak interaction; and positive and very weak interactions respectively; Insolation, precipitation and RU (0.02; 0.02 and 0.21) had a positive, negative, very weak and weak correlation, respectively.  

We observed interactions between the old leaves phenological variables and: T max., Taverage, Tmin., (0.14, 0.06, and 0.01) positive and very poor, respectively; Insolation, precipitation and RU (0.04; 0.14 and 0.04), positive, negative and well weak, respectively. As for the new leaves variables: Tmax, (0.25) considered positive and a poor interaction; T.average and T.min. (0.18 and 0.11), positive and very poor, respectively; Insolation, precipitation and RU (0.02; 0.04 and 0.08) positive, negative and well weak interaction, respectively. Results of other studies corroborate those obtained in the present study.

In the assessment of Cagaiteiras in the Cerrado region, Souza et al. (2008), observed that there was a significant correlation of the phenophases and the maximum temperature, mean temperature and relative humidity of the air, indicated as possible promoters of the emission of new leaves. In their research, they observed that the renewal of leaves occurs every year and intensifies in the months of September and October. They also observed a significant and positive interaction of emission of new leaves and maximum temperature (0.45) and average temperature (0.32) in population A. In populations B and C they obtained (0.53) and (0.62) for maximum temperature and (0.45) and (0.52) for average temperature, respectively. In relation to relative air humidity, there was a significant and negative interaction (-0.32 and -0.33) in populations B and C, respectively.

The assessment of Cagaiteiras trees after fourteen years of planting in the School of Agronomy of the Federal University of Goiás (EA / UFG), from September 2011 to April 2012, Camilo et al. (2013) found significant and negative interaction of the emission of new leaves with minimum temperature (-0.384), relative humidity (-0.404) and precipitation (-0.440). The discrepancy in relation to the indices evaluated in the present study can be justified by the difference in the periods evaluated.

The results presented previously, corroborate with those obtained in the present work. The small discrepancies in the indexes of correlations may be possibly explained by the fact that they are plants at different stages of development and / or distinct periods of evaluation.

About the survival variable, it was observed high survivals, between 72.22% and 100%. In a study in Planaltina-DF, among many other plants, guanandi (Callophylum brasiliense) and cagaiteira (Eugenia dysenterica) were used in the recovering area. Of 48 individuals of each species planted in December 2006 and evaluated 38 months after planting, the survival was zero percent for both species, a factor attributed to the lack of establishment capacity in local conditions and also the quality and age of the seedlings. On the other hand, in the same study the cagaiteira presented as natural regeneration, high survival from 89.29% to 98.21%. In this case, the root regeneration (regrowth) reminiscent of individuals previously planted in the area (Cortes, 2012).

Survival rates may be affected depending on nutrition. The survival of Cagaiteira tress, after one year of planting, was affected with the application of different doses of nitrogen (N). The soil of Cerrado and in Gallery forest (although not significant, there is a trend of increase in survival in the absence of the two nutrients): 0 Kg ha^-1 N had survival of 91.75% and 100%, dosage 10 kg ha^-1 survival of 58.25% and 75%; dosage of 20 kg ha^-1 survival of 66.75% and 50%; and with the application of 40 kg ha^-1 survival of 50% and 58.25%, respectively. In relation to the addition of Phosphorus (P) in gallery forest soils at doses of 0, 10, 20 and 40 kg ha^-1, survival of 66.75%. 41.75%. 66.75% and 58.25%, respectively. In the same way that N despite the non-significant influence of the treatments of P it is observed that there is a tendency of greater survival with its absence (Duboc, 2005).

The high survival rates may be associated with the adaptability of the species to the edaphoclimatic conditions, as well as the cultural treatments developed in this initial phase of development. Monitoring planting areas, such as pest control, and control of spontaneous plants may contribute positively to plant survival (Cortes, 2012).

Survival rates change over the years. Studies in plantations in the recovering area in Planaltina-DF, using several species of the Cerrado biome, indicated that as the years passed, plant survival decreased at 38, 43 and 50 months after planting. The survivals of the individuals were 48.75%, 47.50% and 42.78%, respectively, suggesting the adaptability of the species to the local conditions (Cortes, 2012).

CONCLUSION

In the assessment period (November 2013. and from April to October 2014) the Cagaiteiras trees showed an average of 2.31 mm of stem diameter and 12.02 cm of total plant height.

The plants of the subpopulation 14 (Mimoso-GO) and 7 (João Pinheiro) showed higher averages for the stem diameter (2.88 mm) and total plant height 12.37 cm.

The progeny m2p4 (Coromandel-MG) obtained higher mean values for stem diameter (4.13 mm) and total plant height (32.67 cm).

In the early stages of development, the greater the total height of the plant, the larger its diameter and the greater the number of old leaves.

In September and October is intensified the emergence of new leaves.

The subpopulations evaluated have survival between 72.22% and 100%.

The lack of knowledge of Brazilian native species and the devaluation of biodiversity increase the threat of extinction according to Brack et al. (2007).

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Received/recebido: 2017.05.07

Received in revised form/recebido em versão revista: 2017.06.19