Agrometeorological models for predicting seedlings development of two native forest species

Abstract

Models of development are tools that connect the effects of development on the environment, allowing their applications in several studies. Nevertheless, studies are scarce on models of development for native forest species in Brazil. This study aimed to predict the development of two native forest species -Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. and Bixa orellana L.with two agrometeorological models, being one linear (Phyllochron) and another nonlinear (Wang and Engel, 1998). Both models predict the cumulative leaf number (CLN) on a daily basis, which generates the seedling phase duration (SPD) when integrated to time. Data were used from two years of experiments conducted during 2015 and 2016 growing seasons and 12 sowing dates in Itajubá, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. These species × sowing dates × years experiments provided a rich dataset for calibrating and evaluating both models. Although both models used in the study allowed predicting the dynamics of leaf development, CLN, and SPD in two native forest species, the Wang and Engel model provided a more accurate prediction of CLN and SPD for C. myrianthum species, with an overall root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.82 leaves (CLN) and 5.9 days (SPD). For B. orellana, the Phyllochron model was slightly better, with an overall RMSE of 1.48 leaves (CLN) and seven days (SDP).

Thermal and photoperiodic requirements of the seedling stage of three tropical forest species

“…The seeds were sown in outdoor pots at the forest nursery. Details on collecting and storing the seeds were described by Ferreira et al (2019a, b) and Martins et al (2022b).…”

“…The seedling stage of plant growth is the most sensitive and least tolerant to climatic conditions and extremes (Morin et al 2010;Rawal et al 2014;Ferreira et al 2019a, b;Silva et al 2020;Fagundes et al 2021;Martins et al 2022b), especially to air temperature variability (Costa and Streck 2018;Florêncio et al 2019;Reis et al 2021). Gradual or abrupt changes in climate can alter physiological processes, and if persistent, can change morphological and phenological patterns (Bahuguna and Jagadish 2015; Reis et al 2021) and impact seedling quality and survival.…”

“…(Verbenaceae), and Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae). The method used to quantify thermal 2019b; Freitas and Martins 2019;Fagundes et al 2021;Reis et al 2021;Martins et al 2022b).…”

“…Air temperature and photoperiod are critical factors for seedling development of tropical forest species (Rawal et al 2014;Ferreira et al 2019a, b;Freitas and Martins 2019;Silva et al 2020;Martins et al 2022b, c). Air temperature influences physiological and metabolic activities, photosynthesis and photorespiration, the transport of solutes, and the balance between transpiration and water consumption (Freitas et al 2017;Ferreira et al 2019a;Martins et al 2022b). The photoperiod or day length affects the amount of solar radiation and the timing of photosynthesis and biomass production (Rawal et al 2015;Langner et al 2016;Mantai et al 2017;Freitas and Martins 2019).…”

“…Among the tropical forest species, three deserve particular attention due to their economic and ecological importance (Ferreira et al 2019a, b;Reis et al 2021;Martins et al 2022b): Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae; guava), Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. (Verbenaceae; fiddlewood, pau-viola) and Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae; annatto or achiote).…”