PHENODYNAMICS OF Solanum mauritianum SCOP. IN A PLANTATION FOR SUBTROPICAL FOREST RESTORATION

Abstract

We evaluated the phenodynamics of Solanum mauritianum Scop. in a forest plantation to check the ecological behavior of this species in restoration condition. Twelve trees were observed over 24 months, according to regrowth, flowering, fruiting and defoliation. The phenophases were correlated with the photoperiod, climatic variables, maximum, average, minimum temperature and precipitation through Pearson´s correlation. The species exhibited over the year highly synchronic, flowering and fruiting. The flowering occurred from January to December, with floral buds being observed simultaneously with ripe fruits, reaching a maximum dispersion in February. Temperatures below 10°C and frosts inhibited the leaf re-sprouts, promoting a leaf deciduous peak in March and June. The permanent availability of resources as flowers and fruits and the resilience of vegetative phenophases in response to severe frosts make S. mauritianum an adapted species of highly ecological potential to be used in regional restoration projects.

Abundance of the bat Sturnira lilium (Phyllostomidae) in relation Solanum mauritianum (Solanaceae) diaspores in an Atlantic Forest fragment of southern Brazil

“…The plant produces flowers and fruits at regular intervals throughout the year, enabling a single plant to produce excessive numbers of seeds (Denny 1999). In south Brazil, flowering and fruiting of the species was documented throughout the year, occurring from January to December, except in frosty times (Lubke et al 2021). In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the association of the frugivore bat S. lilium with the diaspores of S. mauritianum in different stages of maturation.…”