Does Heliocarpus popayanensis Kunth (Malvaceae) tolerate substract’s hypoxy? - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i2.3566

Abstract

The species Heliocarpus popayanensis is used on floristic recomposition of degraded areas, wich’s soil might present hypoxy. Considering these aspects, this studies evaluates this species answers to flooding. Young plants were submitted to drained and flooded substract for 30 and 60 days, then flooded for 30 days and then drained for more 30 days. Main root and stem length, area and number of leaves, biomass and relative growth rate of roots, stems and leaves and the nutritional content of leaves were determined. Until 60 days of flooding there was a percentual reduction in biomass (38%), in RGR (77%) and in the area of leaves, including reduction in root and stem’s diameter (70%), and in the lignification of floematic cells. There was no anatomic alteration in leaves, but there was reduction of nutrients concentration (N, P, K, Fe, Cu, B). Therefore, young plants of the species Heliocarpus popayanensis survive to the flooding period considered above, probably due to anatomical and morphologic alterations. The rarity of this species in flooded area is probably related to other stages of the life cycle, such as seeds germination or competition with other species in the environment.