Influence of the light on the morphophysiological responses of native trees species of the semidecidual stational forest

• Published in: Revista brasileira de botânica 2021-12, Vol.44 (4), p.963-976
• Main Authors: Firmino, Taysi Pereira, de Souza, Luiz Antonio, Barbeiro, Caroline, Marcílio, Thais, Romagnolo, Mariza Barion, Pastorini, Lindamir Hernandez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Botany; Carbohydrates; Chlorophyll; Ecology & Biogeography - Original Article; Indigenous species; Leaves; Life Sciences; Light; Light intensity; Light levels; Luminosity; Luminous intensity; Parenchyma; Physiology; Plant roots; Plant species; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Plasticity; Shade; Thickness; Trees
• ISSN: 0100-8404; 1806-9959
• DOI: 10.1007/s40415-021-00754-4

Tree species have the ability to respond to different levels of light, changing their morphophysiological characteristics. The present study aimed to analyze the influence of light on the growth of three tree species from the Atlantic Forest biome. Growth variables, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, carbohydrates content and leaf anatomical aspects were investigated in the plants kept under two levels of light (80% shading and in full sun) at 60 and 120 days. The results showed that the three species have plastic responses, which allowed them to survive in both light levels. However, Machaerium brasiliense Vogel did not show differences for most growth variables, when kept under shade or full sun, indicating performance similar in both light conditions. Cordia trichotoma (Vell.) Arráb. ex Steud. and Triplaris americana L. presented different responses when maintained at different light levels, such as higher dry biomass, greater thickness of the palisade parenchyma, and greater total thickness of the leaves when kept in full sun. Shade-tolerant species ( M. brasiliense ) showed higher content of total soluble carbohydrates in the roots of plants kept in shade, representing plasticity in the physiological response of the plant. The two pioneer species have better growth and physiological performance in the higher light intensity treatment. In general, M. brasiliense is less plastic in relation to the other two species. Thus, the pioneers species, C. trichotoma and T. americana, could be used in the early phases of restoration of degraded areas due to their ability to perform better under higher luminosity.