Biologia reprodutiva e germinação de cactácea em áreas com diferentes manejos no curimataú oriental paraibano

Abstract

Cactaceae are among the most used vegetables by man, especially in semiarid regions of Brazil. Human interference has caused a rapid decrease in the habitat of these endemic cactus species. Thus, studies that record the knowledge of local populations about cactus and the management and use made of them are of great importance in the elaboration of effective strategies for the conservation of locally threatened species. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the reproductive biology of Cereus jamacaru . subsp .jamacaru. A.D. from the monitoring of reproductive phenophases, analysis of reproductive materials (floral buds and fruits) and germination test, in four areas of the municipality of Solânea-PB, located in Curimataú Oriental, Paraíba. The areas are located in fragments of Caatinga in the municipality of SolâneaPB, in each area 10 individuals were selected for the monthly monitoring of the phenophases, for 12 months. In individuals not marked for phenophase monitoring, 10 buds and 10 fruits were collected from each area and biometry and morphometry and germination test were performed. The flowering peak occurred in both areas in January 2022, precipitation (60mm) in that month begins to increase and humidity (75%) decreases. When compared with the rainfall data, we can observe that fruiting in these areas occurs in the months of greatest rainfall, from February to April. The four areas, with temperature, humidity and precipitation without significant differences, showed morphological differences in their reproductive structures, the more altered the area, the greater the variation in the reproductive structure (floral buds and fruits). In the Salgado area (IV), it obtained fruits with a greater amount of seeds and pulp has a greater chance of zoochoric dispersion and a greater chance of leaving offspring. Area IV showed 98% germination. Area IV had the highest fruiting peak, with fruits with higher amounts of seeds and pulp, in addition to presenting a higher germination percentage of Cereus jamacaru.