Strategies to transplant Fabaceae species from natural regeneration

Abstract

The objective of this study was to test the effect of shading levels and leaf reduction intensities on the survival and growth of Copaifera langsdorffii Guillem. ex Benth., Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. and Hymenaea courbaril L. seedlings rescued from natural regeneration. Three experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with split-plots, in which four shading composed the plots (0 or full sun; 30; 50; and 70%) and three leaf reductions intensities composed the subplots (0; 50; and 100%). General average survival after six months from the rescue was 47.6% for C. tomentosum, 44.6% for H. courbaril and 21.4% for C. langsdorffii. Considering the height, only C. tomentosum demonstrated a significant effect of leaf reduction and shading, with total or partial maintenance of leaves (0% or 50% of leaf reduction) and the when under up to 50% shading providing a greater increment. Leaf reduction is not necessary for rescuing the seedlings from H. courbaril and C. langsdorffii, whereas the leaf reduction of 50% intensity is advised to enhance the survival of C. tomentosum species. As for shading, 50% is the most suitable level for acclimatization of H. courbaril and C. tomentosum seedlings while for C. langsdorffii the level is 70%.