FRUIT PRODUCTION IN BYRSONIMA KUNTH (MALPIGUIACEAE): RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLANT SELF-IN-COMPATIBILITY AND PRESENCE OF ANTS

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.8133102307111

• Palavras-chave: Flowering, Fruiting, Formicidae

• Keywords: Flowering, Fruiting, Formicidae

• Abstract:

  Studies on the effect of ants on pollination and fruit production in the genus Byrsonima need to be expanded. It was verified whether there is similarity in fruit production between a self-compatible Byrsonima (Byrsonima coccolobifolia) and another self-incompatible (Byrsonima sericea) and relationship with the presence of ants. Analyzes were carried out from September 2017 to August 2018. The phenology of the species was observed and correlated with climatic data. The number of fruits was obtained in the treatments: exclusion of ants, exclusion of other insects (pollinators and/or herbivores); presence of ants and free inflorescences (natural conditions). The weight and average diameter of the fruits were calculated, compared using the T test, in Statistic. Ants were collected, checking the most frequent ones. Byrsonima coccolobifolia showed high budding and caducifolia synchrony. It was characterized as evergreen and has a Steady State flowering strategy. Fruit formation was asynchronous for most of the year. Byrsonima sericea has a cornucopia flowering strategy, with restricted fruit production. No correlation between B. coccolobifolia phenophases and climatic factors was recorded. Data such as temperature, humidity and photoperiod were correlated with the reproductive phenophase of B. sericea. No influence of ants on the quality of the fruits of the two species was detected, regardless of self-incompatibility.