Enantiostyly is a form of reciprocal herkogamy, in which floral morphs present reciprocal differences in the position of sexual elements, and occurs in monomorphic and dimorphic forms. This polymorphism maximises cross-pollination and reduces self-pollination, being very common within the subtribe Cassiinae (Fabaceae). Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the functionality of enantiostyly, particularly in this plant group. The present study aimed to investigate enantiostyly and its functionality in Chamaecrista ramosa, a monomorphic enantiostylous shrub, in an area of coastal vegetation in northeast Brazil. Pollen deposition and capture on the body of floral visitors, the relationship of these data with floral biology and breeding system, and morph ratio were evaluated. Pollen deposition and capture occurred in specific sites of the floral visitor body, showing the functionality of enantiostyly. The floral architecture, associated with the floral visitor behaviour, resulted in indirect pollen deposition on the floral visitor body. This occurred through a loop made by the pollen upon the inner petal surface, similar that generally reported for other Cassiinae. Chamaecrista ramosa is self-compatible, although no fruit set was observed through spontaneous self-pollination. The occurrence and number of floral morphs was similar within clumps. Enantiostyly seems to be advantageous for this species, as it results in efficient pollen capture and deposition, reduces the chances of autogamy and maximises intermorph pollen flow.

The results indicate the occurrence of an atypical enantiostyly in C. flexuosa. This seems to improve reproductive success by increasing the efficiency of pollen deposition and capture.

-(Reproductive biology of catingueira (Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae), an endemic species of Caatinga). The Leguminosae comprises 293 species in the Caatinga, and only eight were studied for pollination and, or breeding system. We analysed the floral biology, pollinators and breeding system of Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. The pollen tube growth was observed eight, 24 and 48 hours after hand pollinations. There were 5.7 ± 0.9 ovules/flower, 66.9 ± 47.8 flowers and 2.1 ± 1.2 fruits per inflorescence and 2.88 ± 1.44 seeds/fruit. Nectar production was about 1.0 µL during the first day of anthesis, 0.5 µL in the second day, and there was no production in the third day. C. pyramidalis is self-incompatible but self-pollen tubes grew down to the embryo sac. Species of Xylocopa and Centris are important pollinators of C. pyramidalis. During the visits, the bees promote mostly geitonogamy which favours the loss of fruits, and generates a low fruit/flower ratio (0.03). However, high seed/ovule ratio (0.50) shows highest investment in seeds by cross-pollination, reducing the effects of geitonogamy.Key words -Caatinga, Centris, late-acting self-incompatibility, preemergent reproductive success, Xylocopa RESUMO -(Biologia reprodutiva da "catingueira" (Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae), uma espécie endêmica da Caatinga). Leguminosae está representada na Caatinga por 293 espécies, das quais oito foram estudadas quanto à polinização e/ou sistema reprodutivo. Foram analisados a biologia floral, os polinizadores e o sistema reprodutivo de Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. Houve produção de 5,7 ± 0,9 óvulos/flor, 66,9 ± 47,8 flores e 2,1 ± 1,2 frutos por inflorescência e 2,88 ± 1,44 sementes/fruto. O volume de néctar foi cerca de 1,0 µL durante o primeiro dia da flor, 0,5 µL no segundo dia, não havendo produção no terceiro dia. C. pyramidalis é auto-incompatível, com tubos polínicos oriundos de autopolinização manual crescendo até o saco embrionário. Espécies de Xylocopa e Centris constituem importantes polinizadores de C. pyramidalis. Durante as visitas, as abelhas promovem principalmente geitonogamia, a qual favorece a perda de frutos e leva à baixa razão fruto/flor (0,03). Entretanto, a razão semente/óvulo relativamente elevada (0,50), demonstra maior investimento em sementes provenientes de polinizações cruzadas, reduzindo os efeitos da geitonogamia.Palavras-chave -auto-incompatibilidade de ação tardia, Caatinga, Centris, sucesso reprodutivo pré-emergente, Xylocopa

Phenology and reproductive biology of cultivated species are important for the comprehension of the requirements for fruit and seed production and the management of pollinators. This study aimed to characterise the phenology, reproductive biology and growing degree days of the grapevine 'Isabel' (Vitis labrusca) in northeastern Brazil during January 2011 (P1), Augst 2011 (P2), April 2012 (P3) and August 2012 (P4). We recorded the duration (days) of the phenological stages, pruning (P), woolly bud (W), budburst (B), inflorescence development (ID), flowering (F), ripening (R) and harvest (H). We analysed the floral biology, the sexual system and the breeding system. We measured the growing degree days (GDD) required to reach the subperiods P-B, B-F and F-H. The periods P1, P2, P3 and P4 lasted for 116, 125, 117 and 130 days, respectively. The number of days of harvest were similar in the same dry (P1 and P3) and rainy (P2 and P4) periods. All the periods that we recorded were shorter than those observed in other regions of Brazil, which may be attributable to the mean temperature and carbohydrate metabolism. The flowers are green, hermaphroditic, with an odour of mignonette, low pollen viability and autogamous. The base temperature of 10°C was considered the most adequate for the subperiods as has been documented for other grape varieties in Brazil. Thus, temperature was also the most adequate for the cycles, presenting a smaller standard deviation (0.119, 0.147, 0.156 and 0.153 to P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively) when compared to a base temperature of 12°C (0.122, 0.158, 0.165 and 0.160 to P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively). The higher and the lower observed GDD were 1972.17 and 1870.05, respectively, both above the values recorded in other parts of Brazil for same variety. The phonological results, including knowledge of growing degree days, are important to the planning of cultures at the study site and in other regions that have similar climatic conditions and make it possible to pre-determine the harvest.Keywords: breeding system, heat unit, grape, phenology, GDD. Fenologia, biologia reprodutiva e graus-dias da videira "Isabel" (Vitis labrusca, Vitaceae) cultivada no nordeste do Brasil ResumoFenologia e biologia reprodutiva de espécies cultivadas são importantes para a compreensão dos requerimentos para a produção de frutos e sementes, bem como para o manejo de polinizadores. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a fenologia, a biologia reprodutiva e a exigência térmica (graus-dias) da videira "Isabel" (Vitis labrusca) no nordeste do Brasil, durante janeiro/2011 (P1), Agosto/2011 (P2), Abril/2012 (P3) e Agosto/2012 (P4). Analisamos a duração (dias) dos estádios fenológicos poda (PO), gema-algodão (GA), brotamento (BR), aparecimento da inflorescência (AI), florescimento (FL), início da maturação (IM) e colheita (CO). Analisamos a biologia floral, o sistema sexual e o sistema reprodutivo. As exigências térmicas foram obtidas em termos de graus-dia (GD) necessários para atingir os subperíodos PO-BR, BR-...

No abstract