Efeito do fogo na produção de frutos de Qualea parviflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae) em cerrado sensu stricto

Abstract

-Among the many effects caused by fires on native species of the Cerrado, the change in fruit production has been highlighted, since it results directly in the maintenance of local populations. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a prescribed burning on fruit set of Qualea parviflora Mart. in a cerrado sensu stricto area in Brasília-DF. Two areas of cerrado were studied, one submitted to biennial prescribed burnings in August (burned) and one fire protected for 14 years (control). In each area, 10 reproductive individuals were selected and their production of flower buds, flowers and fruits was monitored for 22 months. Two months after the prescribed fire on August 26, 2008, the production of reproductive structures was higher in the burned than in the control area. However, the proportion of flower buds that develop flowers and fruits (fruit set) was the same in both areas. One year after the fire, there was no inflorescence production in the burned area. However, in the control area the yield was higher than in the previous period. The absence of flower production in individuals of the burned area one year after the fire suggest that Q. parviflora may need more than a year to return to a normal cycle of reproduction, indicating that medium and long term effects of fire should be considered when using fire as a management tool to reduce fuel in areas of Cerrado.

The role of root buds in the regeneration of Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae) in the cerrado, São Carlos, São Paulo state, Brazil

“…However, studies showed that fire events tend to increase the importance of vegetative reproduction in comparison to sexual reproduction (Hoffmann 1998, Silva et al 2009). Palermo & Miranda (2012) observed that no flowers were produced by Qualea parviflora Mart. plants in the burned area, one year after a fire event, suggesting that this species may require more than a year to return to the normal reproductive cycle.…”

Fire‐induced damage to Qualea multiflora Mart. seeds depends on fruit protection and the position in the tree crown

“…Mart. and by Palermo () for Q. parviflora . The reduction in fruit loss for those located between 1 and 2 m and between 2 and 3 m suggests a possible effect of a longer period of high temperatures.…”

“…Reduced or absent production of reproductive structures in the first year after fires has also been reported for Qualea parviflora Mart. (Palermo & Miranda ), Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Felfili et al .…”

“…This damage may interrupt sap flow to the fruits, resulting in desiccation and subsequent fruit opening (Bradstock & Myerscough ). Although there is no evidence that fruit opening depends on fire for the Cerrado vegetation, fire‐induced fruit opening has been reported for species of the herbaceous (Coutinho ) and woody vegetation (Cirne & Miranda ; Palermo ). Damage to the pedicel may also cause fruits to fall, mostly for fruits on the lower branches.…”

“…For instance, if a large part of its crown is damaged, a tree may not flower in the year after a fire (Felfili et al . ; Palermo & Miranda ; Françoso et al . ).…”