Abstract
The mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) is cultivated on a large scale in Brazil for economic purposes. Since the leaves, as the main photosynthetic organs, play an essential role in fruit production, the primary objective of the present study was to analyze comparatively the morphologicalcharacteristics of leaves at different stages of expansion and of leaves exposed to different levels of solar radiation. Leaves were collected at the beginning of expansion, during intermediate expansion and when completely expanded, and sun and shade leaves were compared. The individuals were adult plants without flowers and fruits located along the South Lake, Brasília. The leaves were analyzed for area, specific leaf area (SLA), thickness, water content and anatomical traits. Data were analyzed by ANOVA post hoc Tukey test to test the influence of leaf expansion time and by the T-test to determine the effect of radiation (α = 5%). Greater scleromorphy was observed in the completely expanded leaves compared to the leaves at the beginning of expansion, with lower water content and SLA in completely expanded leaves. Higher sclerophyll content was observed in sun leaves than in shade leaves, with lower SLA, greater leaf thickness and greater thickness of adaxial epidermis, palisade parenchyma and mesophyll in sun leaves. Based on these results, greater care is indicated regarding leaf management at the beginning of expansion and the management of shade leaves, since they aremore susceptible to damage from herbivores. The objective of this management is to maximize fruit production.
Highlights
Mangifera indica L. is native to South Asia and is currently cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries (DONADIO; FERREIRA, 2002; FERREIRA et al 2003)
Plant development may be affected (ROSSATTO; KOLB, 2010) because leaves are responsible for carbohydrate production, which in turn will compromise the production of fruits (TAIZ; ZEIGER, 2010)
The difference between sun leaves and shade leaves was the degree of solar radiation to which they were subjected during development: the sun leaves developed under direct sunlight and the shade leaves were those that developed under diffused sunlight
Summary
Mangifera indica L. (mango tree) is native to South Asia and is currently cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries (DONADIO; FERREIRA, 2002; FERREIRA et al 2003). (mango tree) is native to South Asia and is currently cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries (DONADIO; FERREIRA, 2002; FERREIRA et al 2003) This species produces tasty, sweet and fleshy fruits with considerable amounts of vitamins A and C and a lower quantity of vitamins B (CARDELLO; CARDELLO, 1998). It is known that mango trees have a vigorous crown with many leaves which may be subjected to direct or indirect solar radiation, being classified as sun or shade leaves. This radiation can influence leaf morphology and physiology, with a greater leaf size and photosynthetic rate being generally observed in sun leaves in relation to their area (ROSSATTO et al 2010). Plant development may be affected (ROSSATTO; KOLB, 2010) because leaves are responsible for carbohydrate production, which in turn will compromise the production of fruits (TAIZ; ZEIGER, 2010)
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