Abstract
Bauhinia variegata and B. variegata var. candida, commonly known as orchid trees, are small sized trees widely used for urban forestry and landscaping. Adult plants grow under full sun; in Brazil, however, seedlings are generally cultivated in commercial nurseries under natural half-shading. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different colored shade nets and light conditions on the initial growth of B. variegata and B. variegata var. candida. The influence of six light conditions (red net with 50% shading; blue net with 50% shading; black net with 70% shading; black net with 50% shading; black net with 30% shading; and full sun) on the initial growth of B. variegata and B. variegata var. candida were evaluated along 160 days, and growth relationships were calculated. Seedlings showed more efficiency on the use of photoassimilated compounds when grown under full sun. Such condition is the most appropriate for seedling production of B. variegata and B. variegata var. candida, contradicting what has been performed in practice.
Highlights
Bauhinia variegata L., belonging to the family Fabaceae and native to South China (MAK et al, 2008), is a small sized tree widely used for urban forestry and landscaping
As studies on the light or shading influence on Bauhinia variegata and B. variegata var. candida growth were not found, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different colored nets and light conditions on the initial growth of those species
Mature brown seed pods, closed or partially open, were harvested in September 2010 from 20 year old B. variegata and B. variegata var. candida trees cultivated at the College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences of the State University of São Paulo (FCAV/ UNESP), located in the municipality of Jaboticabal, Brazil (21°15’22" S and 48°18’58" W, at 590 m altitude)
Summary
Bauhinia variegata L., belonging to the family Fabaceae and native to South China (MAK et al, 2008), is a small sized tree widely used for urban forestry and landscaping. According to Aguiar and Figliolia (1996), it is probably the most used Bauhinia species for ornamental purposes It is a fast growing plant (MATHUR; MUKUNTHAKUMAR, 1992), reaching around 8 m height and 8 m crown diameter, that flowers mainly from December to April (LAU et al, 2005), producing pink flowers of different tones (GLOBAL..., 2003). Candida (Aiton) Voigt is a small sized tree, reaching around 6 m height, that flowers mainly from June to December (RORIZ, 2000) and produces white flowers (MAK et al, 2008) Both are commonly known as orchid trees and usually grow under full sun (RORIZ, 2000; GLOBAL..., 2003). According to the species and its habitat, a certain light amount can either limit or optimize its development (MELEIRO; GRAZIANO, 2007)
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