Abstract
Fruit ripening is the stage that most demands water. Here we report the negative influence of a shortage of water on the ripening of Miconia calvescens (Myrtales, Melastomataceae) fruits. In 2014 rainfall levels in Ilha Grande, municipality of Angra dos Reis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were low in comparison with the historical means (2003-2013), leading to dry-season conditions during the peak of the wet season. The low rainfall levels may have caused the abortion of the first unripe fruit crop. Fruit development and ripening started again by the increase of the rainfall levels. The results indicate that water stress is a limiting factor for fruit ripening in this species, given that its fruits have high water content.
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