Avaliação de enriquecimento da caatinga com mudas enxertadas de umbuzeiro (spondias tuberosa arruda cam.) em uma área no semiárido paraibano, Brasil.

Abstract

It has been observed a reduction in the population density of fruit species in semiarid regions, mainly due to the extraction and deforestation, common in areas of Caatinga. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the mortality rates of seedlings of Spondias tuberosa Arruda Cam. (Umbuzeiro) grafted on enrichment plantings in Caatinga area in state of Paraiba West Cariri. The system monitored at the Experimental Area Reserved for Ecology Studies and Dynamics of Caatinga of Ecology and Botany Lab - LAEB / CDSA/UFCG (7°39'38.8'' S and 36°53'42.4'' W; 538 m altitude), in the municipality of Sume, Paraiba. They were implanted 70 seedlings in the approximate spacing of 12x12 m arranged randomly in the plots, taking advantage of clearing areas. The monitoring of umbuzeiro grafted seedlings was performed monthly. Configured as a long-time study, the first step of the monitoring covered the period July 2011 to February 2014 and the second stage, referring to the study, realized from March 2014 to August 2016 and the size of the area 1 ha. Of the remaining 40 individuals in the area in March 2014, 17 died (24.3%) in 2014, three (4.3%) in 2015 and five (7.1%) in 2016. Thus, of the 70 seedlings initially established in 2011, by the end of this study, only two people survived, and total live remaining 15 (21.4%). Therefore, the results generated point to the importance of strengthening research for the definition of S. tuberosa behavior enrichment areas in the Caatinga. The survey data indicate that the planting grafted seedlings, the enrichment perspective of Caatinga, should consider in its assessment, the dry spells that occur in the medium and long term, since these areas occur recurrent drought cycles.