M. ilicifoliahas antiulcerogenic and antigastric properties and a large pharmacological and cosmetic use not yet explored in a rational way. The development of plants submitted to various light and pruning managements was evaluated during a year. Two experiments were carried out, one in a shaded area under native species and another in a full sun light area. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replicates and 2 plants in each experimental unit. Three pruning levels were used, plants without elimination of leaves/prune; plants with elimination of 30% of the leaves and branches; plants pruned at 20 cm above the soil. The treatments were evaluated during four periods (0; 100; 211; 331 days after pruning (DAP)). In the full sunshine area, plants submitted to the drastic prune did not develop leaves until 331 DAP. Under this light intensity the number of leaves per branch was different for each pruning level (varying from 11.2 to 15.7 without prune; and from 8.7 to 11.7 with 30% of prune), but kept constant during all evaluation periods. In the area under shade, plants submitted to drastic prune showed higher number of leaves per brunch (25.0 and 29.8 with 100 and 211 DAP, respectively) and the higher leaf area (18.0; 13.9 and 15.5 cm² with 100, 211 and 331 DAP). The shading proved to be a better condition for the development of plants and for biomass production than the full sunlight condition. This is a very important factor to be considered to establish the growth and to define the management strategies to produce holy thorn plants. The maximum daily temperatures were reduced until 2.9ºC in the shaded area in comparison to the full sunlight area. The relative air humidity varied between 63,3 and 79,4% under both conditions.
Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek; growth analysis; microclimate; management
