Changes in light intensity, to which a species is adapted, may condition different physiological responses in its biochemical, anatomical and growing features. This paper aims at assessing the initial growth of licuri plants (Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc.) subjected to different light conditions. Five-month-old licuri plants, grown in substrates of soil + organic fertilizer, were used. Plants were kept in 30% and 100% light intensity. Measurements of height, stem diameter, and number of leaves were taken monthly over a 12-month period. At the end of the experiment, dry mass, foliar area and chlorophyll contents were evaluated. Those plants submitted to 30% light intensity showed improvement in height, stem diameter, number of produced leaves, and total dry mass. Proportion of dry mass directed towards the roots was higher as light intensity increased, however, aerial part, differently from the radicular system, decreased. Under 100% light intensity, the plants showed a larger total leaf area, as well as a higher chlorophyll a/b ratio. Specific leaf area was inversely proportional to the light intensity. With the obtained results, it can be inferred that shade favored initial growth of licuri plants.
Syagrus coronata; growth; light intensity
