Physiological responses of Triplaris gardneriana Wedd. seedlings (Polygonaceae) under intermittent drought

Triplaris gardneriana Wedd is a deciduous riparian tree occurring in areas with different climatic conditions Brazil, from the rainforest to tropical dry forest. An increase global temperature and drought events can change growth pattern establishment of species. To evaluate effects intermittent on T. seedlings, an experiment was performed using seedlings one month old subjected three water treatments (daily irrigation as control, through cycles suppression seven (S7) 14 days-intervals (S14) between watering. Growth, biomass production partitioning, relative content (RWC), accumulation organic solutes, protoplasmic integrity phenotypic plasticity index (PPI) were evaluated for better understanding about its tolerance level. Intermittent severely affected plants S14 plants, showing lower plant height, number leaves, leaf area, biomass. RWC reduced, while carbohydrates proline contents increased response stress. Protoplasmic damage electrolyte leakage severe However, garderiana demonstrated moderate deficit. The plastic changes observed more physiological than morphological. Therefore, seems be moderately tolerant species drought.