Reproductive phenology of Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae) in two forest areas of the Central Amazon

This article presents the phenological study of Carapa guianensis Aubl species from 1974 to 2000, in ADFR and TFES forests stations research in Central Amazon, Brazil. The objective was to analyze and compare the phenological pattern (flowering and fructification) and the influence of the climatic factors. The flowering in the TFES started in a higher precipitation season; meanwhile at ADFR it was irregular. The fruiting in both areas occurred more frequently rainiest season, but in the ADFR the mature fruits were more irregular. The frequency of occurrence was annual from “flower bud” to “immature fruit” phenophases in TFES, but was over-annual only in “mature fruits”. But in ADFR, was annual from “flower bud” to “anthesis” and was over-annual in immature fruit” and “mature fruit”, both with irregular pattern and duration from intermediate to prolonged. The duration of the floral bud phenophase and anthesis was similar in the two areas; however, ‘immature fruits” in the TFES, in general, was higher than in the ADFR. But “mature fruits” were higher in ADFR. The phenophases did not occurred at same time in all trees studied, possibly due the influence of the intraspecific genetic variability in interaction with the environment.