PHENOLOGY AND FRUIT PRODUCTION OF SIRICOTE (Cordia dodecandra A. DC.) PLANTATIONS UNDER THREE KINDS OF MANAGEMENT AT XMATKUIL, YUCATAN, MEXICO

Abstract

Phenology of a species allows us to understand and predict flowering and fructification times useful in the management of deciduous tropical trees. This study was performed in three plantations (P1, P2 and P3) of Cordia dodecandra with different kind of management (P1, pruning, irrigation, weeding; P2, weeding; P3, without management), established in 2002 at Xmatkuil, Yucatan. The evaluation covered the period of September (2011)-August (2012). The phenology was determinated once a month using Fournier method. Production was assessed by harvesting and counting all fruit of all trees from each orchard and fruit quality was weighed and measured the length and width of a sample (n = 20) and obtained the moisture content of the same putting them in a dryer at 60°C. Results showed that P1 presented 100% leaves in September 2011, and during the period November 2011- August 2012. The percentage of leaves decreased to 25% only in the month of October 2011. P2 y P3 lost all their leaves during the period December-March. Regarding flowering, P1 presented flowers in percentage of 25% most of the year except for the months of June and July when the presence of any floral structure was recorded. The peak was observed in March. The other two plantations, P2 and P3, bloomed during the dry season (December to May). P2 presented a peak in February and P3 in March. Fructification in P1 showed in the months of October, November and January but the maximum production was in May, P2 in the months of January to June, showing a peak in March and P3 from February to May with a maximum in the month of May. The highest production and fruit quality was recorded in P1.