Biochemical and morphophysiological strategies of Myracrodruon

In view of the ecological, social, and economic importance of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemao, the objective of this study was to investigate the strategies of this species under drought during its initial phase of development. Two-month-old plants were cultivated under continuous irrigation or no irrigation for 20 d. After this period, the water-stressed plants were rehydrated for 20 d. Physiological, biochemical, and anatomical variables were evaluated on 20th and 40th day. Water deficit (25 and 85 % leaf relative content) caused senescence followed by leaf abscission. Growth in height was negatively affected by water deficit (37 % reduction). A decrease in the thickness of the mesophyll was accompanied by a decrease of the total chlorophyll content. Water deficit affected saccharide metabolism and altered cellular component dynamics. Enzyme activities were higher during the rehydration period than during the water stress. There was no increase in lipid peroxidation in plants subjected to water deficit. A reduction in the stomatal opening during water stress was a strategy of reducing water loss through transpiration.