Herbaceous plants from dry forests respond to different levels of light availability over time and space through strategies that promote their establishment and survival. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of the perennial herb Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd., which is pantropically distributed and forms dense populations in the Caatinga, under varying light availabilities. The treatments applied were full sun and 70%, 50%, and 30% light availability, each with 30 replicates. Vegetative, reproductive, and phenological responses were monitored over six months, during which the plant’s reproductive cycle was completed and water availability was higher. In T100, plants showed greater height, diameter, leaf production, flowers, fruits, and seeds. In contrast, reduced light availability led to lower values in these traits but resulted in increased leaf area, seed viability, and higher fruit/flower and seed/fruit ratios as compensatory responses. These findings suggest that higher light availability increases the establishment success of the studied species, although reduced light does not necessarily limit its reproductive success. The study highlights its adaptability to different light conditions and its potential for continued population expansion in dry tropical forests, despite fluctuations in light availability.
Aguiar et al. (Fri,) studied this question.