Environmental factors and their influence on the period and occurrence of vegetative and reproductive phenological events in Hymenaea martiana Hayne

Phenological studies are fundamental for species management and conservation and support research into genetic improvement by providing insights into plant life cycles and their relationship with phenophases and environmental conditions. This study aimed to determine the environmental variables and their influence on the vegetative and reproductive phenological patterns of Hymenaea martiana Hayne. Field observations were carried out in five areas located in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba State, Brazil. Between May 2021 and April 2023, the phenological events of budding, senescence, flower bud, flowering, and fruiting were assessed every 30 days. Statistical analyses were circular to verify the occurrence of the phenophase periods, their concentration, seasonality, and duration, and Spearman correlations were used to test the relationships between meteorological variables during the period and the phenophases. The patterns of budding, senescence, flower bud, and flowering phenophases of H. martiana were seasonal, with an annual periodicity and a continuous fruiting pattern. The average dates of occurrence of the budding phenophase were August (area 2), October (areas 1, 4, and 5), and November (area 3). The average date for senescence was July (area 2) and August (areas 1 and 3–5). The average date for the flower bud phase was November (area 5) and December (areas 1–4). Flowering occurred in January (areas 3 and 4), March (area 2), and December (areas 1 and 5). Rainfall and temperature had a significant impact on the period and occurrence of vegetative and reproductive phenological events in H. martiana. Under highland marsh conditions, H. martiana fruit should be collected in October, November, and December.