Seed reserves partition and light compensation point of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) seedlings growth under low photosynthetic active radiation

The aim of this study was to verify the dry mass partition of the seed reserves during the initial growth of Swietenia macrophylla seedlings, in the dark, and at low levels of photosynthetically active radiation: 0.125; 3.12 and 52 µ mol.m-2.s-1. After 50 days, the dry mass of the seed reserves did not differ with treatments, but the total dry mass and leaf area were higher in the seedlings under higher light treatment. No difference in root/shoot ratio was observed between treatments, but the leaf area ratio was lower at higher light. Only the seedlings grown at 52 µ mol.m-2.s-1 showed a positive dry mass increase in relation to the mobilized seed reserves. With the values of the net increase of the seedling mass, a linear equation was adjusted in relation to the light levels, permitting to determine 3.76 µ mol.m-2.s-1 as the seedling light compensation point. These results explain the shade tolerance of the S. macrophylla seedlings