Berberis microphylla: A species with Phenotypic Plasticity in Different Climatic Conditions

S RADICE; M ALONSO; M ARENA

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY

FRIENDS SCIENCE PUBL

Lugar: Faisalabad; Año: 2018 vol. 20 p. 2221 - 2229

1560-8530

Berberis microphylla G. Forst., is a Patagonian native shrub commonly named ?calafate? that produce small fruits with high content of carbohydrates, phenols and antioxidants. The objective of this work is to characterize the vegetative and reproductive cycle of Berberis microphylla G. Forst. cultivated on Moreno (Buenos Aires province), Argentina in comparison with the results obtained in Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) which is its place of origin. Vegetative growth was very different in the two localities. Moreno plants grew with branches more lax than Ushuaia plant. In effect, length of the shoots was significantly higher for Moreno plants than Ushuaia plants. Flowering period in Ushuaia plants was concentrated in November while in Moreno it happens before and in a longer period. Pollen grains collected from Moreno flowers had a diameter of 60 µm, significantly different to pollen grain from Ushuaia (57.11 µm). Nevertheless, pollen grain vitality was significant superior in Ushuaia flowers (75%) respect to Moreno flowers (52%). On the other hand, fruit harvested in Moreno was at 60 days from full bloom while in Ushuaia plants at 120 days. Although the size and compounds measured in the fruits of Moreno were lower than those of Ushuaia, results obtained indicate that Berberis microphylla grown on Moreno is an interesting option to obtain another nutraceutical fruit near the centers of mass consumption.