Resumen

VALERO, José; BENEZRA, Miguel; CHONG, Luis  y  GUENNI, Orlando. Phenological performance and fruit production of some tree species of a deciduous tropical forest at “Las Peñitas” rural development, south of Aragua state. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2006, vol.24, n.1, pp.85-93. ISSN 0798-7269.

With the aim to identify botanically and to characterize the phenological performance of some tree species of a deciduous tropical forest, and to measure the fruit production in four legume species, there were made monthly observations and collection of samples for its identification during a whole year. There were found 32 species. The Leuminoseae family was predominant (37%) and the rest of the species were distributed in 14 families. Only four perennial leaves species were found (Talissia olivaeformis, Acacia articulata, Caparis fexuosa and Lecythys ollaria) with flowering period from December to August. There were 12 species with the flowering period during the rainy season. Six species had leaves during 6 months or more and 6 species were without leaves for less than 6 months. Also, it was found 9 species flowering during the dry season. The specie Acacia macrocanta had the highest fruit production (11.8 kg/plant). The deciduous forest has an important production of fruits that could be eaten by the ruminants during different seasons.

Palabras clave : Tropical deciduous forest; phenology; fruit production; ruminants.