-->PONE-D-25-68233-->-->Synchronized by photoperiod, not rain: Shedding light on flowering seasonality in Acrocomia  species (Arecaceae)-->-->PLOS One

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Reviewer Report – PONE-D-25-68233: Synchronized by photoperiod, not rain: Shedding light on flowering seasonality in Acrocomia species (Arecaceae)

This manuscript presents a well-designed and methodologically robust analysis of flowering phenology in Acrocomia accessions cultivated under common garden conditions. The application of circular statistics combined with seasonal decomposition and moving-window correlations is appropriate and innovative for phenological research. The study addresses an important gap regarding environmental drivers of flowering in a genus with increasing relevance for sustainable oilseed production.

The results convincingly show strong seasonality and consistent synchronization across accessions and years, with photoperiod emerging as the predominant environmental correlate. The manuscript is generally well written, logically structured, and supported by adequate statistical analyses.However, several points require clarification and moderate revision before the manuscript is suitable for publication.

The manuscript presents a valuable and methodologically sound contribution to tropical phenology and crop domestication research. The main findings are clear and relevant. I recommend minor to moderate revision to address the interpretative and framing issues. Once revised, this study will provide meaningful insight into environmental regulation of flowering in Acrocomia and its implications for breeding and cultivation strategies.

Major Comments

• The title and short title present a strong dichotomy. However, the Results and Discussion acknowledge statistically significant correlations with precipitation and SPEI at specific lag periods (lines 426–433; 456–460). While photoperiod clearly appears dominant, precipitation effects, although weaker and less consistent, are not entirely absent. Consider moderating the framing to reflect that flowering is primarily regulated by photoperiod but potentially fine-tuned by episodic climatic variation. This would better align the title with the presented evidence.

• The manuscript suggests that rainfall or drought anomalies two years prior “influence” reproductive development (lines 426–433). However, moving-window correlations cannot establish causality. Please clarify that these findings represent statistical associations rather than demonstrated causal mechanisms. The Discussion would benefit from a short paragraph outlining known timelines of inflorescence initiation and development in palms to support (or cautiously contextualize) the proposed biological interpretation.

• The abstract highlights variation among accessions, yet the Discussion emphasizes low inter-annual variation and strong synchrony (lines 441–443). The manuscript would benefit from clearer interpretation of genotype effects. Clarify whether statistical differences among accessions were significant and biologically meaningful. Briefly discuss implications for genotype x environment interactions and breeding strategies, Especially regarding transferability across latitudes.

• The term “climate remainder” is used in the Results and Discussion (lines 423–424; 435–437), but its biological interpretation is not sufficiently explained. Expand the Methods section to clearly define how the remainder was calculated (ex. residuals after seasonal decomposition) and explain its ecological relevance in the context of phenological triggers.

• Statements such as “photoperiod is the dominant driver” (lines 440–443) should be qualified to indicate that conclusions are based on conditions in Araponga and the studied seasons.

• Although defined in the Methods, expressions such as “2HJan2017” may be difficult for readers. Consider adding calendar equivalents (ex., “late January 2017”) at first mention in the Results.

• A brief paragraph acknowledging limitations would strengthen the manuscript. For example: (1) Single experimental site, (2) just three flowering seasons and, (3) correlational analytical framework

• The Discussion would benefit from deeper integration of palm developmental biology (ex. timing of inflorescence differentiation relative to environmental cues).

Reviewer #2: This is a nice contribution, based on an unusually long study period and well-supported statistically.

I just note that, except for an accession of Acrocomia intumescens from northeastern Brazil, all studied accessions originate from around 14° south latitude or farther south. Thus, at least for the widely distributed Acrocomia aculeata, the reach of the results should be restricted to palms from those latitudes. How would an accession from Mexico, Cuba or equatorial Colombia “behave” at Araponga? We do not know. The statement (lines 486-488) that “Acrocomia exhibits high regional synchrony of flowering during periods of increasing daylength, with a peak around the summer solstice, as reported across the species’ range from southwest and central Brazil, Mexico, to Cuba [33,40,74,75]” is misleading, as none of the cited references includes studies in Mexico or Cuba nor in the norhern limit of the species’ range.

In line with this comment, I suggest adding parallels to the map of Fig. 2, at least the equator and the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This will make evident that most studied accessions come from areas far from the equator, thus helping to frame the reach of the results.

A few minor changes are noted in the table below.

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Reviewer #1: Yes:  JONATHAN A. MORALES-MARROQUIN

Reviewer #2: No

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Submitted filename: Acrocomia aculeata phtoperiod.docx

Synchronized by photoperiod: Shedding light on flowering seasonality in Acrocomia species (Arecaceae)

PONE-D-25-68233R1

Dear Dr. Meyer,

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Branislav T. Šiler, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS One

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