Fruit Morphology and Productivity of Babassu Palms in Northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil1

Abstract

-The objectives of this study were to morphologically characterize fruits of the babassu palm tree (Attalea vitrivir) and to estimate their productivity in the north of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Twenty mature fruits were collected from 10 plants in three different areas in Januária, Minas Gerais. Eighteen biometric parameters of the fruits were measured, the oil contents of the seeds was determined, the adherence to normal distribution was evaluated, distribution frequencies were evaluated and the effects of individuals and areas on the variables and the correlations between them were analyzed. The production of fruit bunches per plant and the number of fruits per bunch from 10 plants were quantified in three areas and the potential production under both natural harvesting and cultivation conditions were estimated. Significant differences were found among all of the biometric parameters examined between the different individuals and the different areas, which shows wide morphological variability in the fruits. The average oil content was 45.7%, but with significant differences among individuals. The observed variability favors the selection of productive individuals in genetic improvement programs. The potential productivity of endocarps and oil based on a density of 400/plants per hectare would be respectively 6.4 and 1.2 tons/ha, which indicates the possibility of using A. vitrivir for producing charcoal, bio fuels, and for carbon fixation.Keywords: Attalea vitrivir; Fruit biometry; Oil content. MORFOLOGIA DOS FRUTOS E PRODUTIVIDADE DE BABAÇU NO NORTE DE MINAS GERAIS, BRASILRESUMO -Os objetivos deste trabalho foram caracterizar morfologicamente os frutos de babaçu e estimar a sua produtividade (Attalea vitrivir) no Norte de Minas Gerais. Foram coletados 20 frutos maduros de 10 plantas em três áreas, no Município de Januária, MG. Mensuraram-se 18 parâmetros biométricos dos frutos, determinou-se o teor de óleo das sementes e avaliaram-se a aderência à distribuição normal, a distribuição de frequência e a correlação entre as variáveis e o efeito do indivíduo e da área. Quantificou-se a produção de cachos por planta e de frutos por cacho em 10 plantas, nas três áreas, e estimou-se a produtividade potencial em condição de extrativismo e de cultivo. Em todas as variáveis biométricas estudadas, houve diferença significativa entre os indivíduos e áreas, evidenciando-se grande variabilidade na morfologia dos frutos. O teor médio de óleo foi de 45,7%, com diferença significativa entre os indivíduos. A grande variabilidade encontrada favorece, em programas de melhoramento, a seleção de indivíduos mais produtivos. A produtividade potencial de endocarpo e óleo em densidade de 400 plantas/ha é de 6,4 e 1,2 t/ha, respectivamente, o que amplia a possibilidade de uso de A. vitrivir na produção de carvão, na indústria de biocombustíveis e na fixação de carbono.Palavras-chave: Attalea vitrivir; Biometria de frutos; Teor de óleo.

Do fruit morphology and scarification affect germination and predation rates of Babassu seeds?

“…The present study, however, revealed no ovipositing preference by P. cardo in relation to fruit size (length and width), so that fruit predation was highest in the most abundant size classes. Additionally, the wide variation observed in the number of seeds per fruit (corroborating the findings of Guedes et al (2015)) who reported that the number of seeds per fruit in A. vitrivir was not normally distributed) maybe responsible for the lack of any observable preference for ovipositing on a specific fruit class size by P. cardo, since even large fruits can contain variable numbers of seeds.…”

“…The fruits of A. vitrivir are elliptic, more or less cylindrical and weigh between 45 and 287 g. They possess a fibrous epicarp, a farinaceous mesocarp (0.57 to 3.25 mm thick), and a hard endocarp, and hold from two to nine seeds that are from 1.4 to 5.8 cm long and from 0.74 to 2.20 cm wide (Guedes et al 2015). Fruits are considered mature when they take on a brownish color and can be easily removed from bunches.…”

“…After the three-month period, the 150 fruits were gathered and take to the Conservation Genetics Laboratory (LabGene) of the Unimontes University in Montes Claros where they were opened by way of a transversal incision using an electrical circular saw fitted with a diamond composite blade(due to the extremely rigid endocarp) (Guedes et al 2015). The occurrence of seed predation in the fruit was defined as the presence of larvae, pupae, and/ or adult insects in the cavity of the endocarp where the seeds are located, or by the presence of exit orifices made by adult insects.…”

Seed Storage Indicates the High Stability of Babaçu Oil (Attalea vitrivir Zona)

“…), with lipidic contents generally above 60% (Machado et al, 2006;Soler et al, 2007;Gioielli, 1996;Cadernos NAE, 2005). The value found here was, however, greater than that reported by Guedes et al (2015), who encountered a mean oil content of 45.7% in Attalea vitrivir seeds from the same general region as the present work, although they used a different extraction technique. Lipidic values near those reported here were encountered in macaúba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) seeds (54%) (Hiane et al, 2005), and higher than the values found for three populations of Acrocomia emensis, with a mean of 13.45% (Neiva et al, 2018).…”

“…Another advantage of this situation resides in the ease of storage and transport of the seeds, as they will not require complex or costly storage conditions as compared to extracted oil. The storage of A. vitrivir seeds for agroindustrial uses requires only the simplest conditions and will thus complement the exceptional agricultural/commercial potential of the species (Silva et al, 2009;Guedes et al, 2015). In situations where more sophisticated applications of the oil might demand greater levels of conservation, refrigeration will provide numerous benefits, as is usual in seed storage (Delouche, 1968;Ordóñez, 2005).…”