Estudos morfológicos e ecológicos em açaí preto (euterpe oleracea mart.) e na etnovariedade açaí branco (arecaceae)

Abstract

The black açaí and white açaí are found in the low and high Amazonian estuary floodplains, where they represent food and economic potential. The research aimed to determine the morphological differences in vegetative characters (radicle, caulicle, leaflets, inflorescences and infructescences); the fruit predation index and the natural regeneration pattern. The studies were carried out on Combu Island, Belém, Pará State, from August 1999 to May 2000. The length of the radicle and caulicle, total height and number of leaflets were measured in 10 seedlings of black açaí and 10 seedlings of white açaí; 7 inflorescences and 8 infructescences were collected and the morphological characters were evaluated with the aid of a magnifying glass, pachymeter and analytical balance; For predation, 300 fruits were allocated to a 25m2 plot to determine the predator agent, predation percentage, and form of predation; the pattern of natural regeneration of black açaí was evaluated for survival and mortality in three 25m2 plots. The results revealed that the black açaí presented higher values in radicle and caulicle; the black açaí spathe was larger in length and width, while the white açaí presented higher quantitative values in relation to the other characters; Predators were larvae of coleoptera, with 75% predation on black acai and 81% on white acai, which perforate and bore the seeds. The pattern of natural regeneration of black acai revealed a survival rate of 96. 6% and 3.4% mortality.