Desiccation tolerance of four seedlots from Euterpe edulis Mart.

In order to identify the desiccation tolerance of E. edulis seeds, four fruitlots were collected from the Campinas Agronomic Institute Palmae collection, located at Ubatuba, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and taken in moisture-proof containers to the College of Agriculture in Botucatu, state of Sao Paulo. There, the fruits were shelled and the seeds were dried, either under silica gel conditions or in a drying chamber. The effects of dehydration were evaluated by measurements of the germination, embryo protrusion, germinative button, plumule, speed of emergence, seedling length, seed dry matter and water content. Differences among seedlots and between harvest season for most of the traits were observed. Euterpe edulis seedlots seem to tolerate water content reductions until 39% without significant reduction in germination and vigor. Below this value, most of the evaluated traits were negatively affected. Total loss of germination was observed whenever seed water content was reduced to values below 21%.

Differential seed germination of a keystone palm (Euterpe edulis) dispersed by avian frugivores

The effectiveness of seed dispersal by vertebrates has been analysed by examining both quantitative and qualitative components (Jordano & Schupp 2000, Schupp et al. 2010). While the quantitative component is relatively easily assessed in the field (e.g. visitation rate, number of fruits eaten per visit), the qualitative component (e.g. fate of dispersed seeds, seed treatment in the digestive system of the disperser) is rarely studied under natural conditions, because it is difficult to measure the effects on seeds once ingested by the dispersers (Cortes et al. 2009). © Cambridge University Press 2012.

Growth of euterpe oleracea seedlings under different color nets and light conditions

Euterpe oleracea, a native palm to the Amazon, has recognized trading importance because of its fruits and heart of palm. However, it still requires general information on its propagation and cultivation. As light is essential for plant growth, this work aimed to study the effect of different color nets and light conditions on the initial growth of E. oleracea, with the objective to obtain high quality seedlings. The experiment was conducted in Jaboticabal County, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was entirely randomized, with six treatments (six light conditions: red net with 50% of shading - red Chromatinet®; blue net with 50% of shading - blue Chromatinet®; black nets with 70, 50 or 30% of shading; and full sun) and six replications (six evaluation periods: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after the beginning of the experiment). Each plot consisted of four pots with one plant per pot, resulting in 144 plants. Seedling growth was monthly evaluated by collecting four plants per replication until the end of the experiment. Shoot length, root length, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area and root and shoot dry matter were evaluated. The best quality seedlings of E. oleracea were obtained when they were cultivated under the black net with 50% of shading.

Chemical control of pilea microphylla in euterpe oleraceae nurseries with oxyfluorfen

The açai palm is a Brazilian native species and economically important, grown for the hearts of palm and fruit extraction, as well as the seedling production for ornamental purposes. The weed control is one of the concerns observed in seedling production, which has the artillery plant (Pilea microphylla) with the major and widespread occurrence. Thus, the aim of this trial was to evaluate the selectivity and efficacy of oxyfluorfen in artillery plant control in açai (Euterpe oleracea) seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized. The treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme, using 2 types of herbicide application: broadcast spraying (sprayed over total area) and spot spraying (directed to the target) and 3 oxyfluorfen dosages (0, 72 and 144 g of active ingredient ha-1) with four replications. Each experimental unit consisted by one açai palm pot infested by artillery plant. They ere visually evaluated for seedling toxicity and the weed control percentage, at 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after application (DAA). There was 100% control of artillery plant from 15 to 60 DAA for the two tested dosages, regardless of application type. However, 100% control was observed at 7 days, using 1.5 L ha-1 in the spot type. The effects of phytotoxicity from 30 to 60 days was moderate, regardless the application method or dosage.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) feeding attenuates dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colon carcinogenesis

This study investigated the protective effect of spray-dried açaí powder (AP) intake on colon carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in male Wistar rats. After 4. weeks of DMH administrations, the groups were fed with standard diet, a diet containing 2.5% or 5.0% AP or a diet containing 0.2% N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 10. weeks, using aberrant crypt foci (ACF) as the endpoint. Additionally, two groups were fed with standard diet or a diet containing 5.0% AP for 20. weeks, using colon tumors as the endpoint. In ACF assay, a reduction in the number of aberrant crypts (ACs) and ACF (1-3 AC) were observed in the groups fed with 5.0% AP (37% AC and 47% ACF inhibition, p=. 0.036) and 0.2% NAC (39% AC and 41% ACF inhibition, p=. 0.042). In tumor assay, a reduction in the number of invasive tumors (p<. 0.005) and tumor multiplicity (p=. 0.001) was observed in the group fed with 5.0% AP. Also, a reduction in tumor Ki-67 cell proliferation (p=. 0.003) and net growth index (p=. 0.001) was observed in the group fed with 5.0% AP. Therefore the findings of this study indicate that AP feeding may reduce the development of chemically-induced rat colon carcinogenesis. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Can overharvesting of a non-timber-forest-product change the regeneration dynamics of a tropical rainforest? The case study of Euterpe edulis

The exploitation of non-timber forest products is often considered a low-impact activity in tropical forests. However, assessments of the impacts of such activity are mostly focused on the harvested species and not on the plant community, thus limiting our understanding for establishing forest management recommendations. We investigated the consequences of Euterpe edulis palm heart harvesting on the seed rain in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. We compared the density of E. edulis individuals, as well as the density of E. edulis seeds, and the density, richness and functional composition of seed rain of the whole plant community, before and after palm heart harvesting in a 10 ha permanent plot. This assessment was carried out in preserved (typical old-growth Atlantic rainforest) and in disturbed (more open habitat dominated by the native bamboo Guadua tagoara) forest patches. Palm harvesting reduced the E. edulis population from 202.16 to 25.67 ind/ha and its seed rain density from 0.362 to 0.3 seeds/m2 and from 2.395 to 0.15 seeds/m2 in preserved and disturbed forest patches, respectively. Seed density of light-dependent climbers, pioneer trees, bamboo and animal-dispersed seeds increased after palm harvesting, especially in the disturbed forest patches, where palm harvesting was more intense and may have changed the light regime of the understory. On the other hand, species richness of the plant community declined by half. We observed a remarkable decline in the number of animal-dispersed species, especially for those with large seeds, suggesting that the activity of seed dispersers, including many species attracted by E. edulis fruits, was reduced. Therefore, harvesting of E. edulis palm heart may change the regeneration dynamics of the Atlantic rainforest, both due to shifts in forest structure, mediated by the removal of individuals from the forest canopy, and in community functioning, mediated by the interference on the activity of seed dispersers. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A ressonância magnética no estudo da desintegração de comprimidos marcados com açaí (Euterpe oleracea)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Variação espacial nas interações entre o palmito Euterpe edulis e as aves frugívoras: implicações para a dispersão de sementes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Respostas fisiológicas e morfológicas de sementes de palmito juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) à luz, temperatura, desidratação e aplicação de giberelinas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Limitações bióticas afetando o recrutamento da palmeira Euterpe edulis em uma ilha continental da Mata Atlântica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Variação espaço-temporal na fenologia e frugivoria do palmito juçara Euterpe edulis Martius (Arecaceae) em três tipos de floresta atlântica

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Enriquecimento com Campomanesia phaea (Berg.) Landr. e Euterpe edulis Martius em fragmentos de floresta ombrófila densa em estádio secundário

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação do armazenamento de plântulas como alternativa na propagação de palmiteiro Euterpe edulis Martius

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fenologia reprodutiva da palmito Euterpe edulis (Arecaceae) e sua influência na abundância de aves frugívoras na floresta Atlântica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)