Characterization of fruits and seeds of Oenocarpus bataua (Arecaceae, Arecoideae, Euterpeae) from natural populations in the Peruvian Amazon

Rodríguez-Cabrera E.H.; de Sánchez-Márquez M.F.; Huaranca-Acostupa R.J.; Chujutalli-Marín M.C.; Salazar-Vega Á.A.; Vargas-Arana G.; Mejía K.; Moraes M.R.; del-Castillo Á.M.R. · Lilloa (2025) · DOI: 10.30550/j.lil/2102

Resumen

Oenocarpus bataua is a prominent palm tree in South America and the Peruvian Amazon, valued for its oil and its economic importance to local communities. However, its wide distribution, along with genetic and environmental factors generates high variability in fruits and seeds traits, hindering sustainable management. In this study, the fruits and seeds of Oenocarpus bataua in the Peruvian Amazon were morphologically characterized, as well as their habitats, to understand the variability within their natural populations. For this purpose, 15 traits were evaluated and compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. To identify patterns and visualize the data, multivariate hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied. Additionally, their associations was estimated using Spearman’s correlation. A field data sheet was used to describe the environment. The traits showed high variability (< 20%), and all differed significantly different (p < 0.05). Two groups were formed based on fruit diameter and weights of the fruit, exocarp, and mesocarp. The PCA confirmed the variability among populations, with Allpahuayo-Mishana being the least variable and Palestina the most differentiated. The traits with the highest association indices were fruit and seed length and diameter, as well as the weights of the fruit, exocarp, mesocarp, and seed. The species is adapted to different strata of Amazonian forests and the Andean foothills, at elevations ranging from 76 to 1170 m asl. The results highlight the high variability in the fruits and seeds of O. bataua, emphasizing length, diameter, and weight as the most relevant traits. The populations formed two geographic groups: one in the western Amazon and the other in northern Peru. This information provides a basis for developing sustainable management strategies and optimizing the use of this keystone palm tree in tropical ecosystems and local economies.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana