Morphology and biometry of racemes, fruits and seeds of Attalea bassleriana in Alto Amazonas, Peru

Rodríguez-Cabrera E.H.; Mónica Moraes R.; Rojas-Fox J.; Grández C.; Mejía K.; Rodríguez del Castillo Á.M. · Biota Colombiana (2023) · DOI: 10.21068/2539200x.1107

Resumen

We evaluated the morphology and biometrics of racemes, fruits, and seeds of Attalea bassleriana in the localities of Paraiso, Libertad de Cuiparillo and Santa Lucia in the Alto Amazonas Province, Peru, to understand its interpopulational variability and contribute to the taxonomic clarification of the species. Additionally, we described the environment where the palm grows. To do so, we used 70 descriptors (38 biometric and 32 morphological), which were compared with ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis, correlated through Spearman, and graphically visualized by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A data sheet for field samples was used for the description of the environment. In total, 23 biometric descriptors presented significant differences (p < 0.05). The highest correlations were fruit number/raceme weight (0.921) and fruit weight/fruit diameter (0.844). The PCA demonstrates the variability of fruits between populations and denotes Paradise as the least variable and the most differentiated. Likewise, we observed that the species is found in terrace forests, swampy forests, agricultural and livestock lands, between 145-159 m.a.s.l. The data evidence the taxonomic identification of shebon and constitute a reference for both the proper utilization of fruits and seeds and their application to genetic improvement.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana