Productivity and morphometric variability of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. fruits along altitudinal gradient in Peru

Quinteros-Gómez Y.; Zarco-González M.; Gómez-Ticerán D.; Camones Gonzalez F.; Monroy-Vilchis O. · Caldasia (2025) · DOI: 10.15446/caldasia.v47.108951

Resumen

Mauritia flexuosa, or "aguaje" is the palm tree with the widest distribution in the Peruvian Amazon, which develops in hydromorphic and swampy spaces known as "aguajales". The fruits of the aguaje palm tree are highly appreciated, registering sociocultural and economic importance, which has caused strong pressure on natural populations. The objectives of this study were to morphometrically characterize the fruits and to estimate their percentage yield in four sampling areas along an altitudinal gradient in the region of San Martin, Peru. 840 fruits from 28 palm trees were studied, considering nine morphometric variables. The unsupervised learning approach was used to reduce the dimensionality of the variables through Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA) and a transformation of the data through the Corrected Fruit Morphometry Index (Imfc). The length (5.7 ± 0.7 cm), width (4.1 ± 0.4 cm), and total weight (56 ± 15.7 g) of the fruits are within the average for the Amazon basin. The Imfc showed that the locality Pachiza has the highest mean and median values, indicating that its fruits are morphometrically superior. The fruiting of M. flexuosa is seasonal through the altitudinal gradient, observing fruits in 13,9 ± 2 % of those of inventoried individuals. The morphometric variability and identification of the best specimens are useful for the conservation and genetic improvement of the species.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos