ENVIRONMENTS WITH NATURAL OCCURRENCE OF Acrocomia aculeata

Abstract

Acrocomia aculeata, a palm tree common in the Brazilian Savannah region, has been increasingly drawing attention for its high fruit yield and several uses, such as food for humans, fodder, and oil source. The objective of this research was to characterize natural A. aculeata environments in the central and southern Goiás State, Brazil. Ten areas, in seven municipalities (Santa Cruz de Goiás, São Miguel do Passa Quatro, São Francisco de Goiás, Paraúna, Jandaia, Indiara, and Jaraguá), were selected. Soil samples made up of ten subsamples were used for chemical and physical characterization of each area, and toposequences were briefly described and classified. Climatic data were obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology through climate normals. Descriptive statistics and correlations among soil fertility variables were calculated. Data showed that A. aculeata occurs in soils with more than 50% of base saturation, considered eutrophic, with medium to high fertility and high potassium levels. Its populations are present in areas with total annual rainfall of 1,300-1,700 mm and corrected annual average air temperature of 21.5-22.5ºC. Areas with a predominance of cambisols and neosols, with medium texture and in the convex slope, talus, and concave slope of the landscape presented higher plant density.