Population structure, fruit production and uses of the palm naidí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Colombian Pacific

Abstract

Non-timber forest products offer multiple benefits to rural communities throughout the tropics. Here we study the population structure, fruit production and uses of the palm naidí (Euterpe oleracea), in the Consejo Comunitario Río Cajambre, Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The structure of the population was evaluated in two sites: one non exploited, and other exploit. In each site, 12 plots of 25 x 20 m (0.05 ha) were made, where all the individuals were counted in their different development classes (seedlings, juveniles, sub-adults and adults). Fruit production was evaluated in 30 adult individuals. Uses were recorded through semi-structured interviews. A normality test, a t Student test, and a correlation and linear regression analysis were performed. A total of 38.741 individuals were recorded with a high density between plots with an average of 1614 ± 881 individuals. The naidí populations evaluated are in good condition since they were found to form the typical inverted ”J”. No statistical differences were found in the abundances of the two sites t=0.73, p=0.46. It was recorded that each naidí palm produces an average of 3±2.23 fruit bunches (n 30), each bunch has an average of 949±641 fruits per bunch (n 30), each fruit bunch has an average weight of 2.5±1.34 kilograms (n 30), and each fruit measures an average of 13±2.37 mm (n 300). A negative relationship was found between the number of fruits produced per bunch and the fruit diameter r2=-0.00; p=0.81, as well as a negative relationship between the number of fruits produced and the number of ramets r2=-0.18; p=0.50, but a small positive relationship was found between the number of fruits and the height r2=0.09; p=0.05, but it is clarified that the most productive palms in terms of fruits are in the height range of 8-16 m. Seven uses were recorded, with food use being the most important. Our results show that naidí populations are in very good natural condition and that fruit production is high, making naidí an economic and conservation strategy for the tropical rainforests of the Colombian Pacific.