Cultural aspects and potential use of cupuassu in the Itacoatiara county, Amazonas State
Abstract
Cultivating cupuassu is one of the most outstanding agricultural activities in the Amazon region due to the broad commercialization of its pulp both processed and “in natura”. Cupuassu plays also a significant role in sustainable agroforestry systems and this enlarges its social and economical importance in the region. However, only the fruit pulp is used for economical purposes; the seed and the peel have found no significant commercial use till today. The objective of this work was to evaluate agronomical aspects of cupuassu plantings in 20 farms of the Itacoatiara municipality, a geopolitical unit of the Amazonas state. At the same time, the farmers knowledge concerning the uses and the economical possibilities of the seed and the peel was also evaluated. These data were garnered by means of a questionnaire the farmers were asked to reply. Fruit productivity of the 2009-2010 crop year in the evaluated farms was verified to be very low, this result being due essentially to the lack of soil fertilization and pests and diseases control practices. Witches broom disease was found in all the 20 farms; cupuassu fruit borer in 65%, and mistletoes in 20% of them. All the farmers sell both the seeds and pulp to cooperatives or intermediators (a negotiator acting as a link between parties) but most of them are not aware that the seed can be used for the production of butter and oil cake as well as where and how these products can be used.
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References
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