CHARACTERIZATION OF MACAÚBA PLANT GROWTH

The macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) is an olive palm tree of great natural dispersion in Brazil. It is a rustic plant that adapts to adverse soil and climate conditions, however the literature is still lacking in studies that characterize the plant in terms of growth and development pattern, as well as nutritional requirements. Thus, the present research aimed to evaluate the growth variables of macaúba plants. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area of the Federal University of Viçosa, in the municipality of Araponga (MG). The 135 plants evaluated come from different regions of the state of Minas Gerais and are implanted in a spacing of 5x5m, totaling 400 plants/ha. Plant height, diameter at breast height, number of senescent and green leaves, and canopy projection between November and December 2023 were evaluated. The data obtained were submitted to descriptive statistical techniques. The average height of the plants (MPH) was 7.01m, the number of green leaves (NFV) was 13.85, the number of senescent leaves (NFS) was 4.09, the diameter at breast height (DBH) was 35.77cm and the canopy projection (WC) was 6.35m. The coefficient of variation values were 15.32%, 26.59%, 14.96%, 8.86% and 6.72% for AMP, NFS, NFV, DAP and CP, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that the higher values for the number of senescent leaves indicate a possible differentiated pattern regarding the maintenance of the green leaf for a longer time; Such factors may include tolerance to water stress, genetic traits, and differential tolerance to nutritional deficiencies.