Avaliação do desenvolvimento da andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) em sistemas agroflorestais implantado na Terra Indígena Andirá-Marau

Abstract

Carapa guianensis Aubl., popularly known as andiroba, is an Amazonian tree with multiple uses and internationally recognized pharmacological and cosmetic properties. It is considered one of the main species for the exploitation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) and as a forest component in Agroforestry Systems (AFS). Due to the importance of the species and the potential of AFS for atmospheric carbon sequestration in degraded tropical lands, this study aimed to evaluate the dendrometric characteristics, fruit and seed quality, and soil fertility of 10-year-old andiroba trees established in AFSs in the Sateré-Mawé Indigenous Lands (TI), in the Andirá River basin. The research was conducted in three AFSs in the communities of the Sateré-Mawé TI, on the Andirá River. In each AFS, 10 individuals were measured; soil samples were collected around the measured trees at two depths; Fruits were randomly collected from the 10 individuals. The 10-year-old andiroba individuals grown in AFS showed satisfactory vegetative and reproductive growth. Fruit production was observed in all measured individuals with DBH ranging from 9.5 to 36.9 cm and total height from 3.0 to 19.0 m. In general, soil physical characteristics, soil fertility, and AFS management influenced andiroba growth. The AFS with the best andiroba performance has the highest density among the species and is composed of native and exotic fruit trees. These patterns highlighted AFS 3 for presenting the highest average nutrient contents and exhibiting greater integration between soil attributes, characterizing a more balanced soil environment and possibly more favorable to the development of cultivated species. The biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds produced in the evaluated AFS are similar to those of the forest. There was no difference between the AFSs in fruit and seed size. The greatest loss in seed quality is due to predation by insect larvae and fungi, both for seeds from AFS and those from the forest. Seed quality assessment using the X-ray method allowed for the safe evaluation and interpretation of images of damaged and undamaged seeds directly, allowing for the separation of good from poor quality seeds without destroying the seed.