Germination and macaw palm tree progeny seedlings of parent plants at the Central South region (Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul states): assessment in field experiments

Abstract

The theme energy is guiding the international diplomatic agenda. Experts say we move into a world of great diversification of energy sources and that the dominance of any one of the energy sources depends on geography, technology, political interest and investment in research. Biomass for energy production is a major energy alternative for countries with the geography and size of Brazil. The Paulista Energy Plan provides a set of guidelines and policy proposals in the energy area and highlights the macaúba as option for cultivation in the state of São Paulo, with a view to occupying areas not suitable for mechanization or underused spaces and the need to broaden social inclusion in places like Vale do Paraíba, Vale do Ribeira e Pontal do Paranapanema. Given this scenario, we propose a study of the macaúba, palm tree native to higher occurrence in Brazil, present in all regions, including areas with water deficit. The high fruit yield with high oil content in the pulp and seed to qualify it as a leading Brazilian alternative for feedstock for biodiesel. The great variability in the yield and composition of fatty acids in pulp oil of macaúba that we have observed indicates that different genotypes can offer differentiated gains and generate oils with different chemical structures. However, the commercial interest in this species increases rapidly with the need to provide materials for planting with minimal agronomic qualities that ensure its competitiveness. Besides good agronomic traits, another concern would be the planting of seedlings with broad genetic base as a way to mitigate hardships caused by climate change and pest and disease attacks. Genetic vulnerability has been responsible for the emergence of pests and diseases over time the cultivation of several forest species, such as citrus, oil palm, eucalyptus, pine, among others. Thus, from the characteristics described for selecting mother plants (ideotypes) for seedling production, physico-chemical data of the oil present in fruits and monitoring of genetic variability by microsatellite markers, the proposed study aims to commercial production of seedlings to be planted on a large scale with preservation of genetic variability, formation of core collections of germplasm and experiment progenies in various environments to formation of garden seeds. (AU)