The Amazonas State Research Support Foundation (FAPEAM - Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas), featured an article about the research of Lal Carbon Center Visiting Scholar Vairton Radmann. An english translation of the original article is available within.
By Diovana Rodrigues (Decon/Fapeam)
Presenting technical and economic information on the cultivation of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) cultivar BRS-Pará, popularly known as “açaí with several stems”, which has expanded significantly in the southern and southeastern region of Amazonas, driven by the national and international market for the pulp of the açaí fruit, was the main objective of research supported by the Government of Amazonas, through the Amazonas State Research Support Foundation (FAPEAM).
The study entitled “Response of the açaí cultivar BRS-Pará from increasing doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with and without irrigation” is supported by the Strategic Support Program for Economic-Environmental Development of the State of Amazonas – Amazonas Strategic, Notice No. 004/2018.
The study coordinator and doctor in Soil and Water Management and Conservation, Vaírton Radmann, from the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), states that the analyses began with the production of seedlings, followed by the planting and development of the plants in the field. And these studies should continue for several years, in order to observe the viability cycle of the specie.
“Açaí is part of the diet of the population in the Amazon, a food with excellent nutritional and medicinal properties, which has led to it being exported and consumed in other countries. In addition to its importance in the diet, açaí is an important source of income, if not the most important for many extractivists and farmers,” he said about the importance of açaí.
The study determined the circumference of the stem of the plants, the height and the nutrient content in the tissue, as a function of the doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K2O), the number of plants per hole, with and without irrigation, in the first and second year of cultivation.
Soil and leaf analysis are two extremely important tools when recommending fertilization for açaí to the producer, aiming at cost reduction, greater productivity and quality of the açaí, environmental gain and greater profitability.
“In the 15 ha experimental area at Agropecuaria Rossato Farm, the plants are 4 and a half years old. At the same time, 4 more experiments of 8.50 ha are being conducted on 3 other farms, with plants of the same and different ages, which are part of the Fertilization Recommendation for açaí,” he explained.
He also added that, for the production of açaí seedlings, it is important to acquire registered seeds and follow the appropriate technical standard in the nursery, which will provide seedlings with a larger diameter, healthy stem and adequate height, allowing for better initial development in the field.
Results
In the first two years of evaluation, it was observed that the quantities of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) absorbed in the leaf tissue by the plants, depending on the number of plants per hole, are variable, showing that with the increase in the number of plants per hole, the greater the requirement for fertilization. When making the fertilization recommendation to the producer, the number of plants and tillers conducted per hole is often not considered, which can lead to insufficient fertilization.
Increasing the doses of N and K resulted in a significant increase in the height and stem diameter of the açaí plants, respectively. When recommending fertilization, it is important to balance the amounts of N, P and K to be applied by the farmers for satisfactory plant development. This is why soil analysis is important, and whenever possible, leaf analysis, for adequate fertilization recommendations.
Strategic Amazon Program
The Program aims to finance scientific, technological and innovation research activities, in the following thematic lines: 1) Agriculture (Fruit Farming); 2) Aquaculture (Fish Farming and Ornamental Fish); 3) Fine Chemistry, Biocosmetics and Biopharmaceuticals; 4) Information and Communication Technology; 5) New materials (biocomposites, advanced composites and bioinspired metamaterials); 6) Recovery/Regeneration of Degraded Areas; 7) Environmental Services; 8) Mining.
“FAPEAM, through its public notices, has enabled the carrying out of numerous studies focused on the primary sector, which has contributed to the development of this sector in the interior of the state and the training of human resources. I would like to thank everyone on the work team who contributed and continues to contribute to the implementation of the projects,” stated the study coordinator.
Research Portfolio
This and other research coordinated by scientists working in the capital and in the interior of Amazonas, with the support of the State Government, are available in the Amazonas Investment and Research Results Portfolio – Vol.04, organized by FAPEAM, with a total of 50 studies already completed. To learn more, access the following link: https://l1nk.dev/fapeam-portfolio-4
To read this article in the original Portuguese, access the link below: