Revisão sistemática do conhecimento atual sobre o açaí-do-amazonas (Euterpe precatoria Mart.)

Abstract

The species Euterpe precatoria Mart. is a palm that is currently important for subsistence and income generation. There are few publications available in the literature that summarize what is known and current trends regarding this species. This study aimed to compile information on systematics, ecology, production, quality and management in order to identify gaps in current knowledge about the species. To this end, a systematic survey was carried out in online bibliographic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, the Capes theses and dissertations catalogue and the Embrapa database. A total of 1568 studies mentioning Euterpe were identified and 273 dealt with Euterpe precatoria, with 90 studies covering ecology, uses, management, fruit production and yield, fruit quality characteristics in terra firme, baixio and várzea environments. Studies on genetic diversity offer new perspectives on the systematics of E. precatoria, which may be a complex of species. The abundances are different in the terra firme, the baixios and the várzea, with the highest coefficient of variation in the terra firme, followed by the baixio and the lowest in the várzea. The várzea has a higher number of bunches/plant and fruit weight/bunch than the baixio; there is no data for the terra firme. Potential yield is higher in the várzea than in the baixio. Management practices are essential to ensure sustainable production of the species, but there is little information on population management and management recommendations need to be effectively tested. This information is important to support plans to improve and expand cultivation of the species.