Abstract
The pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes, Palmae) is being evaluated in Hawaii as a source of fresh hearts of palm. Nine open-pollinated progenies from the Benjamin Constant population of the Putumayo landrace are planted at three densities: 1.5 × 2 m (3333 plants/hectare); 1 × 2 m (5000 pl/ha, the commercial density in Costa Rica); 1 × 1.5 m (6666 pl/ha). Harvest started at 15 months after planting and four months later 25% of the plants had been harvested, with 25%, 30% and 21% at 3333, 5000, and 6666 pl/ha, respectively. Mean heart diameters were unaffected by density (mean±SD = 3.2±0.4 cm). Heart lengths were similar (24±5 cm, 23±6 cm, 26±5 cm, respectively), as were heart weights (200±41 g, 187±44 g, 224±42 g, respectively). This relative uniformity was unexpected, as density effected all of these yield components in earlier experiments in Latin America. Potential yields were different (667±136 kg/ha, 835±221 kg/ha, 1491±275 kg/ha, respectively), and are comparable to yields reported from Costa Rica. Actual precocious yields, however, were not different (167 kg/ha, 278 kg/ha, 385 kg/ha, respectively).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
