Knowledge, use and management in situ of Licuri (Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc.).

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the relationships between the forms of use and management adopted by extractivists of the palm Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc., as well as their knowledge about it, and to relate ethnobotanical parameters to phenotypic traits in a caatinga area located at the Jiboia settlement in Senhor do Bonfim, Bahia. Licuri is considered a resource of high commercial importance for residents of the Jiboia Settlement. Thirty-five interviews were conducted with the extractivists from April to November 2018. Five categories of use were reported, with emphasis on human food, trade and animal feed. There was a significant relationship between the informants' age, oldest people, and the extractivism of S. coronata. Women's knowledge was also significant. To evaluate the relationship between the residents of the settlement and the Licuri, semi-structured interviews were applied. Phenotypic characterization was performed with selected S. coronata palms in the managed and unmanaged areas. From ethnobotanical and phenotypic data, it was possible to understand the population dynamics and the cultural universe surrounding the use and management of S. coronata, a native species from the northeastern semi-arid region of Brazil and currently under searched regarding this last aspect.