Suggested Methodology to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Atificial Introduction of Stingless Beehives in the Productivity of Assai Palm Tree Orchards

G.A Venturieri,G.C Venturieri,G.R Venturieri

doi:10.18561/2179-5746/biotaamazonia.v6n4p107-108

Abstract

The assai palm tree ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.), is an Amazonian native species whose berries, can be extracted a pulp with antioxidant properties. Its productivity was evaluated, at upland, in two moments: before, and after introduction of 14 colonies of M. flavolineata and 14 of M. fasciculata stingless bees to serve as pollinators. Giving the impression that the bees had no influence. However, the experiment was considered as inconclusive due to methodological gaps, but used as a case study to discuss critically the validity of the applied methodology. Improvements in experimental design and parameters to be evaluated are suggested. Keywords: Euterpe oleracea ; Melipona fasciculata ; Melipona flavolineata ; Amazonia.

Highlights

The assai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is native to the lowland forests of Amazonia and has recently been labelled as a 'superfood', because of its berries that contain high levels of anthocyanins, a natural source of antioxidants (RUFINO et al, 2010)
The assai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), is native to the Amazon estuary region, and is cultivated extensively for its fruit, which is extracted as pulp and sold throughout Brazil, and increasingly to international markets
Fruit production was evaluated in an upland orchard at two discrete time points: before, and after the introduction of 28 colonies of the stingless bee species Melipona flavolineata and Melipona fasciculata (14 colonies per species)

Summary

Introduction

The assai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is native to the lowland forests of Amazonia and has recently been labelled as a 'superfood', because of its berries that contain high levels of anthocyanins, a natural source of antioxidants (RUFINO et al, 2010). Fruit production was evaluated in an upland orchard at two discrete time points: before, and after the introduction of 28 colonies of the stingless bee species Melipona flavolineata and Melipona fasciculata (14 colonies per species).

Results

Conclusion