Archontophoenix Alexandrae Research Articles

Measuring Air Quality using Lichen Mapping at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Campus

A study relating air quality with lichens was conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Bangi campus. The aim is to determine the land of pollution in the area where the lichens are going. The site fulfils many characteristics for a good location such as the age of the campus which is more than 40 years, population density, buildings, traffic in the campus as well as at its periphery, hills surrounding the buildings, forest reserve, recreational gardens as well as daily activities in the campus. The palm trees in UKM comprise of 36 species, among them, Roystenia oleracea, R. regia, Veitchia merillii, Cocos nucifera, Bentinckia nicobarica, Archontophoenix alexandrae, Livistona rotundifolia, Areca catechu and Chrysalidocarpus lutescens which are good hosts to lichens. Twenty seven areas around the UKM campus were selected and they consist of 110 palm trees. The nitrogen content and pH values of each host at a height of 1 m and 2 m above the ground were collected. Each palm tree was selected according to the geographical position such as near to a road, hill, forest reserve, river, golf course and students’ residences. The locations were recorded using GPS and all data were entered in the GIS. The pH at the height of 1m of the pal host was 4.87±0.48, whilst the pH value at the height of 2 m was 4.88±0.46. The nitrogen content at the height of 1 m was 0.5940±0.4437% and for the height of 2 m was 0.6586±0.5698%. The lichens growing on the host are epiphytic lichens from the genus/species Arthonia, Caloplaca, Chrysothrix, Dirinaria, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Laurera, Lecanographa, Lecanora, Parmotrema tinctorum, Parmotrema praesorediosum, Physcia, Pyxine cocoes, Rinodina, Trypethelium and Graphidaceae. Quadrant study at each host for epiphytic lichen gave values for air quality at the study site because each lichen will give a specific score according to its tolerance towards air pollution. The determination of air quality can be determined by the total lichen score in each quadrant. The results showed that the air quality can be categorized to 4 levels, that is, a score more than 10 is clean air, 0-10 is moderate, –10 to 0 is slightly polluted and less than -10 is highly polluted. The study showed that the location of the lichen at the palm host at UKM is consistent to the air quality. Overall, the Air Quality Score at UKM is 8.39±4.33 which is in the moderate category.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation increases biomass of Euterpe edulis and Archontophoenix alexandrae after two years under field conditions

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of tree seedlings in the nursery is a biotechnological strategy to improve growth, survival after transplanting, biomass production and to reduce the use of fertilizers. Archontophoenix alexandrae and Euterpe edulis are palm species used in southern Brazil to produce the palm heart, the latter being included in the list of threatened species due to the overexploitation of its native population. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and physiological parameters of A. alexandrae and E. edulis. After germination, the seedlings were inoculated (AMF) or not (CTL) with AMF in the treatments. Values of chlorophyll content, biomass and shoot phosphorus were not statistically different between the AMF and CTL treatments, after five months in the greenhouse. Inoculation with AMF significantly increased the levels of starch and soluble carbohydrates in shoots and roots of both species. Under field conditions, AMF had no effect on stem diameter and height after 12 and 24 months, but total plant biomass and leaf, stem and root biomass were greater in AMF than in CTL plants. The data indicated that AMF inoculation in the nursery has a strong effect on biomass accumulation after growing for 24 months under field conditions. Therefore, AMF inoculation should be considered an important strategy to increase growth and production of these economically important tropical palm species.

Tipos de substratos para germinação de sementes de palmeira- real-australiana (Archontophoenix alexandrae H. Wendl. & Drude)

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o desempenho germinativo de sementes de palmeira-australiana em diferentes substratos e estabelecer a granulometria e intensidade de umedecimento adequado. A semeadura foi realizada com quatro repetições de 25 sementes em solo, areia, rolo de papel e em vermiculita de diferentes granulometrias: mícron (0,15-0,20 mm), superfina (0,21-0,30 mm), fina (0,30-0,50 mm) e média (1,19-0,50 mm), umedecidas com 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; e 2,0 vezes o seu peso em água. O teste de germinação foi conduzido a 20-30 °C, avaliando-se a primeira contagem do teste aos sete dias após a semeadura e, semanalmente, a germinação (plântulas normais) até os 35 dias, quando foram contabilizadas, também, as plântulas anormais e as sementes mortas. Calcularam-se o tempo médio e frequência relativa de germinação. A vermiculita mícron umedecida com uma vez o seu peso em água apresentou o melhor desempenho como substrato para o teste de germinação de sementes de palmeira-real-australiana, por possibilitar a máxima germinação das sementes (90%) e velocidade de germinação, demandando tempo médio de 15,3 dias nesse processo.

DESPOLPAMENTO, ARMAZENAMENTO E TEMPERATURA NA GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE PALMEIRA REAL AUSTRALIANA

The Australian King palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is suitable for the rational exploitation of heart of palm, mainly due to its early maturity, rusticity, and heart of palm quality. Aiming at studying the effect of pulping, storage, and temperature on the germination of its seeds, two experiments were carried out. The first one combined five pulping methods (hand pulping with the aid of a sieve, after harvesting; pulping in sulfuric acid; moisturized fruits stored in plastic bags for three days, for fermentation; fruits immersed in water for three days, with the water being daily replaced; and not pulped fruits) and four storage periods (0, 30, 75, and 120 days), at 20oC. The design was completely randomized, in a 5x4 factorial scheme, with five replications of 30 seeds. For the second experiment, seeds extracted after fruits were immersed in water for three days were taken to germinate in a completely randomized design, with six treatments and five replications of 30 seeds, under different temperatures (constant temperatures of 25oC, 30oC, 35oC, and 40oC, as well as alternating temperatures of 30oC/20oC (day/night) and 35oC/25oC (day/night)). The germination percentage and the germination speed index were evaluated and the pulping method with fruits immersed in water was considered the best one for preserving seeds before and after storage, as well as 25oC the best temperature for promoting the germination of the Australian King palm seeds.

Juice from king palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) leaf sheathes: chemical characterisation and use in soft drink formulation

SummaryThe heart of palm is a food extracted from several species of palm trees. Only 10–20% of the raw material is transformed into canned hearts of palm, therefore this agro‐industry generates a large quantity of solid residue. The aim of this work was to extract and characterise a juice produced from this solid residue. This extract is compared with the traditional fruit juices (orange and pineapple juices), obtaining higher contents of minerals, such as magnesium (22.80 mg/100 g) and potassium (276.90 mg/100 g), phenolic compounds (gallic, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic, syringic and caffeic acids) and high free radical scavenging capacity (expressed as 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl), which suggest high antioxidant activity. Additionally, a new soft drink was formulated using this king palm juice as its main ingredient. The soft drink samples formulated with this juice had high sensory acceptability and high intention of consumption, which suggests an important and low‐cost application for this industrial residue.

Aproveitamento dos resíduos da produção de conserva de palmito como substrato para plantas

Avaliou-se as características físicas e químicas dos resíduos da extração do palmito da palmeira real australiana [Archontophoenix alexandrae (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude] com vistas à sua utilização como substrato para plantas. Estudou-se amostras originárias de dois locais, do interior e do litoral, e subdividiu-se as mesmas segundo as partes da planta em folhas, estipe, e "cartucho" (bainhas), sendo analisadas na forma in natura e após sofrer hidrólise ácida. Todas as amostras foram caracterizadas determinando-se a densidade úmida e seca, a porosidade total, o espaço de aeração, a disponibilidade de água, o valor de pH, a condutividade elétrica e o teor total de sais solúveis. Não houve diferença estatística entre as amostras para as características físicas estudadas. As amostras oriundas do litoral não diferiram daquelas obtidas no interior, assim como, as amostras que sofreram hidrólise ácida não diferiram daquelas in natura. Da mesma forma, as partes da planta (folhas, estipe e cartucho) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre si. No entanto, os resultados das características químicas consideradas não são apropriados para a utilização dos resíduos da indústria de conserva de palmito como substrato para plantas e indicam a necessidade de novos estudos com resíduos provenientes de plantio controlado da palmeira real australiana.

Microstructure, nutrient composition and antioxidant capacity of king palm flour: A new potential source of dietary fibre

The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition, microstructure, and antioxidant capacity of king palm flour obtained from residues from organic king palm ( Archontophoenix alexandrae) processing. King palm flour exhibited high levels of dietary fibre (70.85%) and total ash (3.27%); low contents of protein (3.51%) and lipid (0.91%). Iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium contents were 7.31, 517.03, 801.33 and 1041.95 mg/100 g, respectively. The high concentration of glucose, xylose and arabinose suggests the presence of some polysaccharides, such as cellulose and hemicelluloses (xyloglucans and arabinoxylans). Methanol and aqueous extracts of king palm flour showed 1.27 and 0.95 mg/g (Gallic Acid Equivalents) of total polyphenols, respectively. Methanol extract yielded the best antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH ) and 2,2′-azino-di(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate) (ABTS +) methods. The micrographs of leaf sheath showed the presence of druses, which are characterized as calcium oxalate deposition, contributing to the calcium content in king palm flour. The presence of primary and secondary cell walls lignified in leaf sheath contributed to high levels of dietary fibre detected in king palm flour.

Chemical composition of flours made of residues from the king palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) industry

Residues from King palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) processing were used for the production of flours, which were then chemically characterized. The protein content in these flours ranged from 3.62 to 9.75 g/100g and was higher in sifted leaf flour (SLF). The dietary fiber contents varied from 64 to 72 g/100g. These values were high when compared to those of flours used in human nutrition. Analysis of anti-nutritional factors showed phytate contents to be below the levels that affected the bioavailability of minerals in human diet. Tannin contents were compatible with those found in legumes, between 0 and 2000 mg/100g. These flours showed high mineral content, which suggested a possibility for them to be used as food supplement. However, the bioavailability of these minerals could be affected by high total dietary fibre concentrations and anti-nutritional components contained in the samples.

Effect of king palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) flour incorporation on physicochemical and textural characteristics of gluten‐free cookies

SummaryThe replacement of the blend of rice flour (70%) and corn starch (30%) with king palm flour [Archontophoenix alexandrae (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. and Drude] at levels of 0–30% was investigated for its effects on the chemical and physical characteristics of gluten‐free dough and cookies. Cookies containing 10, 20 and 30% of king palm flour were analysed by twenty‐one celiac consumers through preference‐ranking test. Ash, minerals, and dietary fibre contents increased in cookies that were added with king palm flour. Compared with the control dough, the incorporation of king palm flour increased the firmness and decreased the adhesiveness of dough samples. The incorporation of king palm flour increased the hardness of cookies in relation to the control dough. None of the cookies differed significantly (P > 0.05) in the lightness (L*) parameter. All formulations produced cookies with hue angles around 60, which indicate a tendency to brown colour. The study reveals that the incorporation of king palm flour showed desirable results in nutritional characteristics, because of the increase of the dietary fibre and minerals contents. In this study, the cookies preferred by celiac consumers were those containing 10 and 20% of king palm flour (P > 0.05).

Estimating Water Needs of Landscape Palms in Mediterranean Climates

The responses of five landscape palm species [king palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), and california fan palm (Washingtonia filifera)] to three levels of irrigation [50%, 25%, and 0% (no irrigation) of reference evapotranspiration] were evaluated in a coastal mediterranean climate in Irvine, CA. Cumulative leaf production varied greatly among the species, but only king and chinese windmill palms produced more leaves with additional irrigation. All species maintained at least minimally acceptable visual quality at the no-irrigation treatment. Mediterranean fan and california fan palms expressed near optimum performance with no irrigation. Many established landscape palms can maintain at least minimally acceptable appearance for an extended period with little or no supplemental water in coastal mediterranean climates. However, when rainfall plus irrigation is less than 50% of reference evapotranspiration, sensitive landscape palms could be expected to appear less attractive and grow less. Responses of palm species in this study were similar to those of many other landscape tree and shrub species, but the water needs of landscape palms are considerably less than those of commercial date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), or coconut palm (Cocos nucifera).

Estimating Water Needs of Landscape Palms in Mediterranean Climates

The responses of five landscape palm species [king palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), and california fan palm (Washingtonia filifera)] to three levels of irrigation [50%, 25%, and 0% (no irrigation) of reference evapotranspiration] were evaluated in a coastal mediterranean climate in Irvine, CA. Cumulative leaf production varied greatly among the species, but only king and chinese windmill palms produced more leaves with additional irrigation. All species maintained at least minimally acceptable visual quality at the no-irrigation treatment. Mediterranean fan and california fan palms expressed near optimum performance with no irrigation. Many established landscape palms can maintain at least minimally acceptable appearance for an extended period with little or no supplemental water in coastal mediterranean climates. However, when rainfall plus irrigation is less than 50% of reference evapotranspiration, sensitive landscape palms could be expected to appear less attractive and grow less. Responses of palm species in this study were similar to those of many other landscape tree and shrub species, but the water needs of landscape palms are considerably less than those of commercial date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), or coconut palm (Cocos nucifera).

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of cookies containing residue from king palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) processing

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical properties of the flours prepared with residues from organic king palm processing, and also to determine the cookie‐making performance of residue blends from organic king palm processing and wheat flour, as well as the effect of the blends on the consumers’ acceptance and purchase intent of high‐fibre cookies. The king palm flours (PFs) contained high contents of total dietary fibre and total ash. Blends containing 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of either PF or sieved king‐palm flour (SPF) replacing wheat flour were prepared. The total dietary fibre content of the cookies ranged from 4 to 7 g (100 g)−1 on a dry‐matter basis. The level of these components improved with increased amounts of PF and SPF in the blends. All the cookies were acceptable and approved in relation to purchase intent.

Influence of disinfestation and osmotic conditioning on the germinating behavior of australian royal palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae)seeds

The technique of Osmotic Conditioning, which consists of partial and controlled hydration of the seeds, has obtained success with various species of seeds, increasing the germinating span and tolerance to the adverse conditions of the environment, and has also reduced the time elapsed between sowing and the emergence of the plants. Associated to ideal storage conditions, the treatment has increased the performance of the seeds of tropical wood species. Aiming at studying the germinating environment and the effect of osmotic conditioning on the germination of seeds of the Australian Royal Palm tree, two experiments were performed. The first one evaluated the effect of disinfestation of the seeds of the Australian Royal Palm tree with NaClO. The treatments applied were: 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, exposure periods of 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 240 minutes, and the fungicide Captan, as control. The treatments with NaClO did not differ in relation to the final percentage of germination and to the germination speed index, and did not differ from the treatment control. The second test evaluated solutions with the following osmotic potentials: 0.0MPa (pure water), -0.4MPa, -0.6MPa and -0.8MPa, exposed for the periods of 10 and 20 days. The final percentage of germination did not differ among the treatments. The seeds hydrated in pure water for a period of 20 days showed a germination speed index significantly superior to the other treatments, and they did not show significant differences among themselves.

Effect of Amended Backfill Soils When Planting Five Species of Palms

In a study in southern California, five species of palms [king palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), california fan palm (Washingtonia filifera)] grown in 1-gal containers were planted in 12 × 12 × 12-inch holes in sandy loam (five species) and in clay loam (two species) with the backfill amended using a commercially available, composted, nitrogen-stabilized douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) shavings product incorporated at 0%, 25%, and 50% by volume. After 18 months, all palms were fully established. Crown volume, stem diameter, visual quality, quantity of new leaves produced, and percent total nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium in leaves did not differ significantly among the three treatments for all species or among treatments within a species. Thus, in this study there was no benefit from amending the backfill with this type of organic amendment when planting palms.

Coeficiente de caminhamento entre caracteres vegetativos e de produção de palmito da palmeira real australiana

A determinação do coeficiente de caminhamento é bastante útil no melhoramento genético de plantas perenes. No presente estudo foram estimados os efeitos diretos e indiretos de cinco caracteres vegetativos da planta, relacionados ao crescimento, sobre os principais componentes da produção de palmito da palmeira real australiana (Archontophoenix alexandrae Wendl. & Drude), por meio do coeficiente de caminhamento. Para tanto, foram utilizados dados obtidos por ocasião da colheita realizada em 238 plantas de um experimento, com três de anos de campo, conduzido em Pariquera-Açu, SP. Desdobraram-se as correlações lineares simples existentes entre as variáveis padronizadas (dependentes e independentes), estabelecendo-se posteriormente um diagrama causal e identificando-se as inter-relações entre as variáveis envolvidas. Concluiu-se que o comprimento da folha flecha apresentou efeitos diretos e indiretos negativos e de baixa magnitude, evidenciando pouca influência na seleção de genótipos superiores, mas permitindo estabelecer, na prática, ponto adequado de colheita para maior retorno econômico. A maior magnitude dos coeficientes foi encontrada para a altura da planta, com efeitos diretos e indiretos elevados, positivos e significativos, explicando 85% da produção total. O diâmetro da planta, o número de folhas e o comprimento da quarta folha apresentaram efeitos diretos de baixa magnitude, porém positivos, podendo ser levados em consideração quando do estabelecimento de índices de seleção.

Genetic parameters estimation in King palm through a mixed mating system model

Overestimation of the genetic parameters is common in palms due to the occurrence of geitonogamy and the absence of self-incompatibility mechanisms. Data from nursery grown Archontophoenix palms were utilized, assuming a mixed mating system including random cross-pollination and selfing at different rates. The objective was to show the importance of knowing the mating system predominant and define breeding strategies for that genus. Twenty-four King palm half sib families were evaluated at nursery conditions using a randomised complete block design, with nine replications and eleven plants per plot. Ten months after sowing, traits such as diameter, height, number of green leaves and length of the leaf sheath of the second leaf, were individually measured. Traits related to biomass were also estimated through regression procedure. It was concluded that King palm cannot be considered allogamous and the mixed mating system model should be used when estimating genetic parameters. At least 50% of selfing occurred at the time of pollination in the mother plants. The multi-effects index, using all random effects of the linear model, provided the highest selection accuracy for all traits, whatever the individual heritability level, and should be used in King palm heart-of-palm breeding programs. Under the allogamous model, the effective size of the studied population was equivalent to 93 unrelated individuals. This size was reduced to 32 palms under the mixed model; even so this population has enough variability to allow genetic progress by selection.

Desiccation effects on germination and vigor of King palm seeds

The desiccation tolerance of Archontophoenix alexandrae (Wendl. & Drude) seeds was determined and the most sensitive vigor test for assessing seed deterioration of this species was identified. Mature fruits were harvested in the palm collection of the Instituto Agronomico in Campinas, Brazil. Depulped fruits were transported in impermeable packages to the Faculdade de Agronomia in Botucatu, where the seeds were dried. As the seed moisture decreased, germination, seedling length, electrical conductivity and moisture were measured. The seeds of A. alexandrae are recalcitrant, with high germination percentage (over 67%) when undried (47% seed moisture). Lowering seed moisture below 31.5% reduced the germination rate significantly (<52.5%). Total germination failure was observed when seed moisture reached 15.1%. The electrical conductivity was the most sensitive vigor test to identify seed deterioration.

Influence of Fertilizer Placement on Plant Quality, Root Distribution, and Weed Growth in Container-grown Tropical Ornamental Plants

In two experiments, chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii), areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), fishtail palm (Caryota mitis), macarthur palm (Ptychosperma macarthurii), shooting star (Pseuderanthemum laxiflorum), downy jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum), plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae), and foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) were transplanted into 6.2-L (2-gal) containers. They were fertilized with Osmocote Plus 15N-3.9P-10K (12-to14-month formulation) (Expt. 1) or Nutricote Total 18N-2.6P-6.7K (type 360) (Expt. 2) applied by either top dressing, substrate incorporation, or layering the fertilizer just below the transplanted root ball. Shoot dry weight, plant color, root dry weights in the upper and lower halves of the root ball, and weed shoot dry weight were determined when each species reached marketable size. Optimal fertilizer placement method varied among the species tested. With the exception of areca palm, none of the species tested grew best with incorporated fertilizer. Root dry weights in the lower half of the root ball for chinese hibiscus, bamboo palm, and downy jasmine were greatest when the fertilizer was layered and root dry weights in the upper half of the root ball were greatest for top-dressed chinese hibiscus. Weed growth was lower in pots receiving layered fertilizer for four of the six palm species tested.

Adequate timing for heart-of-palm harvesting in King palm

Heart-of-palm, palm heart, or "palmito" can be considered as a non-conventional vegetable, largely consumed in Brazil and exported to more than sixty countries. Timing of heart-of-palm harvesting is a critical issue in palmito agribusiness, since it affects yield, quality and costs. A three-year field experiment was utilized to identify the correct timing for king palm heart-of-palm harvesting, from the standpoint of maximizing yield and minimizing growing period. The experimental site was located at Pariqueraçu, Vale do Ribeira, a region where palmito agribusiness has increased recently, due to adequate climatic conditions, low costs and high industry demand. Crop was grown in 2 x 0.75 m spacing, utilizing six-month old seedlings. Growth was assessed periodically by measuring plant diameter and height (from soil level to insertion of leaf spear), as well as leaf number and size. Harvest was done, from 36 to 40 months after planting date. The results showed high plant variability, a common feature in palm. In spite of genetic variability, the adequate timing for start heart-of-palm harvesting (considering plant growth rate, yield, quality and market type), was reached when palms were 80 to 115 cm (small diameter) and 200 to 300 cm tall (large diameter). The time to attain those heights varies widely among plants and growing conditions. In this experiment, harvesting could be started at 22 months after planting.

The effects of mulching on establishment of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Becc., Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl. and Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (H. Wendl.) H. Wendl. & Drude in the landscape

Three palm species common to southern California landscapes were grown and established under mulch treatments. Turfgrass clippings and Eucalyptus sideroxylon mulches increased the growth of king and queen palms and increased survival of king palms. Although palms growing under fresh eucalyptus mulches did not display nutrient deficiency symptoms, Mexican fan palm and queen palm were not significantly benefited by mulch treatments. Mexican fan palm was not adversely affected by turfgrass growing around it. However, turfgrass significantly reduced queen and king palm growth and increased mortality of king palms during establishment. Turfgrass increased drought effects and decreased stomatal conductance of palms. Soils under turfgrass were significantly drier than mulched or unmulched soils.