In the northwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil was investigated the outcomes of the plant growth and photosynthetic rate of a açai palm cultivar Para (PA), under attenuation of total radiation in 16% and 50% until the age of 8 months. The plant height, the stem diameter and the dry matter accumulation were not influenced by the treatments (p<0.05). However, plants growing under lower attenuation of irradiance started to show significant lower values of leaf area in 5 months; and rate of net photosynthesis and irradiance saturation after 6 months (p<0.05). These results indicated that the seedlings has a potential to adapt in this region, since maintained under attenuation of 50% of irradiance.
leaf area; net photosynthetic rate; saturation irradiance; shade
