We evaluated the effect of planting density, stem diameter classes at harvesting and shoot number on heart-of-palm production. The experimental layout was a randomized split-plot design with a factorial arrangement in the split-plot with three replicates. The whole plot was spaced at (S¹ - 2.0 m x 1.0 m and S² - 2.0 m x 1.5 m) and the subplots were 14 m² and 12 m² for S¹ and S², respectively. The diameter class and height of plants, length, and production of heart-of-palm, and number of stem harvested per subplot were evaluated. We harvested from 16 to 42 months after planting with three months interval. Stem diameter class at harvesting affected significantly the production, the number of shoots and the average weight of heart-of-palm and the plant classes of 9.7 to 11.3 cm, 11.4 to 13.4 cm and 13.5 to 15.6 cm, respectively. Yields of heart-of palm at diameter classes 9.7 to 11.3 cm, 11.4 to 13.4 cm and 13.5 to 15.6 cm were 1.86 t/ha, 1.58 t/ha and 1.05 t/ha, respectively. Stem diameter class at harvesting affected also the number of stems and average weight of heart-of palm. From the diameter classes 9.7 to 11.3 cm, 11.4 to 13.4 cm and 13.5 to 15.6 cm were harvested per subplot 11.5; 8.5 and 4.5 stems with 210, 256 and 310 g, respectively. Planting space did not affect the evaluated parameters, except the average weight of heart-of-palm. Concerning the number of shoots, 1.65 t/ha/42 months and 1.34 t/ha/42 months were harvested for four shoots left per plant and all the shoots per plant, respectively. The yield of heart-of palm correlated positively with the number of stems (0.84) and negatively with stem diameter class at harvest (-0.76), plant height (-0.52) and average weight of heart-of-palm (-0.51). The regression analysis explained the effect of length of heart-of-palm stem diameter at harvest over the average weight of heart-of-palm by 65%. The results allow us to conclude as a preliminary information for the irrigated areas of the Vale do São Francisco, that peach palm can be cultivated in the spacing of 2.0 m x 1.0 m and 2.0 m x 1.5 m, with four shoots per plant and stem diameter at harvest from 9.7 cm to 13.4 cm.
Bactris gasipaes K; heart-of-palm; semi-arid; production
