The pequi tree (Caryocar spp. -- Caryocaraceae), a wild specie of Brazilian savannah and Amazon region, is an edible fruit for people living in these ecosystems. The "dwarf pequi tree" (Cariocar brasiliense subsp. intermedium), has a restricted occurrence in some parts of Brasilian savanna which is an incorporated process to arable farm, treating the survival of this specie. The objective of this work was to evaluate the production potencial of "dwarf pequi tree" in its natural habitat. The fruits can be harvested from February to March. In the plant with and without trunk there are up to 86 and 16 fruits per plant respectively. Each fruit has 2 dark yellow mesocarp and each mesocarp weighs 8 g. One year old seedlings of dwarf pequi plants raised from seeds started bearing fruits with 60 cm height 18 to 24 months after field planting in Federal District of Brazil, showing its early ripening character. The data obtained in these studies indicate that dwarf pequi has a great potential for commercial and genetic improvement program to reduce the common pequi tree height.
Caryocar brasiliense subsp. intermedium; Caryocaraceae; savanna
