Acai palm base temperatures and thermal time requirements in eastern Amazon

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the base temperatures, thermal time requirements, and length of the main reproductive growth stages of acai palm (Euterpe oleracea) in the northeast of the state of Pará, in eastern Amazon, Brazil. The experiment was carried out from 2017 to 2019 in a 10 ha acai plantation, using the time-series analysis. Plant phenology was monitored weekly, and local weather conditions were monitored daily. The lower and upper base temperatures were of 12.92 and 32.46°C, respectively, for pre-flowering; 13.50 and 32.23°C for flowering; 12.14 and 32.55°C for green fruit stage; 11.64 and 32.78°C for fruit color-changing stage; and 11.23 and 32.94°C for maturation. The thermal time requirement and the average cycle length for the ideal harvest time of acai palm were 3,893.15 degree-days and 283 days, respectively. The thermal time requirement and the duration of the reproductive growth stage for acai palm are influenced by the period of the year and the variability of air temperature, which, when high, reduces the cycle of the crop, and when mild, increases it.