Distribuição potencial, conhecimento tradicional e caracterização de frutos e endocarpos de umbuzeiro (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Câm.) de Sergipe

Abstract

Umbu (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam.) is a native fruit-bearing species of great socioeconomic importance for the semi-arid Northeast region of Brazil. It is known for its fruit, which is consumed in natura and processed in the form of jam and confections. Other parts of the plant, such as roots and leaves, are frequently used in traditional medicine. However, it is nearly always made use of in an extractive manner, without adequate management. This may impede natural regeneration, species maintenance over time, and even fruit production for local commercial trading. In Sergipe, where the species occurs naturally, little is known regarding the population, either its phenotypic traits or genetic traits, even though umbu is an essential element in the identity of the dwellers of the sertão region of Sergipe. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the areas with greatest probability of occurrence of the species in Brazil and in Sergipe through potential distribution modeling, record knowledge regarding the species, analyze technological and scientific knowledge, and characterize the trees, fruit, and endocarps of Spondias tuberosa coming from Sergipe. The areas of greatest probability of occurrence of the species are in the Northeast region of Brazil, within the Caatinga biome domain. In Sergipe, these areas are in the microregions of the Agreste Central, Médio Sertão, and Alto Sertão. Knowledge associated with the species shows the potential for use and the social importance that the species holds in the locations of natural occurrence, indicating the relevance of traditional knowledge for economic use of the genetic resources of the species. The information gathered in this study assists definition of strategies that aim at sustainable management and conservation of the species. As the fruit stone (endocarp + seed) is frequently used to produce seedlings, a bibliometric survey was also conducted of scientific knowledge regarding the dispersal units of S. tuberosa. The donor trees are separated from each other at a minimum distance of 30 m and have a mean height of 5.31 m, canopy diameters of 9.83 m (larger measure) and 9.02 m (smaller measure), and trunk diameter of 30.83 cm. The fruit has an average length of 2.98 cm and average width of 2.57 cm, and its peel is predominantly yellow. The fruit stone has an average length of 1.83 cm and average width of 1.17 cm, and is predominantly orange in color. The bibliometric survey indicates inadequate use of the term “seed” in the scientific studies evaluated.