Abstract
Pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) was domesticated and widely used in the lowland humid neotropics during pre-Colombian times. Several research programs are underway to study and improve the species for use by farmers in ecologically suitable regions. Five breeding programs are outlined, each for a use to which the pejibaye may be put: (1) palmito (heart of palm), (2) whole fruit for human consumption, (3) flour and meal production, (4) oil production, and (5) animal ration from residues or purposefully bred varieties. Yield estimates and breeding problems are discussed. It is certain that the pejibaye can again become an important crop for the humid tropics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Aguiar, J. P. L, H. A. Marinho, Y. S. Rebelo, and R. Shrimpton. 1980. Aspectos nutritivos de alguns frutos da AmazÔnia. Acta Amazonica 10:755–758.
Almeyda, N., and F. W. Martin. 1980. Cultivation of neglected tropical fruits with promise. Part 8. The Pejibaye. U.S.D.A., New Orleans, LA.
Arias M., Arias O., and F. Huete V. 1983. Propagación vegetativa in vitro de pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.). Turrialba 33:103–108.
Arkcoll, D. B. 1986. Monograph on Bactris gasipaes H.B.K. In FAO, Food and fruit-bearing forest species. FAO Forestry Paper 44/3, p. 45–48. Dept. Forestry, FAO, Rome.
—, and J. P. L. Aguiar. 1984. Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.): a new source of vegetable oil from the wet tropics. J. Sci. Food. Agric. 35:520–526.
Babatunde, G. M., B. L. Fetuga, O. Odumosu, and V. A. Oyenuga. 1975. Palm kernel meal as the major protein concentrate in diets of pigs in the tropics. J. Sci. Food. Agric. 26:1279–1291.
Calvo, I. M. 1981. Usos culinarios del chontaduro. Fundación para la Educación Superior, Cali, Colombia.
Camacho V., E. Camacho 1972. El pejibaye (Guilielma gasipaes (H.B.K.) Bailey). (Mimeo.) Instituto Interamericano para la Cooperacíon Agricola, Turrialba, Costa Rica.
—, and J. Soria V. 1970. Palmito de pejibaye. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci./Trop. Region 14: 122–132.
CEAG. 1982. Palmito de Pupunha. Série: Perfil Industrial. Centro de Apoio a Pequena e Média Empresa do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Clement, C. R., and D. B. Arkcoll. 1985. El Bactris gasipaes como cultivo oleaginoso: potencial y necesidades de investigación. In L. E. Forero, ed., Seminario-Taller sobre Oleaginosas Promisorias, p. 16–20. PIRB/INTERCIENCIA, Bogotá, Colombia.
—, C. H. Müller, and W. B. Chaves F. 1982. Recursos genéticos de espécies frutíferas nativas da AmazÔnia brasileira. Acta Amazonica 12:677–695.
Gomes, J. B. M. 1983. Avaliação de características agronÔmicas da pupunheira para produção de palmito. Thesis/Eng. Agric./Univ. Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Hammond, E. G., W. P. Pan, and J. Mora Urpí. 1982. Fatty acid composition and glyceride structure of the mesocarp and kernel oils of the pejibaye palm (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.). Rev. Biol. Trop. 30:91–93.
Hunter, J. R. 1969. The lack of acceptance of the pejibaye palm and a relative comparison of its productivity to that of maize. Econ. Bot. 23:237–244.
Johannessen, C. L. 1966a. Pejibaye palm: yields, prices and labor costs. Econ. Bot. 20:302–315.
—. 1966b. Pejibayes in commercial production. Turrialba 16:181–187.
—. 1966c. The domestication process in trees reproduced by seed: the pejibaye palm in Costa Rica. Geogr. Rev. 56: 363–378.
—. 1967. Pejibaye palm: physical and chemical analysis of the fruit. Econ. Bot. 21:371–378.
Mora Urpí, J. 1979. Pejibaye: consideraciones sobre algunos proyectos en marcha. Asoc. Bananera Nac. (Costa Rica) 3:5–6.
—. 1984. El pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.): origen, biología floral y manejo agronómico. In Palmeras poco utilizadas de América Tropical, p. 118–160. FAO/CATIE, San José, Costa Rica.
—, E. Vargas, C. A. Lopez, M. Villaplana, G. Allon, and C. Bianca. 1984. The Pejibaye. FAO, San José, Costa Rica.
Murillo, M. G., A. Kronenberg, J. F. Mata, J. G. Calzada, and V. Castro. 1983. Estudio preliminar sobre factores inhibidores de enzimas proteolíticas en la harina de pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes). Rev. Biol. Trop. 31:227–231.
OEA. 1977. Perfiles de Mercado. Serie 1. Corazones de Palmito. Organizacióon de Estados Americanos, Washington, DC.
Patiño, V. M. 1963. Plantas cultivadas y animales domésticos en América Equinoctial. Vol. I. Imp. Dept., Cali, Colombia.
—, R. Baracaldo, and M. A. Mejia. 1978. Segundo reunión sobre chontaduro. Serie Informativo, No. 2, Sec. Agric. y Fomento, Cali, Colombia.
Popenoe, W., and O. Jimenez. 1921. The pejibaye, a neglected food plant of tropical America. J. Heredity 12:154–166.
Tracy, M. 1985. The pejibaye fruit: problems and prospects for its development in Costa Rica. Master’s thesis, Univ. Texas, Austin.
Zapata, A. 1972. Pejibaye palm from the Pacific coast of Colombia (a detailed chemical analysis). Econ. Bot. 26:156–159.
Zumbado, M. E., and M. G. Murillo. 1984. Composition and nutritive value of pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) in animal feeds. Rev. Biol. Trop. 32:51–56.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Clement, C.R., UrpÍ, J.E.M. Pejibaye palm (Bactris gasipaes, Arecaceae): Multi-use potential for the lowland humid tropics. Econ Bot 41, 302–311 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858977
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858977