Growth and development of moriche fruits (Mauritia flexuosa) in Guaviare, Colombia

Moriche, aguaje or canangucha (Mauritia flexuosa) is a dioecious palm that reaches 40 m in height, with male and female individuals flower synchronously.A methodology focused on the characterization of the maturation phase and changes in chemical composition during this stage was proposed to determine the collection rates for the different uses of moriche pulp. This procedure evaluated the physiological characteristics and chemical composition of clusters in different stages of maturity during a single period of maturation in the field The moriche fruits exhibited a simple sigmoidal growth. in which the increase in dry weight was the variable that best explained the increase in fruit size. The carotenoids increased in a single evaluation cycle under the conditions of San José del Guaviare; however, the contents can fully satisfy the intake requirements of Provitamin A.