Development and production of cupuacu-plants on degraded areas: implication of water relations.

Studies on the development of 750 cupuacu-plants grown in a monocultura and three mixed cultivation systems on a degraded area, a former terra firme rain forest site near Manaus-AM (Brasil). It was conclude that - despite the vast precipitation in Central Amazonia - water supply is a limiting factor for the cultivation of cupuacu-trees. Plants grown solitary on degraded areas suffer frequently from draught. Thus, designs of plantation for the recultivation of degraded areas must consider the water balance of the system. Species composition and planting densities should lead to storied structures of the plant community. Such structures reduce the vertical mass transfer and consequently counteract the water loss of the planting system, thus, preventing a retardation of the develoment of cupuacu-plants by draught