Plant thinning recovers fruiting of <i>Myrciaria dubia</i> in the Peruvian Amazon

Abstract

Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a fruit tree native to the Peruvian Amazon. The first plantations were grown at high densities. However, after 20 years of cultivation, the trees exhibit low flowering and fruiting. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different thinning densities (3 x 3 m; 6 x 3 m; 4.24 x 4.24 x 6 m, and 6 x 6 m) and fruiting pruning on fruit production in 20-year-old Myrciaria dubia plants. The study evaluated several variables, including the number of flower buds, green and harvested fruits, as well as the mass (g) and equatorial diameter (mm) of the harvested fruits, fruit yield (t ha^-1), and light intensity (lux). The best results were observed in Myrciaria dubia plants that were influenced by a thinning density of 6 x 3 m and were not pruned. These plants had the highest number of flower buds, green and harvested fruits, fruit yield, and light intensity, with values of 18805, 7522, 2820.75, 13.3 t ha^-1, and 57395.00 lux, respectively. The spacing of 6 x 3 m resulted in favorable conditions for space and light, allowing the productive characteristics of 20-year-old Myrciaria dubia plants to recover. The plants were in a state of ecodormancy due to the suspension of their physiological activities caused by the absence of agronomic management.