Evaluación del Crecimiento de Palma Choapo o Bombona (Dictyocaryum lamarckianum (Mart.) H.Wendl.) en un Bosque Muy Húmedo Premontano del Municipio de Cubarral, Meta

Abstract

In the Natural Reserve Las Palmeras, located in San Luís de Cubarral (Meta), inside of the premontane wet forest, the growth of individuals of the Choapo palm (Dictyocaryum lamarckianum) was evaluated, in two places, an intervened forest due to timber extraction, and the other one with characteristics of conserved forest. Registers about the presence of this specie in the zone were inexistent and in adition, due to its relation with the Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) is a very important specie in the zone. In that context and considering the modified methodology of Palacio et al. (1998) and Gallo & García (2003), under a simple randomised experimental design with three replicates, six plots of 625m2 were established equally and 16 individuals of 1.5 years of age were sown for a total of 96 individuals. Average values of height, diameter, leaf area, root length and leaf quality were analysed, obtaining better results for all the variables in the intervened forest plots, contrary to expectations. However, It is concluded that, due to the soil composition, luminosity and the state of growth in which they were sown, the individuals of Dictyocaryum lamarckianum can also develop themselves in intervened areas, when they have reached an average age of 1.5 years and diameters higher than 0.4cm.