Sum. (En, Es)

Tesis (Mag.Sc.) - CATIE, Turrialba (Costa Rica), 1998

Incluye 35 referencias bibliográficas en las páginas 79-81

Carludovica palmata es una hierba perenne de la familia Cyclanthaceae. Con el fin de determinar las condiciones ambientales en los cuales se distribuye la especie, se establecieron transectos de muestreo en parches naturales de Carludovica palmata localizados en Costa Rica y Panamá. En cada transecto se caracterizaron las condiciones topográficas, la vegetación e iluminación. Se establecieron parcelas circulares de 50 m2 cada 10 m para determinar la estructura poblacional, densidades y dimensiones de individuos de C. palmata. Esta misma metodología se aplicó en poblaciones cultivadas (en Honduras), para evaluar bajo qué condiciones ambientales fue mejor la producción de candelas. Para determinar los efectos de la cosecha de candelas en una población natural de C. palmata, se estableció un ensayo de podas experimentales dividido en dos fases: en la primera se practicaron dos intensidades de poda (0 y 100%) en plantas productivas de cinco categorías de tamaño; en la segunda se practicaron tres intensidades de poda (0, 50 y 100%) sobre plantas productivas de una categoría de tamaño. Estos tratamientos fueron realizados mensualmente durante un periodo de 8 meses. Se evaluaron los efectos de los tratamientos en el crecimiento y reproducción de la planta y el tiempo de emergencia, producción y dimensiones de las nuevas candelas. La estructura poblacional de los parches naturales mostró en general una distribución de "J" invertida (con altas tasas de regeneración y mortalidad de juveniles), se observaron algunos parches con poblaciones en decadencia. Los individuos de tallas mayores, el mayor porcentaje de cobertura de la especie y de producción de candelas se encontraron en sitios con terrenos planos y bases de ladera y en vegetación tipo "charral" con doseles bajos (0-10 m). Las condiciones con iluminación lateral fueron las que presentaron un mayor porcentaje de individuos. Se recomienda que la cosecha se realice durante los meses de junio a septiembre que es cuando está la mayor producción de hojas y cosechar preferentemente individuos de tamaños mayores. Es mejor cosechar a intensidad del 50%. Se recomienda utilizar terrenos planos húmedos y con estratos bajos de vegetación para el cultivo de la especie.

Carludovica palmata is a perennial herb of the Cyclanthacea family. From the candles (sheet of the young uninvolved leafs) the fiber is extracted and used for the manufacturing of hats and hand-crafted baskets in diffeent sites in the tropical America. Although this species has an economic importance there still does not exist strategies for a sustainable use of these recourses. This type of management requires of previously information about biologic-ecological patters and besides this the knowledge of the susceptibility grade of the species caused by different extraction intensities. To determine the environmental conditions in which the species is distributed, transect of samples were established in natural patches in Costa Rica and Panama where C. palmata is localized. In each transect the topographic conditions, vegetation and illumination have been characterized. Round parcels of 50 m2 were installed every 10 m to determine the populating structure, density and dimension of the C. palmata individuals. The same methodology was applicated in cultivated populations (in Honduras) to evaluate under which environmental conditions the production of candle was the best. To determine the effects the candle harvest in a natural population of C. palmata, a test with experimental pruning divided in two phases was established. In the first phase the intensities of pruning (0 and 100 percent) in productive plants of five size categories were practiced. In the second three pruning intensities (0, 50 and 100 percent) in productive plants of one size category was practiced. These treatments were realized monthly during a period of eight months. The effects of the treatments on the growing and reproduction of the plants, the production and dimensions of the new candles were evaluated. The population structure of the natural patches demonstrated in general a distribution of hihg rate of regeneration and mortality of young plants, in some patches a high mortality of adult plants was observed. The tallest individuals, the highest percentage of covering of the species and the production of candles were found in sites with plane areas and bases of slopes, in charral vegetation type with low canopies (0-10 m). The condition with lateral illumination were those which presented the highest percentage of individuals. During the eight months of sampling the effects of the treatments on growth and reproduction of the plants were evident for the reduction of the number of old leaves and the increase of the fruit production. The treatments did not have significant effects in the time of emergency, production and dimension of the new candles. These characteristics depend on the size of the plant. Probably the specie has sufficient reserves to replace the losses of foliar area caused by pruning or the time of the sampling was not long enough to finish the total effects of the experimental pruning. It is recommended that the harvest should be done during the months of June to September during the highest leaf production and for harvesting individuals of the biggest sizes should be preferred. It is better to harvest with an intensity of 50 percent. For the cultivation of this species plane humid areas with low vegetation should be used.

Obra escrita en español con resumen en inglés