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Acrocomia aculeata, the macauba palm, is a spiny tropical palm of the Neotropics grown for its oil-rich fruit. It needs full sun, warm conditions and rainfall or supplemental irrigation.
Acrocomia aculeata is a species of palm native to the Neotropics.
Optimal cultivation management for Acrocomia aculeata involves a few key practices to ensure healthy growth and productivity. The palm thrives in soils that are rich in organic matter and nutrients. Therefore, fertilization ensures optimal plant health and productivity. Research suggests approximately 100–150 kg of nitrogen per hectare annually. Fertilizer applications should be split throughout the growing season to match the plant's needs and prevent nutrient loss.
Regarding water management, macauba palms require well-distributed rainfall, but they can tolerate drought periods if provided with supplemental irrigation when needed. For optimal growth, a planting density of 150-200 palms per hectare is recommended to give each plant enough space to grow and bear fruit effectively.
The species is found from southern Mexico and the Caribbean to Brazil, where it inhabits diverse environments such as the Cerrado savanna and the Mata Atlântica rainforest. It also extends into Paraguay and northern Argentina, thriving in environments ranging from grasslands to subtropical forests.
Macauba oil and by-products are used in biodiesel production, cosmetics, food, and other bio-based products, contributing to sustainable agriculture and rural economies.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Acrocomia aculeata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
