Phytotechnical management and its relationship with rhizomas productivity and quality of arrowroot

Abstract

Brazil is considered the holder of the greatest biological diversity on the planet, with a total of biological species estimated at 1.8 million, which shows that we know very little of our own biological diversity. Many plant species are neglected as is the case of unconventional vegetables, which are species rarely found on the market. Usually only used for family purposes andare directed to the restricted cultivation of some localities, mainly as a consequence of the food culture spread between generations, as is the case of arrowroot. As a result of various factors throughout history it has become underutilized, and somewhat overlooked by the population. The main characteristic of the species is the high starch content extracted from the rhizomes, which contains a nutritional composition of 11.9% water, 0.58% ash, 25.9% amylose, 0.14% protein, 84% fat, 8.7% insoluble dietary fiber and 5.0% soluble dietary fiber. Products from this species are becoming popular due to the absence of gluten, being mainly recommended for the consumption of coeliacs. Despite the growing demand for these products, there is little market supply due to the lack of knowledge of the producers in conducting the species cultivar. Thus, it is of fundamental importance phytotechnical studies such as fertilization, spacing, water management, harvesting season, pest, disease and weed control, and its effects on the production of rhizomes and arrowroot starch,since culture has potential to be exploited in Brazilian agribusiness, especially in family agriculture. In view of the above, the objective of this thesis was to develop studies on the phytotechnicalmanagement of arrowroot, as well as to verify its effects on crop productivity and the chemical characteristics of the product obtained in the rhizomes processing.