Resumen

CASTILLO-QUILIANO, Andrés  y  DOMINGUEZ-TORREJON, Gilberto. Evaluation of the "dragon’s blood" (Croton lechleri) latex production, taking into consideration its diameter and four periods of rainfall in natural populations from Ucayali, Peru. Ecol. apl. [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.2, pp.61-69. ISSN 1726-2216.

Dragon´s blood latex (Croton lechleri Muell.Arg), is extracted and commercialized in Perú and it largely comes from natural populations in the Amazon´s secondary forests. Each tree latex production has been scarcely studied, in spite of the fact that this information is essential for determining crop shifts and profitability of plantations. This study was aimed at determining the volume of latex production. The knocked over and bleeding method was applied, taking into account the following diameter ranges at the height of the chest (DAP): 15-20, 21-25, 26-30 and > 30 cm; and at four latex extraction periods determined by rainfall levels: end of rainfall (May), dry period (September), beginning of rainfall (December) and middle of rainfall (March). The study was conducted with the participation of secondary forest farmer from Ucayali and Mariscal Cáceres regions. It was found out that the volume of latex production is directly proportional to the diameter of the tree and to the variation of the rainfall levels. The existence of a high variability in the latex production per tree, among and within each the four diameter ranges was found. Additionally the presence of three varieties of latex differentiated by their organoleptic characteristics such as color (red blood, wine-purple color and ochre) and density were observed. Latex harvesting from December to May is recommended, because they are the months of highest production. Phytochemical studies related to the presence of active ingredients are also recommended.

Palabras clave : Dragon blood; Croton; Croton lechleri; latex extraction; latex production; latex performance.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )