Ten years from propagule to mature plant of Butia purpurascens Glassman : uma palmeira endemica e ameacada de extincao do Cerrado brasileiro

With occurrence mainly in the southwest Goias, Butia purpurascens has fruits and leaves widely extracted by the regional population. Coexists with exotic grasses, frequent burnings and cattle's grazing and trampling. Young individuals are rarely seen. We aim to provide information about propagules, seedling formation and the monitoring of saplings of B. purpurascens until adults in reproductive phase. Fruits were selected, measured and benefited after harvest. Of 6,000 fruits collected 3,112 were discarded for being perforated by Conotrachelus weevils. The experiment divided 2,600 fruits into 13 treatments, distributed in ripe and immature fruits, with and without pulp. In addition, we adopt mechanical and chemical break dormancy mechanisms, different storage periods and seeding depths. After sixteen months of monitoring, the formation of eleven seedlings was obtained without distinction of any treatment. Seedlings and saplings developed slowly, taking two years to emit the first metaphyll. Over time, ten individuals died, most from fungal attack. After ten years, the only surviving palm generated two inflorescences, which produced fruit. The inefficient seedling production and the slow development of saplings, combined with the impact of the extractivism and the high rate of predation of the pyrenes, suggest the low recruitment rate of the species observed, in natural conditions. This type of data is one of the important tools for creating guidelines for the species conservation. Therefore, we suggest considering the reclassification of B. purpurascens as a Critically Endangered species in the Official List of Threatened Brazilian Species of Extinction. Keywords: conservation, critically endangered species, palm tree, propagation, seedlings. Com ocorrencia concentrada no sudoeste goiano, Butia purpurascens tem frutos e folhas amplamente extraidos pela populacao regional. Coexiste com gramineas exoticas, queimadas frequentes, alem do pastejo e pisoteamento por gado. Os individuos jovens raramente sao vistos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo fornecer informacoes sobre propagulos, formacao de plantulas e monitoramento de individuos jovens de B. purpurascens ate adultos em fase reprodutiva. Os frutos foram selecionados, medidos e beneficiados apos a colheita. Dos 6.000 frutos coletados, 3.112 foram descartados por estarem perfurados por gorgulhos do genero Conotrachelus. O experimento dividiu 2.600 frutos em 13 tratamentos, distribuidos em frutos maduros e im