Efecto del espaciamiento de plantación en la morfometría de copa de Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl. (castaña) en la Amazonía Peruana.

The main aim of this research study is to assess the effect of plant spacing on vegetative development and crown morphometry of Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl. (Brazil nut) in the Peruvian Amazon. Two 16-year-old plantations with different initial spacings are examined by measuring the dasometric variables of 474 B. excelsa trees to calculate five morphometric crown indices. The results show that the highest vegetative development is found in trees with the smallest initial spacing. Diameter and height are negatively correlated with slenderness rate and salience index while coverage index and crown shape have a negative correlation with diameter. Tree development and crown morphometry of B. excelsa are significantly affected by initial spacing. In conclusion, plant spacing is an important parameter for establishing and managing B. excelsa plantations in the Peruvian Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]