The impact of reproductive output on Prosopis denudans pod partition and chemical compsityion: implications for economic utilization

AGUERO, CARIAGA, FERRAI, RAVETTA AND VILELA

ECONOMIC BOTANY

Año: 2006 p. 291 - 295

0013-0001

Reproductive output affects theweight of Prosopis denudans pods and the pericarp:seed ratio. Low-yield individuals producedfruits with a higher proportion of mesocarp, theuseful fraction for the food industry. As the costof flour production greatly depends on this relativeamount of mesocarp, during years of heavyfructification, pod thinning could be an optionto decrease industrial costs. The chemical qualityof flour would not be affected by this practice.Nevertheless, the seasonal availability andthe cost of labor should be evaluated before thepractice of thinning can be recommended.