REVIEW ON THE SPECIES Dipteryx Alata Vogel: POTENTIAL USE AND SILVICULTURAL ASPECTS

Abstract

Dipteryx alata Vogel (baru) is a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado with high socioeconomic, nutritional and environmental potential. However, despite its wide distribution and regional importance, technical-scientific information on the silvicultural, ecological and technological aspects of the species is still scarce and scattered, limiting its adoption in reforestation programs, agroextractivism and sustainable production chains. This study aimed to gather, organize and systematize the knowledge available in the literature on the main aspects related to the cultivation, management, potential uses and challenges associated with the exploitation of D. alata. For this, a comprehensive bibliographic review was carried out, using scientific databases, books and technical documents, addressing national and international publications. The results demonstrate that baru has high adaptability to different edaphoclimatic conditions, standing out for its ecological importance in the conservation of biodiversity and for the production of fruits with high nutritional and commercial value. Technological advances in the processing, storage and use of waste, including the production of solid biofuels, were also identified. However, there are still gaps in knowledge about silvicultural practices, genetic improvement and economic viability in commercial plantations, especially in regions such as Maranhão. It is concluded that baru has great potential to be integrated into environmental recovery and income generation programs in agroextractive communities, requiring the intensification of applied research and the development of public policies that encourage its production and sustainable management.