RESUMOO cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) é um importante recurso genético para o povo da Amazônia, porque produz frutos tradicionalmente utilizados como alimento, medicamento e cosméticos. Por se tratar de um excelente produto para o agronegócio, aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a espécie, será uma contribuição de grande valia para a sociedade da região. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de caracterizar e avaliar o potencial de diferentes etnovariedades (ETNs) por meio de descritores agronômicos e minerais dos seus frutos. O Experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental de Hortaliças do INPA, em Manaus, em solo Podzólico vermelho-amarelo, álico, textura arenosa e de baixa fertilidade. Adotou-se um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com 28 tratamentos (as ETNs) em quatro repetições. Os seguintes descritores agronômicos e minerais dos frutos foram avaliados: forma dos frutos, número de frutos, comprimento do fruto, largura do fruto, peso médio do fruto, espessura da polpa, potássio, zinco, manganês, sódio, ferro, magnésio e cálcio. As análises de variância detectaram diferenças significativas entre as etnovariedades para todos os caracteres. As 28 ETNs puderam ser classificadas em nove formatos diferentes de frutos. As plantas produziram em média 4 a 89 frutos, variando em peso de 18,5 a 301 g. Entre os micro-elementos analisados a concentração de ferro variou de 97,3 a 352,7 mg em 100g da polpa in natura. Destacou-se em conteúdo deste elemento, a ETN3, originária de Barcelos (AM). Entre os macro-elementos, o potássio (variando entre 54,6 a 563,5 mg em 100g da polpa in natura) apresentou maior concentração nas 28 ETNs avaliadas. A ETN9, originária de Lábrea (AM), foi a que produziu os frutos mais ricos nesse elemento. De maneira geral, as ETNs estudadas apresentam variabilidade genética ampla para ser explorada em programa de melhoramento do cubiu. PALAVRAS-CHAVESolanaceae, recurso genético, fruto, minerais, melhoramento genético. Characterization and evaluation of the agronomic and nutritional potential of ethnovarieties of cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) in Amazonia ABSTRACT Cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal), is an important genetic resource for the Amazonian people, because its fruit is traditionally usede for food, medicine and cosmetics. As na excellent product for agribusiness, it is important to study the species to contribuite to regional development. The agronomic and nutritional potential of different cubiu ethnovarietes (ETNs

Andiroba (Carapa Procera Aubl) belongs to the Meliaceae family and is a plant of great importance for the traditional medicine in the Amazon. Also, the oil obtained from its seeds is widely used in the cosmetics industry. The following study was carried out at the Tropical Silviculture Experimental Station of the National Institute of Amazon Research (EEST/INPA), where the growth of andiroba seedlings was evaluated using three types of substrates which received daily irrigation, according to the following treatments: T1 = sand/clay; T2 = clay/organic fertilizer and T3 = forest topsoil. The following data were collected monthly: height, neck diameter, and number of leaves. The results showed a non-significant difference with a t-test at a p-value of 0.05 for seedling height. For neck diameter, there was a significant difference, especially in T2 and T3, which presented higher average values, indicating that the use of both commercial organic fertilizer and forest soil which particularly has a high concentration of decomposing organic matter, are beneficial to seedling growth. However, the usage of forest topsoil as a substrate must be taken carefully due to the large amount needed that may harm local ecosystem. Therefore, seedling production with organic substrates is a viable alternative for local producers disposed to produce better quality seedlings.

The historical reciprocity among traditional populations and the usage of biodiversity in natural environments have outlined the Amazon as one of the richest and most complex socio-ecological systems on the planet. Conservation Units (CU's) are effective strategies to protect biodiversity, although the simple creation does not guarantee its efficiency. Conservation depends on the integration between ecological and social aspects of the forest peoples and the management of institutions involved with the use and protection of biodiversity and environment. In this context, Non-Timber Forest Products (NFTPs) are important elements in the culture and subsistence of traditional populations and can represent significant sources of income. Specifically, the açaí palm (Euterpe precatoria) is one of the species that stands out in the Amazon, with high cultural and economic values. Given the importance of the species, this research was carried out using traditional knowledge associated with this palm tree, along with residents of three communities of the RDS Piagaçu Purus, to identify and evaluate the uses of parts of the plant of greatest interest to local communities. Within a two-months period, in 2006, information on the diversity of uses and knowledge of the species were collected. It was applied the method of qualitative-quantitative exploratory research, surveying primary and secondary information. The results showed the great potential of açaí usage, especially the fruit, which is consumed in the form of wine and the root, in popular medicine, indicating that the species is a key resource for families subsistence besides its high economic and social potential.