The arrowroot is considered a non-conventional vegetable which has aroused interest in the food industry because of its starch content with differentiated characteristics and high commercial value. However, agronomic management information is scarce, making it difficult to compete with other species of similar purpose, and more studies are needed regarding the crop. The aim of this study was to define adequate agronomic practices in crop aiming the productivity the rhizome, yield the starch of arrowroot. The factors evaluated were the different levels of irrigation, the planting and the plant densities. The randomized block design was used in the field trial while the totally randomized block design was used in the laboratory tests. Through the treatments, crop yield ranged from 0.68 (seedlings; without irrigation; 31250 plants ha-1) to 60.09 t ha-1 (seedlings; irrigated; 31250 plants ha-1), while starch production ranged from 50 to 6350 kg ha-1. The highest yield of rhizomes was obtained in plants produced by seedlings along with the highest density of plants, and the highest production of arrowroot starch was extracted from rhizomes from plants produced by seedlings without irrigation and a density of 50000 plants ha-1 .

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Arrowroot rhizomes are rich in carbohydrate and are commonly grown by family farmers who have an important source of income in this activity and play a prominent role in the conservation of the species. There are few studies on the phytotechnical aspects of culture. The objective of this work was to evaluate the productive capacity of the ‘common’ arrowroot using different sizes and forms of propagation, aiming at the production of rhizomes and arrowroot starch, in different agricultural crops. The experimental design was the randomized block in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with 6 replicates. Four types of rhizome propagation (rhizomes-seeds of small size with a weight of 20 to 30 g; rhizomes-seeds of average weight between 30.01 to 45 g; rhizomes-seeds of large size weighing between 45.01 a 60 g, and seedlings produced in tissue culture), in two agricultural years (2015/2016 and 2016/2017). The variables total production, number of rhizomes, extraction yield and total starch production were evaluated. The type of propagule used interfered in the yield of rhizomes (9.85 to 34.75 t ha-1) and in the production of arrowroot starch (1.76 to 7.68 t ha-1). The vegetative propagation with pieces of rhizomes-seeds between 20 and 60 g was more viable than the micropropagation technique. Although the soil and climate conditions showed differences between the agricultural crops studied, they did not significantly influence the yield of rhizomes and arrowroot starch, by the type of propagule used.

The use of unconventional edible plants in human food has grown more widespread in recent years, driven mainly by gourmet dishes. Evidence of the food properties of these species is still scarce. Aiming to obtain more in-depth knowledge of dahlia plants, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, bioactive, and antinutritional properties of the edible parts of purple dahlia (tuberous root and flower) to elucidate their value and safety as foods. The percent composition, caloric value, pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Total Titratable Acidity (TTA), ratio of TSS to TTA, anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin C, total phenolics, tannins, nitrates, and minerals of the roots and flowers were analyzed. The inulin content in the root and the color of the flower were also evaluated. The results were reported as mean and standard deviation, and exploratory factor analysis was performed. Both parts of the dahlia had constituents that contribute to a good diet at concentrations like those in conventional vegetables, whereas the antinutritional components were also compatible with those of commonly consumed foods, with acceptable dietary values. Thus, it is evident that purple dahlia flowers and roots have potential for use in human food and can be considered good options to improve and diversify a healthy diet.

A araruta é uma planta rizomatosa, pertencente à ordem Zingiberales. A espécie é considerada rústica, proveniente da América Latina e se encontra de forma nativa nas matas venezuelanas. Há carência de estudos científicos com a cultura, principalmente com relação ao cultivo e conservação pós-colheita. Diante disso, objetivou-se com esse trabalho verificar a viabilidade da produção de mudas de araruta do tipo Comum e Seta em função do tempo e temperatura de armazenamento de rizomas. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 x 3, sendo os fatores estudados dois tipos de araruta, três temperaturas e três épocas de armazenamento. Durante o armazenamento foi avaliada a massa dos rizomas e após o período de estocagem os rizomas foram utilizados para produção de mudas. Não é viável o armazenamento de rizomas de araruta a baixas temperaturas para produção de mudas. O mais adequado é o armazenamento em temperatura ambiente. O tempo de armazenamento dos rizomas influencia na brotação, sendo que as mudas oriundas de rizomas armazenados a trinta dias obtiveram 100% de brotação, após esse período à brotação de rizomas é reduzida.