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Abstract
Objective: To characterize the morphology of natural populations of Acrocomia aculeata in Mexico to determine its potential for the production of oil for biodiesel.Design/morphology/approach: Eight natural populations of the species Acrocomia aculeata were selected in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico. As descriptors 25 quantitative and qualitative characters were selected. The analysis of the main components and hierarchical conglomerates was performed with the PRINCOMP and PROC CLUSTER procedures of SAS, respectively. The dendrogram of groups of populations with morphological similarities was generated.Results: The first three main components explain 69.4% of the total morphological variation. CP1 explained 29.6% of the total variation with the characters stem diameter, mesocarp thickness, seed length, seed width, seed length-width ratio, seed thickness and seed weight.CP2 explained 26.1% of the variation, with the characters fruit width, fruit length, mesocarp color, and oil content in the mesocarp. CP3 explained 13.7% of the variation with the length of the rachis, epicarp color and endocarp color. The eight populations were integrated into five morphologically distinct groups.Limitations on the study/implications: It is necessary to expand the number of populations for greater precision on the diversity of the species in Mexico.Findings/conclusions: A wide genetic diversity of A. culeata was found. The variables that mostly explain this diversity correspond to the fruit and seed. The species represents a viable alternative for obtaining inputs for the production of biodiesel in Mexico.