The Introduction and Use of Feijoa or Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana): Perspective of environmental history

Abstract

The feijoa (Acca sellowiana), also known as feijoa, is a native fruit species of the Brazilian southern highlands and northern Uruguay. In Brazil, the species is nature from Biome Pampa and Atlantic Forest in the latter vegetation type in the Araucaria Forest. The feijoa was introduced in other countries outside their natural area of occurrence. The objective of this study is to analyze the process of introduction and use of feijoa inside and outside of their natural range. Part of the Environmental History to study the relationships of men and women with the environment in this way, the study of the domestication of feijoa fits in this context. Even though Brazil is the main area of natural occurrence of feijoa, still imports of fruits produced in Colombia, which is the largest exporter of fruit. In Brazil, the species has recently has excelled in terms of research and use. The fruit already well known and used outside of Brazil, is gaining momentum in the national scene, enabling the maintenance of a native species and helping in the conservation of the forest to which it belongs.

Keywords: Feijo; Domestication of Plants; Uses of Natural Resources.