RCAAP Repository

Genetic selection has been practiced by the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) method using phenotypic records. A first proposal for enhancement of the efficiency of this procedure was the marker assisted selection (MAS). Later, another method called genome wide selection - GWS was reported, which presents high accuracy for the selection based exclusively on markers, after predicting their genetic effects from phenotypic data in a sample of the population of selection. GWS is excellent for low heritable traits, while MAS is not. This paper presents the GWS methodology and simulates a case of its application, aiming at emphasizing its advantages over MAS. The relation between traditional BLUP and genomic BLUP is also detailed as well as the sample size required for precise estimation of the genetic values of the markers. Results revealed that the GWS can be worthy for genetic improvement. Practical experience is much needed to infer about its effectiveness.

Superficial water quality was monitored in plantation areas with exotic species (Pinus taeda e Pinus ellioti) in Joinville coutry, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between September 2005 and July 2006. The results, obtained in the monitoring area through the comparison of different forested catchments of different forestry ages, were compared with the ones of the native forest. The parameters used in monitoring were temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), oxygen biochemist demand (OBD), total solids dissolved (TSD), turbidity, and thermo tolerant coliforms (TC). The most significant result was: an average increase of 0,4 units of pH, 42 NMP/100 mL of TC, comparing the water quality in the entrance and exit of the forestry. It had greater stability at temporal and spatial variation in pH values in the oldest forestry. Preliminary, this research showed that the silviculture does not considerably intervene in the superficial water quality.

The present study was developed to characterize the chemical properties of the soil under peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) plantations at 24, 39 and 48 months old, and to quantify the heart-of-palm  production on a local industrial scale (packaged in various forms in glass jars). The experiment was set up in two areas, located along the Alexandra-Matinhos Road (km 7 and km 10) near Paranaguá county, State of Paraná, Brazil, in March of 2001. Randomized blocks were used as statistical design, having 100 plants per sample, with four  treatments and six replicates. Treatments considering spacing and plant density were: 3 m x 1 m ; 2 m x 1 m ; 2.0 m x 1 m x 1 m and 1.5 m x 1 m x 1 m. Peach palm plants were fertilized at plantation stablishment and at 6 ; 9 ; 12 ; 18 ; 21 and 45 months after planting, totalizing 86 ; 47,8 and 67,5 g per plant of N, P and K, respectively. Dolomite lime was placed between rows at a level of 16 kg, corresponding to 2 ton.ha-1. The results showed that: (i) fertilization with N, P and K and the application of lime changed soil chemical characteristics; (ii) density between 5,000 and 6,666 plants.ha-1 presented bigger heart-of-palm production, in the successive harvests.

The extrativism method, inappropriate management and the reduction of mate tree populations has resulted in the loss potencial of relevant specimens for future genetic improvement. Few are the techniques and studies, focused on the restoration of degraded mate tree plantations, in order to recover vegetative samples of mature trees. So, an experiment was installed in São Mateus Country, Paraná State-BR, in a mate weakened population whose trees aged approximately 40 years. The objective was to evaluate the efficiency of bark girdling, combined to different pruning intensities, on the sprouting at the base of the  trunk of weakened mate trees. A bark ring of 1 cm width, at 20 cm from the base, was removed. Additionally the crown was submitted to three pruning intensities: T0, control (no pruning); T40, 40 % crown pruning and T70, 70 % of crown pruning. The trees were grouped into five blocks, with six trees each, considered a block totalizing 30 mate trees. Mortality, number and length of the basal sprouts per tree were evaluated. After 270 days from the girdling procedure no mortality has been detected. The 70 % pruning intensity induced a greater number of sprouts per plant. Even being weakened mate trees, showed high healing capacity of the removed bark ring, indicating the technical

The aim of this work was to test the viability of microwave digestion for the colorimetric determination of silicon in foliar tissues of wood species. In the test, the correlation coefficient was 0.998 in the concentration range of 0.4 to 7 mg.g-1. Spiked cellulose samples were used and the recovery was high than 90 % in two tested concentrations (2 e 4 mg.g-1). The obtained coefficients of variation were equal to 4.2 % and 7.0 % for espinheira santa (Maytenus ilicifolia) and eucalipto (Eucalyptus benthamii), respectively. The microwave-induced digestion was compared to autoclave-induced digestion by interlaboratorial test, with relative errors smaller than 17 % in all tested samples (n=10). Based on these results, the microwave digestion of foliar tissues samples of wood species showed to be an alternative to determination of silicon by colorimetric method performed at a wavelength of 410 nm.

The present study was developed aiming to evaluate the variations in the structure and the dynamics of Amazonian estuarine floodplain forest, in three places (Bailique, Igarapé Fortaleza eandAracu River) along the north arm of the Amazon River, in two measurements. The samples were installed in areas of forest that had a good state of repair. In 2001/02 three permanent sample plots were installed with size of 100 m x 100 m, divided in ten sub-plots with 20 m x 50 m, and in 2006/07 a new measurement was done to evaluate the changes, with minimum inclusion CAP of 15 cm. The families number remained the same in the Bailique (20), in the igarapé Fortaleza (26) and had reduction in the Aracu river from 27 to 25 families; the species number reduced in the three places: 39 for 37, 49 for 48 and 50 for 47; the absolute density (trees per hectare) increased in the Bailique (17),reduced in the Aracu river (50) and in the igarapé Fortaleza (151); the basal area (m2/ha) increased in the Bailique (1.97), in Aracu river (2.90) and reduced in the igarapé Fortaleza (5,64); the mixture quotient of Jentsch remained the same in the Aracu river (01:18), reduced in the Bailique (01:19 from 01:20) and increased in the igarapé Fortaleza (01:21 for 01:18); the biggest ingrowth occurred in the Bailique, with 31 açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.); the biggest  reductions occurred with the death of 33 murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru Mart.) in the Aracuriver and 46 E. oleracea in the igarapé Fortaleza; the species of better sociological position in the forest was E.oleracea.

The main purpose of this work was to estimate soil physical characteristics that are time consuming, developing mathematical models based on others characteristics obtained routinely on soil laboratories. Thirteen soils were selected varying from 40 to 590 g  kg-1 of clay content. From these soils, undisturbed and bulk samples were obtained at 5 cm to 15 cm soil layer, and determined in laboratory, chemical (sorptive complex, pH and potential acidity) and physical (bulk density, dessorption curve and porosities)  characteristics. Correlation was established among optimum soil water  content and soil water at field capacity and the chemical and physical  soil characteristics obtained. The soil characteristic that showed the  highest correlation coefficient with optimum water content (r = 0.93)  and with water at field capacity (r = 0.93) was the average soil particle  diameter (ASPD). This soil attribute can be obtained from most soil  surveys existing in Brazil and it is the sum of the multiplication of  average particle diameter of four particle classes to their soil content.  Soil water content at -1500 kPa was also well correlated to ASPD; this  allows calculating the amount of available water for plants.

There is little knowledge about the vegetative propagation of Ilex  paraguariensis, mainly in relation to the minicutting technique and  rooting environmental aspects. This study aimed to evaluate the initial  rooting environment in relation to the survival, shoot vigor and  minicuttings rooting of this species. The experiment was conducted in  a completely randomized design, under a factorial arrange (3x2), with  three clones (A7, A21 and A35) and two rooting environments (simple greenhouse - without control of temperature and humidity; and automatized greenhouse - with automatized control). The minicutting  survival in the exit of greenhouses and in the exit of shadow house  was not influenced by the tested environments, with 51.8 % to 71.9 %  of survival variation. The A7 and A21 clones did not present  significative difference in relation to rooting, with averages of 49.1 %  and 46.4 %, respectively. However, the A35 clone showed the best  development (62.5 % of rooting) when it was cultivated under  automatized greenhouse condition. The automatized greenhouse  favored not only the characteristics leaf and shoot numbers, but also  the shoot length. The minicutting technique for I. paraguariensis may  be considered viable in both evaluated rooting environments, which  presented similar results.

Community of arboreal ants associated with the pequizeiro (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) in the remnant of cerrado goiano (State of Goiás, Brazil) was surveyed in the trunk of these plants, using bait based on sardine and soy oil. During one year, in the four climatic seasons, consecutive collects of the ants were accomplished. A total of 32  species was collected during the studuy period. Myrmicinae and  Formicinae were the most frequently subfamilies found. Significant  difference was verified in the composition of the arboreal ants community along the investigated climatic seasons. Significant  correlation was not verified between size of the trees and richness of  ant species associated to the pequizeiro

This work objective was to estimate wood production, CO2 stocks and economical profitability, including carbon credits sale from pasture  associated eucalyptus and pine plantations. For each species, two experimental plots were used, all installed at natural pasture land in  Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul State. Experimental plots were submitted  to three treatments: two of them with silvipasture systems at triple tree lines, with both species at 3.0 m x 1.5 m intervals, the first of which with a 14 m corridor (between triple lines) for animal feeding and, the second with a 34 m corridor; the third treatment consisted of isolated cultivation of both tree species, with 3.0 x 3.0 m intervals. Thinning and 21 years final cutting were simulated for all treatments. Trees showed positive economical returns at all tested systems, with profitability after the 7 years thinning operation. Carbon credits sales can turn the forest component attractiveness up, especially when the income generated is considered since the project start.

The assessment of the quality of clearwood produced in pruned plantations of pine is necessary, especially to set price and know the utilization potential. The pruned log index (PLI), index used in Chile and New Zealand to characterize the quality of the logs, is a function of measurable variables of each log as diameter with defects, diameter 1.3 m from the largest end and the ratio between the cylinder volume common to the entire length of the log and the scaling volume through the method Smalian. This study aims at evaluating the ITP usage for slash pine (Pinus elliottii) logs at the age 24 years and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) at 19, harvestedin the regions of Ibaiti, Paraná, and Itapeva, São Paulo. The PLI values did not exceed 2.3, which  indicates that there is little clearwood on the logs. This has been proven through the veneering results, in which the potentially clear volume in relation to the log volume ranged between 52% and 55%, but 10.3% at the maximum, was turned into clearwood veneer. The slicing procedure in the lathe proved to be suitable, since it allowed the diameter of the knotty core to be measured as soon as the knot came out. The PLI showed itself as applicable for the Brazilian conditions.

The need for new products requires the use of local raw material, which is either processed rudimentarily, such as the heart of Cordyline spectabilis Kunth & Bouché, or sometimes not processed at all. The aim of this work was to store the heart of Cordyline spectabilis from the municipality of Campo Largo, state of Parana, Brazil, as canned food and evaluate the nutritional value. The residue obtained from this process was used to make flour. The nutritional composition of both products was determinade. Their chemical compositions, pH levels and acidity were also checked for quality and conservation. The canned uvarana heart featured high protein levels (4.68 g 100 g-1) and the flour presented high levels of fibre (69.11 g 100g-1). Both products presented low calorie levels (58.39 and 59.72 kcal 100 g-1, respectively), which suggests an interesting source of vitamin for food industry.

The twig girdler beetles are known for damaging many tree species. These beetles girdle branches and use them to lay their eggs and complete the offspring development. The objective of this work was to describe the occurrence of a case of O. dejeanii girdling Pyrus pyrifolia (pear tree) branches. Three girdled branches of P. pyrifolia were collected and on two of these were captured a female of this twig-girdler beetle on each. The diameter and average length of the branches were 3.47±0.15 cm and 3.31±0.17 m, respectively. The lower third of the girdled branch has presented 52% of the posture incisions. A female was observed performing two postures along the branch, which took 10 and 13 minutes. O. dejeanii uses P. pyrifolia as alternative host, with potential to become pest and reduce output. doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.62.153

Soil water repellency has been reported worldwide being most extremes cases observed in sandy soils. Soil  water repellency is accepted to be caused by recovering  of soil particles by hydrophobic compounds originated  from plant decomposition. This work aimed to evaluate  the influence of concentration of hydrophobic extracts  from a forest soil under Pinus taeda on water repellency  of sandy soil with different organic matter  content. Hydrophobic compounds were extracted from a  everely hydrophobic Lithosol, using chloroform:acetone, followed by isopropanol:ammonia. The water drops penetration time test (WDPT) was applied in dried samples under four temperatures, seven treatments (sand with 0%; 3%; 6.5%; 6.5% + 10% of humic acid (AH); 6,5% + 30% of AH; 6.5% + 50% of AH; and 10% of charcoal as organic matter), and three levels of hydrophobic extract. The extracted material induced hydrophobicity in all treatments, in variable intensity, but lower than those found in the original Lithosol. Treatments with extract level 1 (2.88 g kg-1) presented the highest times of water repellency.

Likelihood ratio tests (LRT) were applied in an unbalanced provenance/progeny test of mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil.). The trial was established in a randomized complete block design with seven provenances, 140 half sib families, ten blocks and six plants per linear plot. The spacing was 3 m x 2 m. The following conclusions were obtained from the deviance analysis (Anadev): all random effects and associated variance components and coefficients of determination (heritability and coefficients of determination of plots and provenances) were significant; there is enough genetic variability in both within and between provenance levels which can be adequately explored for breeding purposes.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.62.157

This work aimed at estimating genetic parameters from the vegetative stage in five populations from Jatropha curcas L. The half sib progenies were cultivated at Biojan farm, in Janaúba, MG. Plant height, stem diameter, number of branches and crown projection were assessed in all plants at three and six months old. In population 2, there was no genetic variability for all traits evaluated. The genetic gains estimated with the selection from the ten best individuals in other populations were 4% to 8% for plant height (population 1 and 4), 5% to 7% for stem diameter (population 1 and 5), 14% to 25% for the number or branches (population 3 and 5) and 9% for crown projections in population 4. According to the results obtained from this study, these populations are adequate for the continuity of the breeding program of this species in the region.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.25

The teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) wood properties direct an intense process of domestication and plantation outside its original habitat. The interest in the species as an alternative for the traditional forest plantations in Brazil is growing. This review contributes with the recovery of technical and scientific information regarding teak aiming the subsequent proposition of a genetic breeding program. In this paper it is presented a brief review of the silvicultural methods for the species in Brazil. The positive perspectives and the main risks related to the teak plantation were explored. In  general, in the most recent genetic improvement  programs the employment of clones was a common strategy. The initial emphasis of the improvement programs were the growth rate and wood property (generally density). As for other species the proper choice of the selection methods resides in observing the genetic variances (additive and non-additive), herdability (broad and narrow), and the genetic correlations among characters. As in other forest  breeding programs the conversion of progeny tests in seedling seed orchards is common for a faster seed production and development of commercial clonesor clonal seed orchards.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.63.217

The understanding of soil carbon stabilization processes can be very useful in the development of mitigation techniques for CO2 emissions and global warming. The greater the hydrophobicity of soil organic matter the more stabilized soil organic carbon. Therefore,  hydrophobicity can be a sensitive index to characterize the ‘quality’ of soil organic matter. In this context, the present work aimed to characterize the chemical  structures of humic acids collected at three different depths in a hydrophobic Entisol (Neossolo) under  loblolly plantation. The results of spectroscopic and chemical analyses (UV-Vis, fluorescence, EPR and X-ray diffractometry) indicated that, as soil depth increased, so did the content of conjugated organic structures, aromatic groups, and free organic radicals, leading to higher humification indices. Aliphatic groups in these fractions were more concentrated in the surface layer than in deeper ones, which can be explained by the constant input of litter. The greater hydrophobicity of the surface soil sample was due to these non-humic components of the organic matter, as suberin and cutin.

Caivas are remnants areas of Mixed Ombrophylous Forest, whose inferior stratum is composed of native pastures used for animal consume. The aim of this work was to evaluate the structure and floristic  composition of five caivas areas. Plots of one hectare were used. Every individual with DBH ≥ 5 cm were measured and identified. The parameters of density, frequency, dominance, Importance Value (IV) were calculated. These results showed 24 families and 52 species. The families with the higher number of species were Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Aquifoliaceae and Sapindaceae and with the higher number of individuals were Myrtaceae, Araucariaceae, Aquifoliaceae and Lauraceae. The Shannon diversity index value showed high floristic diversity in the caivas and the Sorensen index showed floristic similarity among the five caivas areas. Araucaria angustifolia, Myrcia sp. Ocotea porosa, Cinnamodendron dinisii and Ilex paraguariensis were the five most important species based on Importance Value. The results confirmed that the caivas areas represent an important reservoir of native tree species, although they were being management for a long time.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.303

The objective of this study was to assess variability of Pinus taeda L. growth in function of the soil physical characteristics. The soils data were obtained from a detailed mapping, in the scale 1:10,000, in two areas of the Forest Company – Battistella Florestal, located in the states of Santa Catarina and Parana. Data on forestry growth was collected from continuous forest inventory, obtained from a population growing on an area of 2,252 ha. On a commercial Pinus taeda plantation 28 plots (CFIP) were selected with trees of different growing rate and they were divided in two similar groups of different ages: 12 and 13/14 years. Sites with older trees and soil with greater clay content showed trees with greater annual mean increment. There was a positive correlation among tree wood volume, soil macroporosity and aeration porosity on both soil depths, mainly for sites with trees of 12 years of age. Correlation among tree wood volume and soil microporosity, actual soil moisture and available soil moisture was negative, probably due to slower soil drainage on an area with no drought periods. Soils with similar contentes of clay and sand were more productive. doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.37