RCAAP Repository

The present work aimed the characterization of the structure and dynamics of a forest patch belongingto the Ombrophylous Mixed Forest (FOM). Data from 10 permanent plots (25 x 100 m) representing the forestsubtype “predominance of Araucaria”, located at the Forest Reserve Embrapa-Epagri, in Caçador, State of Santa Catarina, were analyzed. Each tree whose girth at breast height (GBH) was equal or larger than 60 cm wasmeasured and identified. Measurements were taken annually from 2004 to 2007, thus allowing the dynamics to be evaluated for this period. The structure was analyzed by estimating phytossociological parameters and indexes and by characterizing the diameter distribution. Forty-one species, gathered into 24 families, were observed. Araucaria angustifolia, Ocotea porosa, Cupania vernalis, Capsicodendron dinisii e Matayba elaeagnoides showed the highest importance value. The distribution of diameter classes was represented by an inverse “J” curve. The Shannon diversity index (H’) was 2.54 for species and 2.22 for families. Most of species presented an uniform distribution, in accordance with McGuinnes index. Jaccard index values practically do not exceed 50 %.The analysis of the dynamics revealed low diameter increments and mortality rates higher than recruitment ones.

It is speculated on the importance of the restoration as a tool for the environmental conservation through the use of nucleation techniques capable to facilitate the sucessional process in degraded areas, involving producers, consumers and decomposers organisms. This proposal shows that the successional processinvolves all the components of the ecosystem, where it stands out the importance of the adjacents vegetationfragments of the areas to be recuperated, in way to create a larger conectivity inside of the involved landscape. It is indicated as nucleate techniques the soil transposition, artificial perches, collection of seeds of nucleate species with maintenance of the genetic variability, planting of seedlings in islands of high diversity and transposition of seed rain. The nucleate techniques should guarantee a larger conectivity with the fragments of the region, propitiating a continuous increase of the biodiversity and resilience in the degraded area, maintaining a dynamic stability.

This paper advocates the adoption of forest management methods that are consistent with theprinciples of sustainable development and respectful of multiple forest use as a means to efficiently revert thefragmentation process of the Mixed Ombrophylous Forest (FOM) or Araucaria Forest. The problems related to this endangered forest type are discussed within the context of progressive land use changes observed in itsregion of natural occurrence. Some concepts of forest management are presented, as well as the new approaches related to the paradigm of sustainability and the focus on other benefits provided by the forest, besides wood products solely. It is also discussed the present trend observed in society, which favors preservation policies, and the obstacles for adopting forest management practices in the FOM. The reasons for the inexpressive role played by the forest component in the incomes of small and medium landowners are analyzed and the rural poverty is considered a determinant factor. The management of the Araucaria Forest based on regulation methodsis proposed as a means of enhancing forest conditions in what concerns its structure, species composition andreproductive capabilities, besides achieving sustainable yields of timber and non-timber products. The maincharacteristics of the use of the selection method are described.

The objective of this paper is to summarize genetic concepts developed for plant population restoration and conservation presenting, additionally, a general plan for  Araucaria angustifolia species in the State of Parana (Brazil). Ecological genetics and landscape ecology principles are being used to develop suitable strategies for habitat conservation and restoration. It is not intended that all restoration plans will be established on the base of these principles, but they should be used as guidelines for the formulation of restoration policies focused on key species. Initially this paper gives information about the species and genetic conservation. Then a review of the impact of fragmentation on plant populations is presented, particular by the genetic consequences. The paper describes also the general guidelines for genetic conservation of Araucaria angustifolia in the State of Parana under landscape principles, multi-takeholders and pro-active activities for plant genetic resources conservation.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency in terms of number of seeds deposited under natural and artificial bird-perches set in degraded areas of Araucaria Forest. Six experimental units were used, each containing seed traps set under natural perches (NP), artificial perches (AP) and under open sky (OS). After 12 months of weekly sampling 26880 zoochoric seeds were collected under AP, 5729 under NP, and only seven under OS. Thus, the presence of perches increases dramatically seed deposition and NP are more or as efficient as AP when the effect of deposition area is taken into account.

Araucaria Forest is one of most threatened phyto-physiognomies in the Atlantic Forest domain,presenting great ecological-economical importance. Nevertheless, there are still lacks of knowledge concerning growth and dynamic of important species, as Araucaria angustifolia. The objective of this work was to recover  the past growth of Araucaria angustifolia, native from Caçador, SC, Brazil, by measuring growth rings and to estimate the average periodic diametric increment. The growth rings were counted and measured, using a stereoscope microscope, in increment cores of 0.5 cm collected from 32 adult trees. The measurements were done with LINTAB measuring table, with 0.01 mm of precision. The samples sizes were irregular, varying from 4.2 to 20.2 cm long. The trees presented average diameter breast height (DBH) of 76.3 cm, varying from 10.7 to 141.3 cm. The periodic diameter increment from the last 10 years was 0.4 cm, varying from 0.11 to 1.15 cm. It was observed differences among trees, but there was a tendency of reduction of growth rhythm in larger trees, being moreevident in trees with more than 110 cm of DBH.

Deforestation has become rampant in recent years in Brazil and has affected all biomes where manyspecies are threatened to extinction due to destruction natural habitats. Government initiatives to hinder thechain of destruction include two main lines of action: to establish conservation units (parks, reserves andothers); and programs to encourage plantation of native tree species for reclamation of degraded ecosystems, restoration of forests on permanent protection areas (riparian, and steep slope environments), and establishment of “legal reserves” (a mandatory forest reserve on at least 20% of the land area). Conservation units are effectivein conserving natural ecosystems. However, they are of limited value for the conservation of ecotypes, sincetheir effectiveness is restricted to within their physical boundaries. Since the majority of ecotypes with criticaladaptive value are found outside the conservation units, complementary measures to encompass these variants are needed. The most promising strategy includes active participation of rural land owners, especially small land holders, since they are settled throughout the country (outside the conservation units). An important aspect of the strategy is to prevent movement of seeds and seedlings over great distances from their origins so that their adaptive traits to specific sites are preserved.

A preliminary study was developed on leaf gas exchange properties of males and females in yerbamate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.), planted in open growth conditions. The photosynthesic photon flux density (PPFD) on leaf level, stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthesis (A), transpiration (E), and leaf temperature (Tl) was measured during the biennial production period: in the summer during the fruit ripening when there is a pause in its growth (January, February), spring  sprouting (November) and autumn sprouting (March, Jun). The measurements have been taken in different tree crown positions (inside, exterior and tips). First indications of sex physiological  dimorphism in yerba-mate have been shown.  Conductance was superior on female plants, with exception on tips, whereas the A and E were superior on females, on the exterior of the third medium of the tree crown. Positive correlations among gas exchange properties and PPFD were established. The seasonality in gas exchange was observed. The maximum gas exchange values were registered in active sprouting whereas the minimum values were registered during fruit ripening, in full summer. A and E were positively correlated with gs for both males and females. The functional strategy of females, aiming to finish the reproductive process, is to proportionate the relative increase of A and E on self-shaded leaves, through the superior gs compared to males.

Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica (L. F.) D. Don.) is an important alternative tree species forwood production in the State of Paraná. This study reports on the performance of this species from different geographic origins in comparison to a previously introduced population of unknown origin. The test plantations were established in three locations in the State of Paraná. The sites differed in soil types as well as in mean annual rainfall. Provenance performances varied in frost tolerance and in growth traits. Among planting sites, Cantagalo was the most productive due to better soil quality than in other sites. Also, the mean annual rainfall at Cantagalo site is higher (1,831 mm) than in Rio Negro and Colombo (1,420 mm and 1,407 mm, respectively). The seed origins with the greatest potential for wood production in the State of Paraná are the Japanese prefectures of Nara, Miyagi, and Shimane, where mean annual temperatures are higher than 12 oC. Seeds brought from cold sites such as Toyama and Akita prefectures resulted in slow growing stands in the State of Paraná.

Reliable evaluation of the stability of genotypes and environment is of prime concern to plant breeders, but the lack of a comprehensive analysis of the structure of the GE interaction has been a stumbling block to the recommendation of varieties. The Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) Model currently offers the good approach to interpretation and  understanding of the GE interaction but lacks a way of assessing the stability of its estimates. The present contribution proposes the use of bootstrap resamplingin the AMMI Model, and applies it to obtain both a graphical and a numerical analysis of the phenotypicstability of 20 Eucalyptus grandis progenies from Australia that were planted in seven environments in the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. The results showed distinct behaviors of genotypes andenvironments and the genotype x environment interaction was significant (p value < 0.01). The bootstrap coefficient of stability based on the squared Mahalanobis distance of the scores showed that genotypes and environments can be differentiated in terms of their stabilities. Graphical analysis of the AMMI biplot provided a better understanding of the interpretation of phenotypic stability. The proposed AMMI bootstrap eliminated the uncertainties regarding the identification of low scores in traditional analyses.

By the assessment of ten technological traits of eucalypt wood for sawn timber and energy purposes,it was developed a multivariate statistical procedure in order to determine the sequence of logs to be sampled, in such a way to represent all statistical variation contained within the tree and, accordingly, to establish the appropriate sampling intensity. In the present work, it was used a total of 40 logs from four trees of Eucalyptus grandis provenance Concórdia-SC aged 18 years. By using principal components regression analysis and stepwise selection techniques, it was showed that only two logs, corresponding to the first (0.05 m to 2.60 m) and fourth (8.85 m to 11.40 m) positions into the tree, contained 99.2 % of the total variation detected originally. In the case of adopting a single log, the recommendation was over the fourth log, which represented 97.5 % of the totalamount of the original variation. For the referred  population, the statistical procedure contributed substantially to reduce the high time-consuming and financial costs that are normally associated to studies oriented to this goal, without affecting the original statistical information exhibited by the whole group of logs that would be usually sampled.

The aim of this study was to assess the taste of beverage prepared from yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves, originated from male and female plants, by taking into account leaf gas exchange and the content of macro-and-trace-elements. Ecophysiological, chemical and sensorial properties were evaluated in one of the sprouting phases and in two fruit ripening phases. Male and female plants did not differ in fresh and dry matter production per plant, nor in the content of micro- and trace elements. However, female plants showed higher leaf net photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) than male plants. The beverage prepared with male plant leaves was less bitter than that prepared with female plant leaves, especially when leaves from the branch tips were used. The intensity of bitterness was positively correlated with Zn and Mg contents in female plants and with Mn content and gs in male plants. The bitterness of the beverage prepared with male plant leaves was negatively correlated with K content. The idea about "masculinization" of yerba-mate stands appeared as a possible solution for the production of yerba-mate of normal to soft taste.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of mineral nutrients on tree growth and wood quality of Pinus taeda, on commercial plantation at 20 years after planting, on different soil types. Experimental plots were set, and from trees representing each population, stem disks were collected at different heights. Treegrowth, wood quality and growth ring parameters – tracheids diameter and radial density by X-ray densitometry – were analyzed and related to mineral nutrient contents. Results showed negative correlation among Mn and Mg stem disk contents and Pinus taeda tree growth; negative correlation was also obtained among Ca, Mg and Mn contents and tracheids dimensions and wood density. There was no correlation among N, P, K and B contents in stem disks and tree growth or wood quality studied variables.  Dendronutrition concept – study of relationship among tree growth parameters and growth rings to mineral nutrient contents in stem – is discussed in this work.

Considering the need for viable options for destination of waste from agricultural and agriindustries activities waste from logging and brewing industries and goat dregs previously composted, with potential foruse as substrates for the production of seedlings of trees were characterized chemically and physically. The treatments had consisted of the following mixtures: S1) commercial product for substratum (Plantmax® Florestal) + pinus bark partially decomposed - PB (1:1); S2) residue of malt with wooden sawdust - WS (1:4); S3) cellulosicmud with WS (1:1); S4) mixture of treatment S3 product with PB (1:1); S5) black-liquor with WS (4:1); S6) blackliquor with WS (3:2); S7) mixture of the product of treatment 6 with PB (1:1); S8) goat dregs. The following variable were evaluated: pH CaCl2; P, C, N, K, Ca, Mg, Al, H+Al and Na concentrations; CEC, Al saturation and C/N; total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, density and available water. The substrates made with mixtures of Plantmax Florestal® + PB (1:1); residue of malt with wooden sawdust - WS (1:4); cellulosic mud with WS (1:1) mixed with PB (1:1) and goat dreg composted can be used in the production of seedlings of forest species tolerant to acidity, adopting the protocols of management recommended, both for irrigation as for fertilization.

Ilex paraguariensis St.Hil., popularly named erva-mate in Brazil, is an indigenous species of the Araucaria Forest with a large geographic distribution and a high social and economic importance. The seeds of this species exhibits physiologic and seed coat  impermeability dormancies and needs stratification on sand in order to break them. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of genotype -environment interaction on embryo development of erva-mate seeds formed under different environmental conditions. The fruits were collected in Cascavel, Toledo and Campo Mourão, State of Paraná, and in Soledade, State of Rio Grande do Sul, in February 2003. The experiment was carried out on Forest Seed Laboratory of Embrapa Florestas, in a completely randomized design with four replications of 25 seeds each. It was concluded that the seeds from State of Paraná provenances presented more developed embryos than those ones from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, probably as a response of the higher mean annual temperature and the amount of sunlight.

Brazil shows competitive and comparative advantages against others wood producers, mainly in thepulp and paper segment, because Brazil has technology in wood production with shorts lifecycles due to thegood climate conditions and the quality of the products exported for many countries around the world. However,in the economical and financial area this advantage is not verified. In reason to the importance of this segment in the Brazilian forest sector the present study had the objective to know the economical and financial situation of six Brazilian pulp and paper companies. The information was obtained with BOVESPA – Sao Paulo State Stock Exchanged by the annual financial balance showed by the companies in the last nine years. Some of the most important economical and financial index was used, like capital profitability. In general, the companies showed a situation of low liquidity and profitability. It was verified an increase of the indebtedness and improvement in the use of the assets in the period. In relation to the operational margin and to the profitability of the equity, thecompanies showed similar behaviors along the time.

Seeds of several tree species from Brazilian wet forest are in dangerous situation and show recalcitrant characteristics. Therefore, it is not possible to store them by traditional methods adopted with orthodox seeds and it limits their genetic resources ex-situ conservation in seed banks. This situation encourages researches to find news technologies in order to store these species in genebanks. Therein, flash-drying method for embryos desiccation shows to be a promising technique in order to resolve seed conservation of Brazilian endogenous tree species in genebanks. This paper has an objective of to become known the flash-drying technique and to be accessible to seed  physiologists

A literature review was performed to discuss the fungal decomposition of needle pines and impacts on commercial forest production and sustainability. Aspects as organic matter and litter degradation, associated micobiota, and factors that condition this process are discussed. Needles are principal components of residues in pine forests and their decomposition by fungi is important to nutrient turnover. Nutrients released for soil by decomposition increases forest productivity which promotes more biomass production and fixation of carbon in trees.

In spite of the readiness of seeds of Luehea divaricata, your collection is a difficult and onerous task, sees the maturation to be irregular along the time, generating difficulties for production of seedlings through seeds. With base in this, it was aimed to evaluate the most appropriate concentration of IBA in rooting cuttings for the production of seedlings of Luehea divaricata. The cuttings were picked from branches of adult trees and natural regenerations in the spring of 2003, prepared with 10 to 15 centimeters (with a pair of cut leaves to the middle, treated with IBA (0, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 mg L-1) and rooted in greenhouse during 85 days. The medium survival in the exit of the shade house was 29.2%, with superiority for the treatment with 4000 mg L-1 of IBA (42.5%) and, at outdoor conditions, average of 19.8% of survival, with superiority for the treatment of 2000 mg L-1 of IBA (26.5%). None of the studied concentrations was shown technically viable for the production of seedlings of Luehea divaricata with rooting cuttings.

Sphaeropsis sapinea is one of main pathogens that causes losses in commercial plantations of Pinusspp. Studies for control based on genetic resistance can be done by inoculating different monosporic isolates onpine populations and selectioning the resistant individuals. This work describes a methodology for pycnidia production in vitro and S. sapinea monoconidial cultures, using an agar-water medium with sterile pine needles. Four S. sapinea isolates were tested e pycnidia and mature conidia were observed after 14 days of incubation, under continuous fluorescent light, in BOD, at 25 °C. Pycnidia were triturated in sterile water and conidia germinated after two hours of incubation in water-agar, in BOD, at 25 °C. Germinated conidia formed colonies which were purified in malt extract-agar and maintained in test tubes with the same medium, covered with sterile mineral oil for preservation. This methodology revealed to be  adequated for production of monoconidial coloniesof S. sapinea