RCAAP Repository

The information on the influence of environmental factors upon growth rate of trees is very important for the development of forestry management programs. The aim of this work was to determine the age and  radial increments of the trees. Samples were collected, in July 1996, in Nhumirim Farm, Embrapa Pantanal, located in Nhecolândia sub-region, Pantanal, Corumbá - Mato Grosso do Sul. The disks from 19 trees species were collected in areas with Arboreous Savanna, Forested Savana and Semi-deciduous Dry Forest. The  trees were selected by good canopy formation. Traversal section samples of the stem were collected of each tree at 0.3 m height, to determinate age and  increment of the first five years of the trees, and at  1,30m height, to evaluate the growth rhythm. The  growth rings were counted and measured on eight radii  of each disk. The average annual radial increment presented wide results, varying from 0,21 to 0,94cm, in  trees of 10 to 31 years old.

This research aims to compare stem volumes of P. oocarpa obtained by the methods of Smalian, form factor, volume equation and taper function. The used data came from 1100 trees distributed in 11 management regimes,  belonging to Duraflora S. A. , Agudos - SP. The trees were cubed and calculated theirs volumes, outside and inside  bark, for the mentioned methods. It was used the Test of  Bartlett and variance analysis for the comparison of  means. The variance analysis showed that significant  difference doesn’t exist among the methods for the 11  management regimes outside and inside bark at the level  of 95 % of probability.

Berberis laurina Billb. (Berberidaceae) is a native shrub from Floresta Ombrófila Mista ecological formation, very ornamental and useful specie for recovery of degraded areas. With medical applications, its fruit is edible and its roots are used as dye. This paper aims to analyze lhe induction of lhe rooting of Berberis laurina stem cuttings employing indolebutyric acid (IBA) in O, 1000 and 2000 mgL-1 concentrations, using the vermiculite as growing medium. In october 2003, stem cuttings were collected from eight stock plants, located in Fazenda Rio Grande - PR. Semi-hardwood cuttings were preppared with 8.0 cm long by 0.35 cm of diameter shape, containing three leaves on the top, cut in a half,  the base was cut in diagonal and the top was cut straight, receiving a treatment with sodium hipochlorite (0.5%) for 10 minutes. The experiment was being conducted in a greenhouse. After 90 days an analysis was taken from the rooting rate, rate of the number of roots formed per cuttings, length of the three biggest  roots formed per cuttings, rate of the initial leaves which have survived since the cutting’s manufacture per cutting, rate of sprout presence per cutting, rate of not rooted living cuttings and rate of dead cuttings. The analyzed variables did not show a significative difference using 5% of probability, except for the rate of not rooted living cuttings which had differed  statistically; however, the rooting rate was above the ones found in studies made with another species of  Berberis (20.0 - 30.0 %). IBA did not improve the  rooting of B. laurina.

The grevilea, Grevillea robusta (Cunn), species of the  Proteaceae family, native of Australia it was introduced in Brazil and in several other countries of the world, for ornamentation, wind breaks and to shade agricultural  crops. In general the grevilea has few pests in its area of natural dispersion and also in Brazil. Recently a severe infestation of the cicada Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) was verified in experimental plantings of  grevilea’s plantation in São Miguel Arcanjo, SP. This is the first verification of A. reticulatum causing damages to G. robusta. A. reticulatum is an sap sucking insect and the damages in grevilea are similar to the observed in fruit  plants.

Some Tabebuia species (Tabebuia alba, T. chrysotricha and T. heptaphylla) present deformed young leaves. A survey was performed randomly on young trees, from one month to  three years old in”Viveiro Municipal da Barreirinha” and  trees of urban areas of the Curitiba city, PR, Brazil. Small  twigs with symptoms were collected from each plant in  order to identify the associated insects, revealing the  presence of several species of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera. However, it was verified that the  leaf rolling is caused by Trioza tabebuiae (Hemiptera:  Psylloidea) injuries.

Sweetgum is a North and Central American tree species well known for the healing gum since the times of the Aztec civilization. In the southern United States, this is the most widely planted broadleaf species for wood  production. It grows well on a variety of site conditions, including on alluvial soil prone to flooding. As a result  of the wide natural distribution, it shows important variations in phenology and growth traits. The more  northern provenances tend to shut down growth processes much earlier and resume them later than the southern sources. These variations reflect directly on  the growth patterns among seed sources. Experiments  in several sites have demonstrated its potential value for wood production in small wood lots in the South and Southeastern Brazil. The most southern seed sources  (Central American) have proved to be far more  productive than the North Americans; the fastest  growing provenances have shown productivity similar to fast growing eucalypts, in the order of 40 m3/ha.yr. The  ood has multiple use including pulp, railway sleepers, sawn timber, furniture and firewood. It is  especially valued for use in veneer and plywood  industries. However, it must be dealt with cautiously because of its highly invasive nature. In Brazil, it  produces large amounts of seed with great chances to  germinate and to rapidly take over the site. One key  factor for this success is the absence of foraging agents  uch as birds and rodents which coexist in its  natural range. Moreover, this species regenerates vigorously from stumps as well as from adventitious  roots.

The aim of this study was to compare, through simulation, the BLUP and BLUP-HET procedures for breeding values prediction under heterogeneity of residual variances. Random data were generated with spread sheet, considering a variance of 0,10 and variable residual variance, by number of clones, in order toprovide heterogeneity of variances. Actual and residual breeding values obtained were added to the mean 10, in order to obtain positive phenotypic values. Experimental design was random blocks with 100 genotypes, one plant per plot and 2, 5, 10 and 20 repetitions. Data were evaluated using Selegen software, obtaining estimated breeding values through BLUP and BLUP-HET procedures which were compared to actualbreeding values. In this study, using two and five repetitions showed low accuracy. With heritability close to 10%, it is recommend to use ten or more repetitions in order to ensure greater accuracy in estimates. This represents no restrain in case of variances heterogeneity within genotypes, being both methods suitable. Nevertheless, for most of the cases, BLUP-HET results in accuracies closer to expected values. Furthermore, its estimates for selection gain are closer to real figures.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.67.193

This study aimed to adjust the hypsometric model of Trorey, Henricksen, Curtis and Stoffels in ecosystems of mopane (Colophospermum mopane) based on data from permanent plots established in Mabalane, Gaza Province, Mozambique. Statistical adjustment as coefficient of determination R2% and standard error of estimate (Syx%) were determined. Adjustment equations were validated using Chi-square and residual graphic analysis made. The results showed that the Stoffels model was presented the best adjustment compared to the other models, with R2%= 49.92 and Syx%= 17.97 satisfactory for all tested models.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.66.155

This study aimed to produce and evaluating the briquettes made from residues of plant biomass and test different times and temperatures. The material utilized was composed of wood processing residues (wood shaving and sawdust), coffee bean parchment and coffee tree stem, beam stem and pod, soybean stem and pod, rice husk, corn leaf, stem, straw and cob and sugar cane straw and bagasse. Briquetting was performed at a pressure of 150 Bar. Different times were tested for briquetting sawdust from wood and different temperatures for rice husk and parchment coffee. For evaluation of the briquettes quality, the apparent relative density, compression resistance and combustion index were determined. The results indicated that the briquetting time and temperature interfered in the mechanical resistance of the briquettes. The best pressing time was of eight minutes and the temperature of 125 °C. The briquettes produced from rice husk presented higher density and high mechanical density. The highest combustion index was found for the bean pod briquettes.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.66.103

The bioactive secondary metabolites of some plants are capable of stimulating the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Combined with plants, these fungi provide the same conditions to grow in environments contaminated by heavy metals. We evaluated the effect of adding essential oil of Eucalyptus grandis in the growth of ectomycorrhizal isolates in the presence of copper, zinc and nickel. The ectomycorrhizal Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC Pt 116) and Pisolithus sp. (UFSC Pt 24) were incubated in liquid culture medium in the presence of increasing concentrations of copper, zinc and nickel and essential oil of Eucalyptus grandis at a concentration of 20 μL L-1. After an incubation period of 25 days, we estimated the dry mass of mycelium and concentration that inhibited fungal growth by 50%. At concentrations of copper, zinc and nickel above of 3.94, 1.57 and 0.85 mmol L-1 respectively, no increase was observed in the growth of ectomycorrhizal isolates evaluated by the addition of essential oil. The presence of essential oil of E. grandis at a concentration of 20 μL L-1 in liquid culture medium increased the tolerance of ectomycorrhizal isolates UFSC Pt 116 and Pt 24 UFSC to the heavy metals copper, zinc and nickel.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.67.227

The establishment of exotic forest species in Brazil may show  dependence to ectomycorrhizal association, which increases the resistance of seedlings to stress after the initial planting in the  field, favoring the maintenance of harshseedlings under  adverse conditions. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of  applying the eucalyptus essential oil in ectomycorrhizal  colonization on growth of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings in greenhouse conditions. The treatments consisted of five  concentrations of the Eucayptus grandis essential oil and two  ectomycorrhizal isolates, in addition to the control treatment  without inoculation. It was used a completely randomized  design with eight repetitions. Ninety days after transplanting  the eucalyptus seedlings were evaluated: height (cm), stem  diameter (mm), dry massof shoots and roots (mg) and percentage of ectomycorrhizal colonization. The eucalyptus  essential oil was efficient in stimulating ectomycorrhizal  colonization of eucalyptus seedlings, resulting in significant  increases in dry weight of shoots of mycorrhizal seedlings,  showing doseresponse effect, depending on the ectomycorrhizal used.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.67.235

This work was carried out in a stretch of Dense Rain Forest in the lowland county of Carauari, Amazonas, aiming to estimate the species composition of tree layer and classify the species in their ecological groups in order to obtain information about the current situation of the forest fragment, to be the basis for strategies for conservation and preservation as well as the basis for formulating research aimed at the dissemination of knowledge and its application to sustainable production. The forest inventory was conducted in an area of 275 ha, crossed by three transects (822 m, 1,265 m and 2,349 m), totaling 4.436 m. Plots were installed in 20 m x 25 m, 50 m equidistant, merged to the right and left of the line transect, totaling 66 sampling units. All tree individuals trees that had a circumference of 1,30 m above the ground (CAP) ≥ 25 cm were identified and measured. There were 3,050 individuals distributed in 133 species, 93 genera and 49 families. It was observed that the species of early succession (pioneer + early secondary) were more numerous, showing characteristics of a forest in early successional stage. doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.67.161

It was collected and subsequent analysed advertisements and advertising campaigns for companies of forest products and services in nine magazines and 91websites of the forest sector, seeking for advertising and marketing actions that had some kind of environmental appeal as environmental terms, symbols with environmental appeal, certification seal and image with environmental appeal. The “environmental term” is present in 85,9% of 157 forest advertisements from different segments. The forestry sector has embraced the environmental marketing as a tool to adapt to the market, to meet an increasingly more critical and aware of current environmental issues. doi: 10.4336/2012.pfb.32.70.105

The aim of this work was to evaluate the vermicompost efficiency in the seedlings of two eucalyptus species production. The experiment was developed in greenhouse conditions, substrate constituted by different vermicompost proportions and peat for the E. grandis and C. citriodora seedling production. The experimental design was entirely casualized with seven treatments and eight repetitions. After 100 days of experiment were evaluated: seedling height, fresh and dry biomass of aerial part, root volume, dry biomass of the root and Dickson quality index (DQI). The treatment constituted by 80% vermicompost and 20% peat presented the highest results in height, root volume and dry mass of the aerial part and roots. For the species C. citriodora was observed that the vermicompost addition to the peat in the proportions from 40% to 80% was shown efficient in the seedlings growth. The treatment constituted by 80% vermicompost and 20% peat provided highest height and dry mass of the aerial part seedlings and the treatment constituted by 60% vermicompost and 40% peat provided highest root volume. The proportions 60% and 80% vermicompost added to the peat increase the E. grandis and C. citriodora seedlings production.

The use of eucalyptus essential oil can optimize the growth of ectomycorrhizal isolates, which aid the establishment of forest species in soils contaminated by copper. The study aimed to determine the best application of eucalyptus essential oil in the formation of mycorrhizal seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis and its influence on the establishment of these seedlings in soil contaminated by copper. It was used the ectomycorrhizal fungi (fECM) Pisolithus microcarpus. The application forms of the essential oil were evaluated in a greenhouse, by means of six treatments. Subsequently, the seedlings were transplanted and evaluated in soil contaminated by copper, greenhouse and field. It was determined height, diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, copper content in plant, colonization and survival in the field. The essential oil of E. grandis supports the growth of mycorrhizal of eucalyptus seedlings, particularly when applied to the substrate. The application of essential oil increases the colonization, promoting growth and survival of seedlings under greenhouse conditions and field.

This study aimed to adjust volumetric models to tropical pines, in pure stand, in the municipality of Vilhena, Rondonia State.  The data came from 20 felled trees of Pinus caribaea var.  hondurensis and 10 Pinus tecunumanii trees with discs collected at fixed positions of 0.20 m, 0.70 m, 1.30 m and in distances of one meter along the stem, for later counting and measurement of the growth rings at ages from 4 to 12 years. Eight volumetric models were adjusted. The selection criteria used were: standard error of estimate, adjusted coefficient of  determination, F test, significance of regression coefficients,  mean deviation, standard deviation of the differences, sum of square of the relative residual, percentage of the residuals and graphic analysis of residuals. The models from Näslund  modified and from Spurr presented, respectively, best fit to estimate the volume for Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis submitted to the first thinning and for Pinus tecunumanii, with  ages between 4 and 12 years, in Vilhena, Rondonia State, Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of dynamic elastic constant obtained in non-destructive testing, as a parameter to estimate the mechanical properties of stiffness and resistance of Eucalyptus grandis. For this we used an emitter of ultrasonic waves, which had its sensitivity evaluated by comparison with the values obtained in the destructive test of static bending. The results show that the dynamic elastic constant can be used as non-destructive inference of the stiffness and resistance of Eucalyptus grandis, though with reservations, because the adjustments observed were relatively low, with R²adj. 0.25 and 0.39, respectively. doi: 10.4336/2012.pfb.32.69.109

Plantation forests in Brazil cover 7 million hectares, which represents 1% of the country (68% of Eucalyptus and 25% of Pinus plantations). The aim of this study was to evaluate a Eucalyptus urograndis plantation. High levels of Ca and Mg in the soil suggest that limestone had leached into the soil profile. The soil resistance down to 60 cm depth in the row of planting was lower than the inter-row space, indicating that deep tillage had been effective. Soil resistance, down to 20 cm depth at an inter-row distance of 1 m from the planting row, was higher, likely by the increase in soil compaction during the site preparation. The canopy biomass differed amongst the DBH classes, justifying the use of an allometric equation based on a basal area for assessing the canopy biomass. The observed variation in DBH did not correlate with variation in wood density. The wood density of 0.37 g cm-3 was lower than those reported for 7-year-old plantation. The in situ removal of the bark increased nutrient availability by 8-11%. Harvesting of tree bole in 3-year old plantation didn’t result in a large nutrient export, indicating that proper plantation management can contribute to plantation forest sustainability.

This research aim to evaluate the wood and charcoal quality of three Eucalyptus clones planted at different places and to verify the existent functional relations between the basic density and the depth of penetration of the Pilodyn pin. Three Eucalyptus clones were evaluated and four trees were sample for each clone and place. It was determined the depth of penetration of a Pilodyn pin at 1.30 m of height of the soil (DBH), average basic density (DBm), the basic density at DBH, the calorific value, lignin, total extractive, ashes and holocellulose contents and elemental chemical analysis (C, H, N and O). The wood was carbonized and the charcoal produced was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. In the evaluation of the wood characteristics a completely randomized design disposed in a factorial scheme 3 x 2 was used. A linear model was adjusted between DBm and the depth of penetration of the Pilodyn pin. It was possible to conclude that the clones present potential to be used for energy. The charcoal produced may be used in siderurgy. The linear model adjusted between DBm and the penetration of the Pilodyn pin was satisfactory.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.68.319

This work aimed to verify the influence of the sampling longitudinal position in Qualea parviflora Mart. in the quality of charcoal and the statistical relation among the variables measured in this biofuel. Five trees were evaluated. In each one, 5 cm – thickness discs were obtained in the base, DBH (1.30 m), middle and top. The wood was carbonized in a muffle furnace, considering a heating rate of 1.67 ºC min-1. The yields in charcoal pyroligneous extract, in non-condensable gases and in fixed carbon and volatile matters, fixed carbon and ash contents, besides relative apparent density of the charcoal were determined. In the evaluation of the experiment, an entirely randomized design was used with five repetitions, being different sampling position considered a variation factor. Simple linear correlations between characteristics measured in the charcoal were evaluated and statistical models were proposed. Charcoal from Qualea parviflora Mart. wood presented great energetic potential. A significant influence of the sampling longitudinal position Qualea parviflora Mart. in the quality of the charcoal was not found. Fixed carbon content, gravimetric yield and volatile matter contents must be considered main characteristics related to higher heating value of the charcoal evaluated.doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb.31.68.295