RCAAP Repository

The aim of this work was to evaluate the radial and longitudinal variations of wood specific gravity in an overstocked stand of Araucaria angustifolia, with 65 years. The stand was located in the National Forest of Açungui, Campo Largo, Parana State, Brazil, with thinning recorded between 1970 and 1980, without subsequent thinnings. We selected three trees for each diameter class: 10-30 cm, 30-50 cm and 50-70 cm. To the longitudinal analysis, we collected discs from seven heights (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of commercial stem and at 1.3 m). The barks were removed and it was obtained opposite wedges until pith and five samples were taken in radial direction from each disk. In general, there was an increase of wood specific gravity in radial direction. The average differed significantly along the stem, with decreasing trend of wood specific gravity in the longitudinal direction. However, average specific gravity at 60% of commercial height was higher than at 40%, than reducing to the top, indicating effect of competition that occurred in the area. The no uniform wood along stem indicates negative effects of the lack of management in the stand.

In order to assess ecophysiological responses of macacaporanga seedlings (Aniba parviflora) at different levels of shading an experiment was conducted in nursery considering one-year period under rainy tropical climate. Shading levels were 30%, 50% and 70% and at full sun. It was evaluate height, diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, specific leaf area, dry mass of roots, stems, leaves , total, net assimilation rate, stomata conductance, transpiration, water use efficiency and chlorophyll content. The highest values of height, leaf area and specific leaf area et assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, water use efficiency and chlorophylls a, b and total were obtained 70% of shading. However, diameter, number of leaves and dry mass of roots, stems, leaves and total were highest under 50% of shading. The results showed that under natural conditions, the species have better chances of regenerating under forest canopy tolerating even very low light intensities due to closed canopy that is characteristic of late secondary specie.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the initial development of different provenances and the influence of base fertilizer and coverage on growth of Cedrela fissilis seedlings. Provenances of seeds were collected in Lapa, PR, Fernandes Pinheiro, PR and Itaara, RS. After germination, the seedlings were transplanted to plastic bags of 500 cm³, filled with commercial substrate. Total height (h), stem diameter (sd), and ratio h/sd seedlings were measured after 150 days of transplanting. Seedlings of Fernandes Pinheiro received basic fertilization after transplantation (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g dm-3  Osmocote®) and cover (3 and 6 g L-1, respectively, of Peter’s® and urea). The provenance and doses of controlled-release fertilizer influenced early development of Cedrela fissilis seedlings. Itaara provenance showed better seedlings growth. Cedar seedlings showed good growth when incorporated into the substrate 5 g dm-3 Osmocote® and, in addition, applied in topdressing 3 g L-1 of Peter’s®. Urea topdressing is rarely recommended for cedar seedlings.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different fertilizers doses in seedling of Tabernaemontana catharinensis. The experiment was conducted in Frederico Westphalen, Rio Grande do Sul State. We tested five doses and ten repetitions, allocated in totally randomized blocks. The monitored variables were stem diameter and plant height increment and dry matter weight of aerial part. It was observed that of 3 and 6 kg m-3 doses were similar, resulting in jasmim-catavento seedlings increment. Negative effect was observed with higher doses.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different chemical control of alternative weed in soil fauna in initial planting of Eucalyptus grandis. The treatments consisted of partial and full control of the weed vegetation. Collections were conducted through soil trap (pitfall). We collected 26,136 specimens, distributed in 13 taxonomic groups (Araneae, Blattodea, Chilopoda, Collembola, Coleoptera, Diplopoda, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Termitoidea, Orthoptera, Opilione and young forms). The treatments with remaining weed vegetation presented higher values of evaluated indices.

The use of silicon in forestry has increased recently as it is directly related to improved resistance to insect pests. The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei, occurs in all eucalypt producing regions in Brazil. Two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of silicon applied to Eucalyptus camaldulensis on the psyllid population. In the first experiment, the applications were made via soil (calcium silicate) and leaves (potassium silicate) in a nine months old E. camaldulensis plantation. In the second experiment, we evaluated silicon on seedlings, incorporating it into the substrate (soil) or applying it on leaves (foliar). Monthly, for 24 months, the number of psyllid eggs and immatures were counted on leaf samples. The plant height was measured at 9, 12, 16 and 24 months (experiment 1) and at 4, 8, 12 and 24 months (experiment 2) after application. The numbers of eggs and immatures were lower in periods of higher precipitation, indicating less psyllid attack during the rainy season. The psyllid population was lower in treatments with application of silicon both foliar and via soil compared to control. No significant differences were found in the height of E. camaldulensis plants.

Given the current environmental requirements has increased the interest and the need for conservationist production systems, such as silvopasture. The integration of trees and forages species turns it into a complex system and can cause undesirable interactions among species, such as competition for nutrients. To avoid soil nutrients depletion and to achieve good crop yields it is necessary to need manage fertilization properly. This work aimed to characterize the state of the art of researches on the effect of organic fertilizer in silvopasture systems. It was observed that organic fertilizer management is complex due to intrinsic characteristics of the organic waste and the ecological relationships within the system. However, it can supply and/or reduce the need for liming and mineral fertilization with long residual effect and satisfactory yields of both trees and forages components. It was also noted that more researches is needed emphasizing wide variation of organic fertilizers, management techniques, species and environmental conditions.

Aluminum toxicity can affect various plant processes; mainly root development which is not easily observed due to root growth habit. The objective was to evaluate root growth of mate when subjected to increased Al concentrations in the nutrient solution. Seedlings of three mate clones (C1, C2 and C3) were grown in nutrient solution added with 0, 100, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 μmol L-1 Al (AlCl3.6H2O) and a control without Al. Fifty days after transferring the plants to these solutions, dry matter of root, length and volume of roots of different diameters were evaluated. Al increase promoted root growth of all clones. Highest root length was observed for C2, followed by C3 and C1, for Al concentrations higher than 1,500 μmol L-1. The higher volumes were obtained by the clones C3, C2 and C1 with Al concentration off 2,000, 1,355 and 1,988 μmol L-1, respectively. The smaller root volume of C2 was obtained for Al concentration of 1,355 μmol L-1. The best fine root growth (dry matter and length) was obtained in Al concentrations above 1,500 μmol L-1. The results indicate that Al stimulates mate root growth, and the magnitude of Al tolerance is clone dependent.

The deposition of litter is a major nutrient cycling indicator in forest plantations. The objective of this study was to evaluate dynamics of leaf litter deposition, flow of nutrients from canopy to soil via litter and decomposition of this material in a genetically modified eucalyptus plantation. There were no significant changes in leaf litter production or in nutrients flow due to eucalypts genetic modification. Largest variation was observed between the two studied clones, but they were lower than that commonly observed with changes of silvicultural treatments.

Due to its chemical complexity, there are several methodologies for vegetable tannins quantification. Thus, this work aims at quantifying both tannin and non-tannin substances present in the barks of Mimosa tenuiflora and Acacia mearnsii by two different methods. From bark particles of both species, analytical solutions were produced by using a steam-jacketed extractor. The solution was analyzed by Stiasny and hide-powder (no chromed) methods. For both species, tannin levels were superior when analyzed by hide-powder method, reaching 47.8% and 24.1% for A. mearnsii and M. tenuiflora, respectively. By Stiasny method, the tannins levels considered were 39.0% for A. mearnsii, and 15.5% for M. tenuiflora. Despite the best results presented by A. mearnsii, the bark of M. tenuiflora also showed great potential due to its considerable amount of tannin and the availability of the species at Caatinga biome.

This study describes for the first time the phenology of Byrsonima basiloba. Reproductive and vegetative phenophases of 15 individuals were observed monthly. To collect and analyze the data we used the percentage of Fournier and the percentage of individuals and then the data were correlated to climatic variables. B. basiloba trees flourished synchronously in the wet season, correlating with rainfall and humidity. Fruiting occurred also synchronous in the transition from wet to dry season and correlated with temperature. Fruits ripening occurred mainly in the dry season and senescence was recorded also in the dry season, correlating with precipitation. The leafiness occurred in the transition from dry to rainy season resulting in correlation with rainfall and temperature. The mature foliage was present throughout the study and correlated with precipitation and humidity. The specimens presents different reproductive pattern from other Byrsonima specimens, but similar to other species from Cerrado, while vegetative aspects are common to the genre Byrsonima.

With the premise that use of hydrogel associated with liming and fertilization in eucalyptus plantations increases water retention and nutrient content in the soil, this work aimed to evaluate the survival and early development of the hybrid Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus camaldulensis when using hydrogel, liming and fertilization. In Ultisol, the treatments were: 1) control, 2) hydrogel, 3) conventional fertilization, 4) fertilizer + lime, 5) fertilizer + hydrogel and 6) fertilizer + lime + hydrogel. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design, with six replications and six plants per plot. We evaluated height, diameter, survival, macronutrient content in shoot and soil chemical properties. The hydrogel + fertilization treatment provided bigger height and diameter at 240 days after transplant, however, the survival was higher in fertilization treatment. The results indicate the viability of the hydrogel use. However but more studies are needed to prove its effects and recommendation of appropriate dosages.

Among several silvicultural measures of forest fires prevention, fuelbreaks stands out. These structures are used to reduce and/or prevent fire spread. They consist of plantations with lower flammability species than the main species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the flammability of Psidium cattleianum Sabine., Ligustrum lucidum W. T. Aiton., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. and Bougainvillea glabra Choisy, for potential use in fuelbreaks. In this research Pinus taeda L. was used as control. Samples consisted of 1 g of fine material (< 0.7 cm of diameter) newly collected. Samples burning were performed in epiradiator, under temperature between 250 °C and 350 °C. It was carried out 50 replications for each species. It was analyzed ignition frequency, time to ignition, combustion duration, combustion index, and it was also determined flammability value. P. taeda presents a very high combustion intensity and was classified as a flammable species. The other species were considered poorly flammable. S. terebinthifolius and B. glabra indicated low combustion intensity, L. lucidum medium and P. cattleianum high combustion intensity. In this context, it was concluded that these species have potential to be used in fuelbreaks to prevent forest fires.

Wood characterization studies allow the optimization in different timber segments, especially wood processing and utilization. This study determined the anatomical, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of Cordia glabrata (black laurel wood) to increase knowledge about the potential of underutilized species. The wood has high lignin content, long fibers and thin-to-thick fiber walls. It is classified as a high specific gravity wood and has medium dimensional shrinkage. This species also has medium values of compression parallel to grain and modulus of rupture, high values of shear stress, and low values of splitting. C. glabrata wood may be used in different ways in Brazilian timber sector, especially as decorative veneer, wood flooring, and products that require natural durability and regular mechanical strength.

In this work we describe the structure of arboreal and shrubby vegetation in Seridó Ecological Station, municipality of Serra Negra do Norte, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. We sampled and identified all individuals present in 30 plots of 200 m2 area with diameter at ground level ≥ 3 cm and total height ≥ 1 m,. Spatial distribution pattern was determined by Payandeh index. We registered 2,448 individuals, distributed in 22 species, 20 genera and 12 families. Density was 4,080 individuals ha-1 and basal area 17.50 m2 ha-1, while average height and diameter reached 2.45 m and 6.80 cm, respectively. The families with larger number of species were Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae, giving emphasis in number of individuals of Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Apocynaceae. Poincianella pyramidalis, Aspidosperma pyrifolium and Croton blanchetianus were the most important species of the population accounting together for the greater number of individuals, basal area and importance value. The studied area shows little evidence of human disturbance, with structure similar to other protected areas in Seridó Caatinga and higher proportion of species with aggregated distribution or with a tendency to aggregation, revealing that the largest populations form small groups.

The aim of this work was estimate genetic parameters and values in the stem diameter and height in Mimosa scabrella progenies at early stages. Seeds were collected from 40 mother trees in Abelardo Luz, Chapadão do Lageado, Lages and Três Barras, in Santa Catarina State. Progenies test was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Santa Catarina State University, in Lages, SC, aiming at to select genetic materials adapted for the region. It was used ramdomized blocks, with 40 treatments (progeny) and 30 replications, using 10 plants by plot in single line. At 12 months old height and diameter were evaluated. Deviance analysis was performed using Selegen-REML/BLUP software and genetic parameters were estimated. Significant differences were observed among provenances and progenies. Genetic control of characters is considered low to moderate in individual and family levels. Stem diameter was more appropriate for matrices selection due to its higher variation and genetic control.

Basic density is considered one of the most important wood properties because it directly influences the other physical characteristics for industrial use. The present study had as objective to determine the average basic density of wood of Pinus patula Schltdl & Cham trees, and to analyze its variation in the radial and longitudinal directions. Samples were taken from 12 trees along the longitudinal and radial axes. The mean basic density of P. patula wood was 0.307 g cm-³. It was also observed that wood basic density increased from pith to bark and in the longitudinal direction it decreased only from the basis up to 2 m. It was verified interaction between radial and longitudinal variations, indicating that the wood basic density of P. patula varies in the different directions of growth.

Plants that need to grow in soils of arid and semi-arid regions can find saline or low water availability soils. The present study aimed at to evaluate germination on roll paper substrate of catingueira and angico seeds under salt and water stress conditions, induced by calcium and sodium chlorides and water stress induced by PEG 6000. Treatments were: 0 MPa (control - distilled water); -0.4 MPa (NaCl, CaCl2 and PEG), -0.8 MPa (NaCl, CaCl2 and PEG) and -1.2 (NaCl, CaCl2 and PEG). It was evaluate percentage of germination, speed germination index and average germination time. There was no seeds germination of both species under the more negative osmotic potential (-1.2 MPa) of CaCl2 and PEG 6000. Seeds germination of both species were more affected by CaCl2, with no germination over - 0.8 MPa. Catingueira seeds showed higher tolerance to salt stress, while angico seeds better withstood water stress condition.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of indolebutyric acid (IBA) on rooting of Langerstroemia indica cuttings in different substrates. Semi-hardwood cuttings with 7-8 cm were treated in alcoholic solutions of IBA (0, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg L-1) for 10 s and staked in plastic tubes containing commercial organic substrate or vermiculite. A completely randomized design in factorial arrangement 4 x 2 (4 concentrations x 2 substrates) was used. After 75 days we evaluated percentages of rooted cuttings, with shoots and necrosis, number and length of roots and number of shoots per cutting. IBA in concentration 1,000 mg L-1 promoted best rooting (65.63%) in vermiculite substrate (73.43%).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of water-soluble humic extract (EHSA), Hortbio® biofertilizer (HORT) and both compounds combination (EHSA+HORT) on vegetative growth, nutrient absorption and chlorophyll levels in guanandi (Callophyllum brasiliense) seedlings. Isolated and combined additions of EHSA and HORT did not affect seedlings height, number of leaves, leaf and root dry matter and leaf area during early stages of seedling growth. However, HORT and EHSA+HORT treatments increased chlorophyll levels and total N content. Addition of HORT resulted in S, Zn, Mg, Mn and Cu increases in the seedlings leaves, while ESHA application increased K, Mg, S and B. P and Ca levels were not altered by the treatments, however, addition of EHSA and EHSA+HORT reduced significantly the absorption of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn.