RCAAP Repository

The use of growth ring information is nowadays increasing in tropical forests. The Pantanal of Nhecolandia, sub-region of Pantanal Mato-grossense may be viewed as one of those regions, as its climatic and soil factors induces annual growth rings development. This study aims at determining the correlation of growth increments by growth ring analysis of Tabebuia heptaphylla, a deciduous tree that occurs naturally in that region. Disks samples of a tree with good canopy development were collected at soil level and at every one meter. The growth rings were counted and measured on eight radii of each disk. Pearson coefficient was used to show the correlation between growth rings and precipitation rates. The age of the tree was estimated as 16 years old. The correlation of radial increment and precipitation was significant at the level of 5% on disks 1 to 5 meters. Above 6 meters the results were not significant, probably due to the small number of compared pairs. These results showed the great potential of T. heptaphylla to be used in dendroecology studies, besides the opportunity of enhancing further studies on growing dynamics of the species.

It is reported, for the first time, in Manaus-AM, the occurrence of the fungus Perisporiopsis melioloides on leaves of breu-sucuruba (Trattinnickia burserifolia).

Imbuya (Ocotea porosa Nees et Martius ex. Nees, Lauracea) is a species of Mixed Ombrophylous Forest threatened of extinction that owns a high quality wood for furniture. Embrapa Florestas is performing imbuya seeds collections for establishing a germplasm bank in october, 2004 in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In spite of its importance, studies about variance components as a basis for phenotypic selection of its characteristics don’t exist. Weight and diameter of seeds collected in two Santa Catarina populations (Canoinhas and Caçador districts) were measured. High repeatability and selective accuracy values were obtained (approximately) for the two characteristics. Predicted phenotypic gains were higher for seed weight than seed diameter.

The growth of Valsa ceratosperma (Tode:Fr.) Maire was analyzed under axenic conditions at several temperatures. An isolate obtained from cankers on trunks of Eucalyptus grandis was inoculated on Petri dishes with PDA medium with plugs of mycelium-agar and incubated under temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ºC. The growth was evaluated based on linear growth rate of colony (mm/day). The development of V. ceratosperma occurred in the 15 to 35 °C range and the higher rate was verified at 30 °C.

Imbuya (Ocotea porosa Nees et Martius ex. Nees, Lauraceae) is a species menaced of extinction. In 2003, Embrapa Florestas began a program for its conservation exsitu collecting germplasm at Colombo, Bocaiuva – Paraná state, Canoinhas and Caçador – Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Seeds were immersed in sulphuric acid 70% against dormancy of tegument. Low germination index were obtained, varying from 9,70% to 18,19% (june-october, 2003) due to the sulphuric acid. Inversely, seeds from Bocaiuva and Caçador not submitted to the treatment with sulphuric acid presented germination of 47% and 71%, respectively for these localities. Germination along this period increased from the 6th to the 7th month after sown. Beginning of germination occurred until 200 days after sown, varying considerable between progenies and provenances, showing that selection of progenies with high germination and capable to germinate until 100 days after germination will be important.

The “recalcitrant” behavior of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze seeds (Brazilian pine) limits the conservation of genetic resources of this important species in ex situ genebanks. As initial steps in developing storage protocols, we studied the interaction of water content and temperature on embryo survival. Embryos were excised from seeds and “flash-dried” to water contents as low as 0.29 g water/g dry mass and then exposed to 0°C, -5°C and -18°C for 4 h. Drying rate was calculated from drying time courses and expressed as (g water / g dry weight) / hour. Other authors have studied the effects of desiccation of whole seed of A. angustifolia on viability. In order to compare moisture content of whole seeds to that of embryonic axes, seeds of A. angustifolia were placed on the bench (25°C and 25%RH) and left to dry. Fresh weight of intact seeds and embryos excised from these seeds were also measured. Water contents were calculated and expressed on dry weight basis as g water / g dw. Increasing drying rate improved survival at lower water contents. Further, survival of embryos dried up to 0.29 g/ g and exposure to 25°C (25% survival) and 0°C (37.5% survival) suggests that cryopreservation using ultra-rapid cooling techniques may provide a method for long-term conservation of this important species. We suggest new studies towards technical approaches.

Use of annual cropping between rows of erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) is an agroforestry system very popular in southern Brazil, and the main work and income for small and medium farmers. The intensity of soil work, tilling it to seed annual crops, raise some doubts about some damage it can cause to erva-mate root system. It is also not so clear the effect of growing some grass or legume species during the winter as soil cover crops. The objectives of this work were: to test the influence of soil working intensity using different soil tillage systems on cropping soybean and to evaluate soil physical and chemical changes. On a clayey red latosol that has been under use for a long period with wheat/soybean succession, in Embrapa Negócios Tecnológicos, in Ponta Grossa disctrict, Paraná state, rows of erva-mate were planted 6 m apart from each other, to allow growing annual crops on the interrow. It was tested seven different species as soil cover crops during the winter in rotation to soybean seeded on five different soil tillage systems: rototilling, animal track plowing, conventional system, subsoiling and no tillage. Soil was sampled at the beginning of the experiment and five years after, both at the maximum soybean flowering. Due to the great occurrence of weeds, problems to apply herbicides and limitations of its use on erva-mate plantation, the greater the intensity of tillage work the higher was soybean yield. Soybean was the most productive on soil tilled with rototiller and with animal pulled plow. On no tillage system, soybean was the most productive following winter grass species used as soil cover crop; this fact enhances the importance of weed control on this area. Important correlation was found among Ca+Mg and Al+H contents and bulk density and total porosity values in soil surface with average soybean yield.

The study of reproductive phenology is important in order to determine the proportion of individuals that contributes to the effective gamete pool in a population and to support programs on pollen and seed collection for use in conservation and breeding programs. In araucaria (Araucaria angustifoliaBert. (O. Ktze.), more intensive studies on reproductive biology and phenology are necessary to elucidate the reproductive aspects in different regions. Field observations in an araucaria provenance test planted in Southern Brazil were recorded. The observations were taken when the stand was between 14 and 16 years old. The results showed that its reproductive cycle is relatively long. The most critical stages, including pollination, occur between September and December and the less critical between May and July, when the temperatures are lower. Pollination occurs during a short period and is significantly variable among trees and from year to year. The proportion of sexually mature trees was small at the time of assessment and this limited the effective population size. In spite of the young age of stand, there were significant differences in seed production among provenances. Further observations are necessary encompassing more advanced ages.

Seven Phytophthora sp. isolates from black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) were evaluated based on mycelial growth and sporangia production. The greatest mycelial growth rate were observed on carrot-agar and V-8 at 20 and at 28ºC. The isolates sporulated under liquid cultures (KNO3 solution and sterilized water) in continuous light. Sporangia were ovoid, papillated and non-caducous. All isolates were pathogenic to black wattle.

Fast growing plantations in Brazil, especially with Eucalyptus and Pinus species, are responsible for thousands of employs, presenting significant participation in the country economy. It also contributes to the environment by lowering the pressure over natural forests helping to preserve their natural resources. The extremely high growth rate of these forest plantations imposes high demand on water and nutrients from the soils in addition the majority of these soils are poor in nutrients. This is motive of wariness in relation to the sustainability of the future productivities. Replenishment of nutrients is necessary and use of wastes from pulp and paper mills, for this purpose are envisaged as a priority. In this paper it was evaluated, in a factorial designed trial, the effect of five doses of pulp and paper wastes (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 t/ha), and four doses of phosphorous as P2O5 (0, 28, 56, 112 g/tree). The planting was performed in the region of Ponta Grossa, state of Paraná-BR in LATOSSOLO VERMELHO-AMARELO, a chemically poor soil, very common in the so-called region of the “Campos Gerais”. Trees were implanted in 3m X 2m spacing. Phosphorous were applied in furrows between the rows at planting time, and wastes ten months latter spread over the surface and mixed in the soil by a rotating tillage tool. The results obtained 6 years after planting allowed the following conclusions: application of phosphorous and pulp and paper wastes increased wood volume substantially to the control, about 38% and 61% from the smallest to the biggest dose rate of phosphorous and among 20% to 40% for pulp and paper wastes applied; increases of 52% to 92% of productivity above the control treatments were also obtained with different combinations of P and waste.

Evaluations, of the quality of soil preparation in the plantation lines, were made in areas with potential risk of compaction using the penetrometer to collect data about the depth and width of the furrow. The samplings were made in three sites of production of Eucalyptus in areas of Cia Suzano de Papel e Celulose in the state of São Paulo, managed under minimum cultivation of the soil and where crop was mechanized and intensive. The statistical evaluation of the quality was made through the measurement and assessment of the results of the soil preparation, comparing the results with the technical quality standards pre-established by the company. The data were analyzed graphically and statistically. In the graphic analysis of the three sites sampled, the site 2, with soil of medium texture, presented all the stands analyzed inside the technical standards for depth and width of the furrow (30 and 60 cm respectively); in the site 3, soil with loamy texture, in the five stands analyzed, two of them didn’t achieve the minimum rate of depth and width for the furrow established by the technical standards, and in the site 1, soil with sandy texture, all the stands sampled didn’t achieve the minimum width specified by the norms, on the other hand, the depth was accomplished. The statistical analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between depth of soil preparation and plantation line, mainly in the lines of traffic and/or wood warehouse that presented the smallest depths of soil preparation. There was also significant correlation between type of soil x line of plantation x point of collection of the penetrometer in the furrow, showing that the tines of the sub soiling has greater action on the right side of the furrow and that this action is effective only when it is close to the central point. The other corresponding points don’t differ from it significantly. The method used to evaluate the quality of the soil preparation, testified to be efficient and it supplied consistent results that allowed a wide assessment of the quality of the soil preparation, classifying it in agreement with the attendance or not to the technical standard established, suggesting the possible reasons for the conformity and/or non conformity and actions to the re-establishment of the appropriate conditions.

A quali-quantitative vegetation survey of a secondary forest area in União da Vitória, State of Paraná, Brasil was carried out according to its successional stages. The structural chacterization of the forest was made through values of abundance, frequency, dominance and importance. The herbaceous vegetation was qualitatively described. Plants of apicultural interest received special attention once they are the reason for this study and their apicultural value was determined. In the intermedite stage of natural sucession, species with apiarian value summed up to a total score of 179,24 and in the advanced stage 174,45. Syagrus romanzoffiana was the species with the highest apiarian value.

On commercial plantation of Eucalyptus saligna, belonging to Suzano Paper and Cellulose Co., two Oxisol (coarse and clayey textured) were selected. Both soils were submitted to mechanized harvesting, and coppice was 1 year old (clayey soil) and 2 years old (coarse soil), when soil tillage systems were performed: harrowing and subsoiling. Undisturbed soil samples were collected at 50 cm from tree lines and at three depths: 0 to 10, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 cm to determine bulk density, and soil resistance to penetrometer were measured until 60 cm deep on the tree line and between lines. Plants had its DBH and total height measured before and after soil was tilled. Both soil tillage systems increased eucalyptus coppice growth, and a good correlation was obtained between soil resistance to penetrometer measured at the distance of 125 cm from the tree line and at 25 cm of soil depth ( r2 = 0,615 ) and plant height. On the coarse soil, harrowing decreased plant development, mostly due to increasing macroporosity.

This experiment was conducted with the objective to study the effects of different phosphorus doses in the growth of Canafístula seedlings (Peltophorum dubium). As substratum was used yellow-reddish argisoil, collected on the superficial layer (0-20 cm), which was discloded, homogenized, draught in the air, passed in a sieve of 2 mm and after a analyzed chemically. As complementary fertilization were added 10 mg kg-1 of N and 12,5 kg-1 of K, the sources were (NH4)2SO4 and KCl. The experimental design used was completely randomized with 8 treatments and 8 repetitions, totalizing 64 plots. The treatments were constituted by: control (soil without phosphorus addition), 90, 180, 270, 360, 450, 540, 630 mg kg-1 of P (utilizing CaHPO4 as salt). As vessels were used polypropylene vases with the capacity of 2,0 dm3. The humidity used in the vases was 80% of the field capacity. After 130days, the following parameters were evaluated: height of the aerial part, stem diameter, biomass above ground, root biomass and total biomass. The dose of 360 mg kg-1 of P, resulted in a higher growth of Peltophorum dubium plants.

DNA extraction is a very important step for DNA genetic analysis in peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.). The aim of this work was to develop a methodology of DNA extraction. Fresh, frozen and dried leaves were utilized. DNA from fresh leaves were purified one time while frozen and dried leaves was purified two times. DNA bands were coloured intensively showing a high amount of purified DNA and with an excellent resolution in agarosis gel 2%, such for fresh leaves as much as for frozen and dried leaves.

The aim of this research was to identify fungi associated with “pau-cigarra” seeds (Senna multijuga). Evaluation was carried out in nine lots composed of seeds collected from mother trees at Atlantic Rain Forest located in Antonina, Morretes and Guaraqueçaba municipalities, Paraná state, Brazil. Sanitary analysis was carried out by adopting blotter test and agar plate test. Morphological characteristics were used for fungi identification. It was observed higher fungi frequency contaminating seeds over filter paper (blotter test) compared with agar plate test. Helminthosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Ulocladium sp., Pestalotia sp., Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., Chaetomium sp. and Monilia sp. were the most important genus found associated with S. multijuga seeds.

Twenty one provenances of Grevillea robusta Cunn were tested at Nova Esperança and Quedas do Iguaçu, Paraná state and Anhembi, São Paulo state, Brazil. With the aim of comparing the performance of the original provenances with the comercial provenance collected in Maringa, Paraná state included as a control. Provenance trials were installed in a randomized block design with rectangular plots, each one with six plants spaced 3 m x 3 m, with 15 replications. Five among the ten best provenances at Anhembi presented better growth at Quedas do Iguaçu and Nova Esperança (Duck Creek, Fine Flower, Rappville, Bottle Creek and Mc Pherson’s Creek). Different environments did not interfere significantly in the average growth among different provenances indicating that the seeds of one region can be interchanged with the seeds of another region, where the provenances were tested, with no loss in productivity of wood. It was also concluded that the best provenances at Quedas do Iguaçu, Nova Esperança and Anhembi were originally collected in New South Wales state, Austrália.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the mini cutting technique as a method of vegetative propagation of Eucalyptus dunnii, as related to the production and survival of the mini stumps in the successive collections, and to the survival, rooting, height growth and collar diameter of the mini cuttings. After four successive collections the mini stumps was observed an average survival of 100% and average production between 1.7 to 2.6 mini cuttings per mini stump. The survival of the mini cuttings when they left the greenhouse was 100% and the average rooting at the end of acclimatization period in shade house with 50% solar light was 93%, and the survival to 90 days of age from 90%, without positive influence of the different treatments of AIB (0, 1500, 3000 e 6000 mg L-1.) At specific conditions on wich the experiment was realized with mini cuttings of Eucalyptus dunnii, from material of seminal origin, is technically viable, and this technique can be an alternative for production seedlings of this species in wide scale and mainly in situations where seed is a limiting factor.

The objective of this work was to study the efficiency of the early selection of parents and progeny for simultaneous increment of the growth and wood quality. For this, 48 open-pollinated families of Pinus taeda were grown at close spacing (0,5m x 0,5m). At the age of 16 months they were assessed for stem diameter at 30 cm above the ground and for wood basic density. The data were compared to diameter at breast height and basic density of commercial stem of the same progenies at 84 months under field conditions. Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated using an individual tree model. The narrow sense heritabilities in the 16º and 84º month for diameter (h2 = 0,24 e 0,22) and density (h2 = 0,27 e 0,19) suggest that they are inherited. The aditive genetic age-age correlations were highly for diameter (r2 = 0,90) and for basic density (r2 = 0,86) indicating that growth and basic density at maturity could be improved by early selection of the same growth and quality trait. Trait-trait correlations indicated that genetic correlations between diameter and wood basic density were negative and high indicating difficulties for simultaneous genetic gain by selection. Efficiencies of early selection indicated similar efficiency for the same trait at 84 months. To improve volume and quality of wood nine parents were selected by aditive genetic breeding values at the two ages. This allows to conclude that early evaluation of progeny grown in close-spacing in a nursery field is a useful methodology to increase genetic gains in an generation by increasing the probability of selecting genotypes that favor simultaneously wood quality and growth traits.

Effects of pruning on growth ring thickness and density were studied in young trees of Pinus taeda L. A reduction in growth ring thickness and an increase in density were found only in the first year after the most severe pruning, in which branches were removed up to 3,0 m height. Pruning had no effect on wood density in the following years. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in ring thickness after the initial reduction in the first year, suggesting the existence of a negative trophic balance in the lower branches. If properly applied, pruning can improve both growth process and wood quality of the main stem.