RCAAP Repository

This work aimed to evaluate the suspended production of rubber-tree rootstocks with substrate in fertirrigation. Treatments were four types of nutritional solutions in completely randomized experimental design, with 5 repetitions. Fertigation was held every two days, using 200 mL of the solution by container. We evaluated plant height, stem diameter (5 cm above the plant collect), leaf area, number of leaves, dry mass of shoot and of roots, foliar nutrient contents and percentage of plants ready for grafting. The highest values for plant height, number of pairs of leaves, stem, and leaf area of rootstocks were obtained with the highest concentration of nutrients. Foliar nutrient content and percentage of plants ready for grafting were considered adequate by using the maximum fertirrigation dose tested(for 5 L: Ca(NO₃) 2.5g, MgSO4 1.75g; KNO3 1.5g; (NH4)(NO3) 1.0g; NH4H2PO4 0.9g; Zn(NO3)2 0.30g; CuSO4 0.20g; EDTA(Fe+2) 0.15g).

Bamboo is an important source of raw material of multiple uses. The development of simple techniques for its propagation is a practical way to enable its implementation in ownership of low technology. The present work had the objective of evaluating artisanal propagation methods for Bambusa vulgaris. Two types of propagules were tested, with buds budded or not, and three relative positions to the removal of vegetative material on the culm. The best propagule was with only one node, extracted from the lower thirds of the stem, presenting 72% of rooting. This result demonstrates its potential for seedling production of this species under low tech.

The wood density is one of the most important property, and it is used as the main indicator for several types of use. However, this parameter can vary substantially along the stem, either in the bottom-top or pith-bark direction. Its determination becomes essential for the qualification of the wood of any forest species. This study aimed to evaluate the radial and axial variation the Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze wood density under different ages. Twelve trees with 23, 25, 28 and 30 years were felled. Discs were collected from 10%, 35%, 55% and 75% of tree height and another – from 1.3 m above ground level. From each disc three samples were taken from different positions in radial direction for density determination: near pith, central region and near bark. It was observed a reduction in density from bottom to top (longitudinal) and from pith-bark (radial). Older trees presented higher density values.

This study aimed to evaluate the growth pattern of Cryptomeria japonica increment (L. F.) D. Don. and to describe the probability distribution in stands stablished at the municipality of Rio Negro, Paraná State. Twenty trees were sampled in a 34 years-old stand, with 3 m x 2 m spacing. Wood disks were taken from each tree at 1.3 m above the ground (DBH) to perform partial stem analysis. Diameter growth series without bark were used to generate the average cumulative growth curves for DBH (cm), mean annual increment (MAI) and current annual increment (CAI). From the increment data, the frequency distribution was evaluated by means of probability density functions (pdfs). The mean annual increment for DBH was 0.78 cm year-1 and the age of intersection of CAI and MAI curves was between the 7th and 8th years. It was found that near 43% of the species increments are concentrated bellow 0.5 cm. The results are useful to define appropriate management strategies for the species for sites similar to the studying regions, defining for example ages of silvicultural intervention, such as thinning.

Remote sensing techniques for vegetation monitoring has been more used and improved. These techniques are good alternative to be used as as basis for forest inventories. The present study aims to estimate forest variables using multispectral images associated with data from field survey. The studied area was a tropical rain forest of approximately 44,728.5 ha. A forest inventory 100% was carried out providing the volume of tree species with circumference at 1.30 m above soil level (CBH) higher than 110 cm. The used satellite was Landsat 7, scene 227/069. A radiometric correction was performed to obtain the reflectance values. Three plots sizes (40, 80, 120 m radius) were assessed for linear models adjustment. The area spectral behave presented low response on visible region (TM1, TM2 and TM3), increasing on near-infrared (TM4). TM4 band presented higher correlation with CBH (R: -0.5203). The best model to estimate showed a R²aj = 0.387 and Syx = 30.199%, estimating an average volume of 39,61 m³ ha-1. The results showed viability to use satellite images to evaluate dendrometric variables.

The objective of this work was to compare the biomass of fine roots in different physiognomies evaluating the influence of seasonality at the Amazon savannas located in Amapá and Pará States. Soil samples were collected in five positions, from 10 to 50 cm deep. Three points were allocated at typical savanna (Cerrado sensu stricto), 4 at open savanna (Campo Cerrado) and 2 at natural grassland (Campo Limpo). At each point 4 replications were performed. The influence of seasonality was verified only in Campo Cerrado in April (rainfall peak), July (end of rainy season) and October (peak of drought) of 2010 and in January of 2011 (beginning of rainy season). The physiognomies were differentiated by root mass when analyzed under different diametric classes of roots and different depths. The largest mass of fine roots occurred at the peak of the dry season. These results suggest different strategies in finest roots allocation in different physiognomies and soil depths and differences of roots dynamics to increase absorption potential during dry season.

This study aimed to adapt and test the efficiency of electrical conductivity methodology test in quality evaluation of Moringa oleifera Lam seeds. For physiological characterization four seed sets were evaluated by tests of germination, seedlings emergency, speed of emergency index, emergency first count, seedlings length and dry mass and cold test. The electrical conductivity test was carried out at 25 °C for 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h of immersion in 75 or 125 mL of distilled water using 25 or 50 seeds. A completely randomized design was used. The best results were obtained when using 50 seeds immersed in 75 mL or 125 mL of distilled water for 4 h. The electrical conductivity test adapted to moringa seeds was efficient in ranking sets of different vigor levels. The test may be efficiently used for physiological quality evaluation of moringa seeds.

This study aimed to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites using materials of low processing level. Residues from carpentry as wood shavings from three forest species (Pinus elliottii, Hovenia dulcis and Maclura tinctoria), and thermoplastic type were used. Data were submitted to Duncan’s test with 95% confidence. In relation to the modulus of rupture (MOR) and elasticity- (MOE), all treatments presented successful results, without difference. For the tests of internal bond and screw pullout, the results were not satisfactory. For this last test, the best result was for Hovenia dulcis. In relation to swelling in 2 h and 24 h, all treatments presented positive results. In general, the results were not influenced by the species used.

This study aimed to evaluate the formation of functional groups, in 1994 and 2012, in two areas of savanna with different fire history in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil. In the Area 1 biennial burnings were applied in August 1988, 1990 and 1992; there was fire protection until July 1994 in the Area 2, the control area. Accidental fire occurred in both areas in August 1994, but from September 1994 to 2012 they were protected. These analysis included individuals with abundance ≥ 5 using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The groups were defined according to the following attributes: dispersal and pollination syndromes, leaf phenology, life form, type of bark and ability to sprouting after fire. Both areas presented differences in the formation of functional groups in 1994 and 2012. Species functionally similar and with lower diversity of attributes were observed in Area 1, in 1994. The exclusion of fire favored the recruitment of other species and greater diversity of functional attributes in 2012.

The objective of this review was to evaluate the potential of forest biomass production for energy in agroforestry systems (AFS). The use of energy from wood and forest residues has been stimulated in Brazil and in the world in recent decades, due to environmental questions and its technical and economic viability. However, its development in AFS requires further studies. It was analyzed the main technical and economic characteristics of wood production for energy generation in AFS, highlighting tree species, site quality, socioeconomic and agroforestry practices. All maim assessed studies were from Europe, United States, Asia and Africa, while in Brazil there are still lack of those studies, although the country is major consumer of forest biomass for energy. All studies pointed out that there is technical and economic potential for wood fuel production in agroforestry systems, for farmers supply, and for commercialization of quality wood for energy use. Nevertheless, this relationship depends mainly on: greater wood fuel market structuring; regional socioeconomic characteristics and environmental conditions.

Trees outside forests (ToF) is often a misunderstood category. This is the case in Brazil as shown by the lack of data on ToF reported until now by the country. In this article, ToF are understood in relation to the FAO definition of forest because it is the definition used in Brazil for the National Forest Inventory. I provide a definition of ToF, detail the main sets as inferred from this definition, propose to focus on a category of ToF as an efficient and realistic first step towards the assessment of ToF countrywide, and I illustrate the diversity of ToF-based systems in Brazil, from relatively isolated trees in agroforestry fields to dense mixed tree formations that cannot be distinguished from forests on satellite images. A recent publication has placed Brazil as the world leader in terms of the total biomass carbon stored by one ToF set, trees on agricultural land. This result could stimulate the desire for Brazil to better assess not only trees on agricultural land but also trees on urban land, the two major sets of trees outside forests. The present paper can help those who will undertake this challenging and exciting task.

Due to low rates of rooting it is difficult to propagate selected clones of Acacia mearnsii by cuttings. The purpose of this study was to define a protocol for disinfection of nodal segments for in vitro introduction, aiming to improve the species genetically for forest plantation. Combination of different products concentration (70% ethyl alcohol, sodium hypochlorite, plant preservative mixture and mercuric chloride), immersion period and size of nodal segment were tested. The best disinfection treatment was the combination of 70% ethanol, 0.4% mercuric chloride, sodium hypochlorite at 2% in nodal segments of 10 mm, with 80% survival.

The first wood characteristic perceivable by human vision is the color, with the possibility of indicating its use, in addition to correlating with the demands of the final consumer. The color is a hard parameter to determine due to its subjective nature; therefore methods for its mathematical determination were created, as the comparative method of Munsell and the quantitative method called colorimetry. Over time the second was consolidated because of its high precision. The most commonly used colorimetric method in wood science is the CIELAB system, consisting of three axes, the coordinate L* representing the luminosity or clarity, the coordinate a* representing the red-green axis and the coordinate b* representing the yellow-blue axis. Besides the colorimetric classification of the wood, the colorimetry is efficient in the determination of some properties of the wood, in the evaluation of the effect of the thermal-treatment, of the biodegradant agents’ action and the weathering on the wood. The main objective of this work was to highlight the importance and applicability of colorimetry as a technique applied to wood science and technology.

We performed a forest growth dynamics study in Acre State, Brazilian southwestern Amazon, where a 20 ha area was logged in 1992. The study was based permanent sample plots (1 ha) established in the logged area and in an unlogged forest immediately after logging operations finished. Forest dynamics parameters were assessed in terms of aboveground dried biomass (AGB). During the study period, three extreme climate events triggered a high impact on both logged and unlogged areas, producing AGB losses greater than those estimated for logging. Twenty years after logging, ingrowth and mortality rates were similar to those expected in an undisturbed forest, and AGB recovery was significantly faster in the logged areas. Forest management, when properly applied, can promote faster forest AGB recovery. We suggest that forest management could be considered as an alternative to adapt to extreme climate events, by promoting controlled disturbances, which should minimize tree mortality and biomass loss.

The use of organic inputs, which are able of promoting plant growth, is an alternative to anticipate forest seedlings trading in nursery garden. Caroba (Jacaranda micrantha) is a native forest species from the southern of Brazil, which presents several potential uses. This study aims to analyze the efficiency of vermicompost and fungal isolates of the genus Trichoderma as growth promoters in J. micrantha seedlings. The experiment was carried out with nine substrates treatments, containing different percentages of vermicompost (0, 25 and 50%) on the control substrate (sifted soil and commercial substrate Carolina Soil® in 1:1 ratio) in the presence or absence of T. asperelloides and T. virens. We used a completely randomized design with 18 repetitions per treatment. After 90 days of seeding we determined: shoot height, leaf number, stem diameter, dry weight of shoots and roots and Dickson quality index. Significant effects on growth promotion of caroba seedlings were observed for isolated or combined application of Trichoderma sp. and vermicompost. T. asperelloides isolate was superior then T. virens in promoting J. micrantha growth. It was concluded that the use of vermicompost and both species of Trichoderma sp. promoted growth of J. micrantha seedlings, and the combined use of both biologic inputs promoted more pronounced increase in plants growth.

This study had the objective to analyze the floristic, structure and diversity of regeneration of a forest fragment located in the urban area of Dois Vizinhos, Paraná State. We used the census method and the traditional phytosociological descriptors as parameters of analysis, giving indications about the ecological value of the fragment. The results showed the occurrence of 231 individuals in 2,500 m² area, distributed in 35 species of 22 botanical families. The families with the highest number of species were Lauraceae and Myrtaceae, with three species each, followed by Boraginaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Myrsinaceae, Rosaceae and Sapindaceae with two species each. The others were represented by one species each. Among eight exotic species, four are potential invaders, such as Ligustrum lucidum (34.0%) and Dyospyrus kaki (13.6%) that presented high coverage value (CV) and dominance with more than 50% of the registered individuals. Most of the species belong to the initial stages of succession. In the regeneration, we found 20 species, with only tree exotics and, among them, only one invasive (L. lucidum). The occurrence of exotic invasive species in urban forest fragments requires attention of public managers to the necessity of silvicultural interventions to recover their floristic and original structure.

Minquartia guianensis Aubl. (acariquara) occurs at Acre, Amazonas, Roraima, Pará and Amapá states, with a great market demand and utility in the Amazon region. It is used mainly in civil construction due to its high durability and singular beauty, because of reentrances in its trunk, resulting in high market value. Most of used trees present small diameters, what is a critical factor for their management and commercialization. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate M. guianensis diametric growth and cutting cycle through the analysis of time of passage among diameter classes, 31 years after logging, at Tapajós National Forest, Pará State, Brazil. Five treatments were established and in each one 12 permanent sample plots of 0.25 ha were installed. All trees with diameter at 1.3 m above ground level (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were measured from 1981 to 2012. Trees with DBH ≤ 50 cm have potential to be managed, due to the growth stagnation presented in larger diameter classes. These results may support silvicultural decisions to sustainable management.

The objective was to analyze the floristic, diversity and equability of the tree shrub stratum of home gardens (QA) in Mariana re-settlement located between Palmas and Porto Nacional municipalities in Tocantins State, Brazil. Three 20 x 30 m plots were installed in each home garden, totalizing 0.72 ha of sampled area. All shrub-tree individuals had its circumference at 1.3 m above ground level (CBH) measured when CBH ≥ 10 cm. A total of 477 individuals, 81 species, 34 families and 73 genera were verified in all QA. Shannon diversity index (H’) was 3.68 and Pielou equability indice (J’) was 0.83, for all sampled area. Individually, QA1, QA2, QA3 and QA4 presented H’ = 2.52; 3.27; 2.66 and 2.94, and J’ = 0.78; 0.90; 0.77 and 0.85, respectively. It was possible to infer that the studied QA showed high richness and diversity, evidencing great environmental heterogeneity and low ecological dominance.

Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) O. Kuntze., also known as brazilian-pine, is a forest native species from Brazil. A. angustifolia is more vulnerable to global climate change, considering it is living in cold and humid mountain regions from southern and southeastern Brazil. Among the native Brazilian forest species, it presents one of the greatest growth and genetic gain potential. It shows excellent wood quality and can still be used in human and animal food, presenting great economic, social and environmental value. In order to determine current distribution of the species and better know its habitat, we worked in the regions representing the borders of natural occurrence, identifying populations and getting trees altitude and geographycal position. Field information along with secondary data from the Environmental Information Center (CRIA) were used to map current distribution of brazilian-pine and to project the distribution in the next decades, with the projection of future climate scenarios. Mapping studies of ecological niches in present and future climate scenarios characterizing the environments in which they are living is essential for a better understanding of the risks of species extinction and which mitigating measures could be adequate to reduce the impacts of global climate change on species, thus contributing to the conservation and knowledge of this important species.

During one year the phenology of the Colombian mahogany (Cariniana pyriformis Miers), a native forest species, was registered in a rural area of the municipality of El Carmen de Chucuri, department of Santander, northeastern Colombia. Flowering showed a peak at the end of the rainy season (October and November). Subsequently, trees defoliated more intensely during the driest months (December to February). The mature fruit phenophase was more intense at the beginning of the next rainy season (April to June). Results showed the tendency that evaluated C. pyiriformis phenophases register annual cycles and are related to rainfall in this region.