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Azadirachta indica is a species of multiple uses originated from India. It belongs to Meliaceae family. This species was introduced in Brazil in 1993. The first experimental trials were established in the State of Goiás, specifically in “Cerrado” (Brazilian savanna) ecosystem. In Northern and Northwestern Brazil neem has been planted in small plots in precipitation conditions ranging from 600 mm (Petrolina, PE) to 2200 mm (Castanhal, PA). There are more cultivation in the States of São Paulo and Bahia and in Central Brazil, where precipitation ranges from 1000 to 2000 mm, especially concentrated in the summer. However, mostly of planted neem has not been based on the best indicating methodology of species, considering regional differences where adequate soil and climate conditions were not taken into account . This work aimed to provide information about soil and climate needs for neem based on the available literature.

Sample sizes required for the detection of significant differences among experimental treatments in scientific research are presented. An approach based on the magnitude of the coefficient of determination (R2) among treatments was used. The required sample sizes decrease with increase in R2. For detecting true differences with magnitudes of one standard deviation of the trait, the required sample size are 15 to 5 for R2 ranging from 5% to 70%.

Exploitation of imbuya (Ocotea porosa) occurred at the same time of Araucaria angustifolia. Imbuya is threatned of extinction, owns a valuable wood and for these characteristics, Embrapa Florestas, located at Colombo, State of Paraná, Brazil, decided to make efforts for its conservation ex-situ. Collects in Southern Brazil at the localities of Caçador, Canoinhas (State of Santa Catarina), Colombo and Bocaiúva do Sul (State of Paraná) were realized. A complete randomized design was used in 12 months age seedlings. In this experiment, height of thirty one progenies ordered in plots of five plants with four replications was measured. The general mean for height was 16,55 cm. The additive genetic variance estimate was 72,03, the heritability coefficient estimate in the level of average of progenies was 0,83 and selective accuracy was 0,91. Genetic gain will be 48,9% for the next generation of recurrent selection.

Growing annual crops and erva-mate is one way of increasing farm revenue and reducing initial costs. Lines of erva-mate were planted 6 m apart from each other, in 1994. Starting on the winter of 1995, seven soil cover crops were seeded annually: Avena strigosa, C, Lollium multiflorum , Vicia pilosa L., Raphanus sativus L., plant mix and weeds ( test plot ). On summer of 1996, five soil tillage systems were tested growing soybean: minimum tillage (ripping), no tillage, conventional tillage, rotary tillage and animal tracking moldboard tillage. First pruning was performed in 1998, and production pruning started in 1999, and was repeated every two years. Soil sampling for chemical and physical analysis was done during the winter of 1996 and 2001. There was significant difference of ervamate yields for both tillage systems and soil cover crops. The highest production was obtained tilling the interrow with animal tracking moldboard plow (5,5 kg/plant) whose yield was different from all other tillage systems, except from conventional tillage, in the harvesting of the year 2001. The highest erva-mate yield (5,8 kg/plant in 2001) was obtained growing Lollium multiflorum as soil cover crop, and the lowest yield (3,3 kg/plant in 2001) was obtained letting normal weeds grow on the interrow. It was observed an increase in soil resistance measured on planting line compared to values obtained on the interrow.

The objective of the present work was to compare three different methods of chemical analysis of vegetable tissue: the method of nitro-percloric digestion, Tedesco et al. and Adler & Wilcox. As material was analyzed 03 samples of the fraction leaves of the litter collected in each one of the two Seasonal Deciduous Forest fragments, collected in August of 1990 in the forest of the “Hill of the Elephant” (Santa Maria city, RS) and in August of 1995 in Santa Tereza’s forest, RS. The analyses were made at the Laboratory of Forest Ecology, in Department of Forest Sciences of UFSM. The results evidenced that the content of P extracted for the method of Adler & Wilcox and the nitro-percloric digestion was similar. The contents of K extracted for the three methods were similar. The method of nitropercloric digestion extracted high contents of Ca and relatively superiors of Mg. The method Tedesco et al. it presented smaller extraction efficiency for P, Ca and Mg. In spite of the largest extraction efficiency, the method of digestion nitropercloric presents larger use risks.

A provenance/progenies trial of grevílea (Grevillea robusta Cunn.) was established in the Ponta Grossa region, state of Paraná, Brazil. The purpose was to identify genetically superior individuals in order to assure good material for future seed orchard. The genetic matherial was based on 60 half-sib progenies from eighteen Australian provenances and one control. Progenies were evaluated in randomized blocks with seven replications, five plants per plot and spacing of 3 m x 3 m (9 m2 per plant). Significant gains were estimated through selection of the 200 best trees (23,33%), for cilindric volume, at 10 years age, based on genetic values, aiming to establish a seedling seed orchard; or selecting the best twenty trees (33,33%), towards a clonal seed orchard.

The present research work aimed to test several taper models and to select the one of the best adjustment. The used data, belonging to Duraflora S. A. Located in the county of Agudos, State of São Paulo, is composed of 1100 trees of Pinus oocarpa distributed in 11 management regimes. The adjusted models were: Polinomial of the 5th degree, Polinomial of 2nd degree, Polynomial of Fractionary power, beside the models of volume ratio from Amateis & Burkhart, and the one from Clutter. The selection of the best model was based on a “ ranking “ with the determination coefficient (R2) and the standard error of estimate in percentage (Syx%) and posterior graphic analysis of the stem profile to detect the model that provided diameter estimates more acurated inside and outside bark. Analyzing the results it was concluded that the best model to express, on the average, the diameter along the stem of the trees of Pinus oocarpa, and best describes the profile of the trees, was that one of Fractionary Power.

Acacia mearnsii is the third forest species more planted in Brazil, especially in small farms at Rio Grande do Sul State. The species is also known as black wattle and is important as a source of tannin, timber, pulpwood and rayon. Its fast growth results in high demand of nutrients and fertilization is necessary to keep site productivity. In this paper it is reported the results of the application of four doses of Phosphorous (0, 20, 40, 80g/tree as P2O5) and three of Potassium (0, 20, 40g/tree as K2O), in a factorial designed trial established on a chemically poor soil at the region of Ponta Grossa, State of Paraná, Brazil. Trees were implanted in a 3m X 2m spacing with 35 plants per plot. The fertilizers were applied in furrows between the rows at the moment of planting. The results obtained at 61 months allowed the following conclusions: Application of Phosphorous, Potassium and combination of both increased wood volume in relation to the control (from 19% to 70%). The greatest increase in wood volume (70%) were obtained for the combination of P and K with 40 g of P2O5 + 40 g of K2O.

Litter production and nutrient deposition were assessed in a four year old (Grevillea rubusta Cunn) plantation in Quedas do Iguaçu, southwestern of State Paraná. The trial was established on soil classified as Haplustox (LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Distroférrico). The results showed the following features: i) Grevillea produces a large amount of litter (1,267 Kg/ha); more than various Pinus and Eucalyptus atands in similar conditions; ii) The nutrient levels in the litter are not correlated whith volume of wood produced; (the only exception was the decrease of the level of P as volume increased; iii) A positive and significant (>90,0%) correlation was evident between volume of wood produced and amount of nutrients in the litter. iv) The largest amount of litter was produced by Fine Flower provenance, and the smallest by Albert River; v) Control plots deposited the largest amount of K and Zn while other nutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe and Mn) were deposited in larger amounts by the Fine Flower provenance.

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.