Selecting for rust (Puccinia psidii) reistance in Euclyptus grandis in São Paulo state, Brazil

In Brazil, Eucalyptus grandis is a key species for wood production. However, some genotypes are susceptible to rust (Puccinia psidii), mainly in São Paulo State, where climatic conditions are favorable for its development. Rust represents a high economic risk to forest companies because of the high potential of damage to commercial eucalypt plantations. The aims of the present study were (i) to select progenies of E. grandis for stability and adaptability regarding resistance to rust at different locations; (ii) compare the selections under these different climatic conditions; and (iii) compare rust severity in the field with the theoretical model. We observed that climatic conditions were extremely influential factors for rust development, but even under favorable conditions for disease development, we found rust-resistant progenies. In sites unfavorable for rust development, we detected highly susceptible progenies. We found significant correlation among the genetic material, environmental conditions and disease symptoms, however, we observed a simple genotype-environmental interaction and significant genetic variability among the progenies. The average heritability was high among the progenies in all sites, indicating substantial genetic control for rust resistance. We also observed a good relationship between rust severity in the field and the theoretical model that considered annual average temperature and leaf wetness.

Sobrevivência de enxertos de Eucalyptus com metodologia adaptada

One of the important techniques to assist a tree improvement program is the grafting, which is used for the propagation of selected trees. The objective of this study was to evaluate the survival rate using a modified method of lateral grafting on Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus urophylla and a hybrid of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis. The work was conducted by the research teams of Eucatex and Palmasola companies, in September of 2011, and 589 grafts were made. The survival rate of the grafts was evaluated 180 days after grafting. Survival grafts rates were: 74% for E. dunnii, 55% for E. urophylla and 62% for the hybrid E. urophylla x E. grandis. These survival rates were higher than those currently obtained by the conventional method of eucalypt grafting. Thus, the method seems promising to assist in forest tree improvement programs, but further studies are still necessary to refine this grafting approach.

Does diatomaceous earth control leaf-cutter ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Eucalyptus plantations?

Genus Atta includes some of the most important Formicidae leaf cutter ants which cause extensive damage to the eucalyptus plantations. Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, one of the chief pests in Brazilian reforestation, can restrict and reduce forest productivity by its intense and constant leaf-cutting activities on plants at all stages. Therefore, the demand for new products to control A. sexdens rubropilosa indicates the study of the utilization of the dry powder formulation of diatomaceous earth (DE) against this pest in the eucalyptus cultivars. The study was conducted using 120 colonies of A. sexdens rubropilosa in Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden x Eucalyptus urophylla Blake (Myrtaceae) (urograndis) stand. The randomized block experimental design was used with six treatments (1, 10, 25, and 50 g/m2 of DE, 6.0 g/m2 sulfluramid bait per square meter of loose soil, and the control) with five replications, each with four colonies of this ant. Diatomaceous earth was applied to the active A. sexdens rubropilosa ant holes, and the sulfluramid bait was applied in bulk in a localized manner. The control efficacy of A. sexdens rubropilosa with DE was low, showing values similar to that of the control, and, for this reason, it cannot be used to control this ant. The bait with sulfluramid showed higher efficacy than those of the other treatments.

Avaliação de um sistema florestal de curta rotação de Eucalyptus spp. em função da desbrota e adubação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cultivo de Eucalyptus urograndis em atmosfera enriquecida com CO2: mudanças no proteoma cloroplastidial

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of irrigation on water use and water use efficiency in two fast growing Eucalyptus plantations

Eucalyptus plantations occupy almost 20 million ha worldwide and exceed 3.7 million ha in Brazil alone. Improved genetics and silviculture have led to as much as a three-fold increase in productivity in Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil and the large land area occupied by these highly productive ecosystems raises concern over their effect on local water supplies. As part of the Brazil Potential Productivity Project, we measured water use of Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla clones in rainfed and irrigated stands in two plantations differing in productivity. The Aracruz (lower productivity) site is located in the state of Espirito Santo and the Veracel (higher productivity) site in Bahia state. At each plantation, we measured stand water use using homemade sap flow sensors and a calibration curve using the clones and probes we utilized in the study. We also quantified changes in growth, leaf area and water use efficiency (the amount of wood produced per unit of water transpired). Measurements were conducted for 1 year during 2005 at Aracruz and from August through December 2005 at Veracel. Transpiration at both sites was high compared to other studies but annual estimates at Aracruz for the rainfed treatment compared well with a process model calibrated for the Aracruz site (within 10%). Annual water use at Aracruz was 1394 mm in rainfed treatments versus 1779 mm in irrigated treatments and accounted for approximately 67% and 58% of annual precipitation and irrigation inputs respectively. Increased water use in the irrigated stands at Aracruz was associated with higher sapwood area, leaf area index and transpiration per unit leaf area but there was no difference in the response of canopy conductance with air saturation deficit between treatments. Water use efficiency at the Aracruz site was also not influenced by irrigation and was similar to the rainfed treatment. During the period of overlapping measurements, the response to irrigation treatments at the more productive Veracel site was similar to Aracruz. Stand water use at the Veracel site totaled 975 mm and 1102 mm in rainfed and irrigated treatments during the 5-month measurement period respectively. Irrigated stands at Veracel also had higher leaf area with no difference in the response of canopy conductance with air saturation deficit between treatments. Water use efficiency was also unaffected by irrigation at Veracel. Results from this and other studies suggest that improved resource availability does not negatively impact water use efficiency but increased productivity of these plantations is associated with higher water use and should be given consideration during plantation management decision making processes aimed at increasing productivity. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Do changes in carbon allocation account for the growth response to potassium and sodium applications in tropical Eucalyptus plantations?

Understanding the underlying mechanisms that account for the impact of potassium (K) fertilization and its replacement by sodium (Na) on tree growth is key to improving the management of forest plantations that are expanding over weathered tropical soils with low amounts of exchangeable bases. A complete randomized block design was planted with Eucalyptus grandis (W. Hill ex Maiden) to quantify growth, carbon uptake and carbon partitioning using a carbon budget approach. A combination of approaches including the establishment of allometric relationships over the whole rotation and measurements of soil CO2 efflux and aboveground litterfall at the end of the rotation were used to estimate aboveground net production (ANPP), total belowground carbon flux and gross primary production (GPP). The stable carbon isotope (delta C-13) of stem wood alpha-cellulose produced every year was used as a proxy for stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. Potassium fertilization increased GPP and decreased the fraction of carbon allocated belowground. Aboveground net production was strongly enhanced, and because leaf lifespan increased, leaf biomass was enhanced without any change in leaf production, and wood production (P-W) was dramatically increased. Sodium application decreased the fraction of carbon allocated belowground in a similar way, and enhanced GPP, ANPP and P-W, but to a lesser extent compared with K fertilization. Neither K nor Na affected delta C-13 of stem wood alpha-cellulose, suggesting that water-use efficiency was the same among the treatments and that the inferred increase in leaf photosynthesis was not only related to a higher stomatal conductance. We concluded that the response to K fertilization and Na addition on P-W resulted from drastic changes in carbon allocation.

Effects of pretreatment on morphology, chemical composition and enzymatic digestibility of eucalyptus bark: a potentially valuable source of fermentable sugars for biofuel production – part 1

Abstract Background In recent years, the growing demand for biofuels has encouraged the search for different sources of underutilized lignocellulosic feedstocks that are available in sufficient abundance to be used for sustainable biofuel production. Much attention has been focused on biomass from grass. However, large amounts of timber residues such as eucalyptus bark are available and represent a potential source for conversion to bioethanol. In the present paper, we investigate the effects of a delignification process with increasing sodium hydroxide concentrations, preceded or not by diluted acid, on the bark of two eucalyptus clones: Eucalyptus grandis (EG) and the hybrid, E. grandis x urophylla (HGU). The enzymatic digestibility and total cellulose conversion were measured, along with the effect on the composition of the solid and the liquor fractions. Barks were also assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-Ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results Compositional analysis revealed an increase in the cellulose content, reaching around 81% and 76% of glucose for HGU and EG, respectively, using a two-step treatment with HCl 1%, followed by 4% NaOH. Lignin removal was 84% (HGU) and 79% (EG), while the hemicellulose removal was 95% and 97% for HGU and EG, respectively. However, when we applied a one-step treatment, with 4% NaOH, higher hydrolysis efficiencies were found after 48 h for both clones, reaching almost 100% for HGU and 80% for EG, in spite of the lower lignin and hemicellulose removal. Total cellulose conversion increased from 5% and 7% to around 65% for HGU and 59% for EG. NMR and FTIR provided important insight into the lignin and hemicellulose removal and SEM studies shed light on the cell-wall unstructuring after pretreatment and lignin migration and precipitation on the fibers surface, which explain the different hydrolysis rates found for the clones. Conclusion Our results show that the single step alkaline pretreatment improves the enzymatic digestibility of Eucalyptus bark. Furthermore, the chemical and physical methods combined in this study provide a better comprehension of the pretreatment effects on cell-wall and the factors that influence enzymatic digestibility of this forest residue.

Effects of nitrogen source and ectomycorrhizal association on growth and delta N-15 of two subtropical Eucalyptus species from contrasting ecosystems

Ectomycorrhizal (EM) associations facilitate plant nitrogen (N) acquisition, but the contribution of EM associations to tree N nutrition is difficult to ascertain in ecosystems. We studied the abilities of subtropical EM fungi and nutritionally contrasting Eucalyptus species, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus racemosa Cav, to use N sources in axenic and soil cultures, and determined the effect of EM fungi on plant N use and plant N-15 natural abundance (delta N-15). As measured by seedling growth, both species showed little dependence on EM when growing in the N-rich minerotrophic soil from E. grandis rainforest habitat or in axenic culture with inorganic N sources. Both species were heavily dependent on EM associations when growing in the N-poor, organotrophic soil from the E. racemosa wallum habitat or in axenic culture with organic N sources. In axenic culture, EM associations enabled both species to use organic N when supplied with amide-, peptide- or protein-N. Grown axenically with glutamine- or protein-N, delta N-15 of almost all seedlings was lower than source N. The delta N-15 of all studied organisms was higher than the N source when grown on glutathione. This unexpected N-15 enrichment was perhaps due to preferential uptake of an N moiety more N-15-enriched than the bulk molecular average. Grown with ammonium-N, the delta N-15 of non-EM seedlings was mostly higher than that of source N. In contrast, the delta N-15 of EM seedlings was mostly lower than that of source N, except at the lowest ammonium concentration. Discrimination against N-15 was strongest when external ammonium concentration was high. We suggest that ammonium assimilation via EM fungi may be the cause of the often observed distinct foliar delta N-15 of EM and non-EM species, rather than use of different N sources by species with different root specialisations. In support of this notion, delta N-15 of soil and leaves in the rainforest were similar for E. grandis and co-occurring non-mycorrhizal Proteaceae. In contrast, in wallum forest, E. racemosa leaves and roots were strongly N-15-depleted relative to wallum soil and Proteaceae leaves. We conclude that foliar delta N-15 may be used in conjunction with other ecosystem information as a rapid indicator of plant dependency on EM associations for N acquisition.

Evidence for different QTL underlying the immune and hypersensitive responses of Eucalyptus globulus to the rust pathogen Puccinia psidii

The rust Puccinia psidii infects many species in the family Myrtaceae. Native to South America, the pathogen has recently entered Australia which has a rich Myrtaceous flora, including trees of the ecologically and economically important genus Eucalyptus. We studied the genetic basis of variation in rust resistance in Eucalyptus globulus, the main plantation eucalypt in Australia. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was undertaken using 218 genotypes of an outcross F2 mapping family, phenotyped by controlled inoculation of their open pollinated progeny with the strain of P. psidii found in Australia. QTL analyses were conducted using a binary classification of individuals with no symptoms (immune) versus those with disease symptoms, and in a separate analysis dividing plants with disease symptoms into those exhibiting the hypersensitive response versus those with more severe symptoms. Four QTL were identified, two influencing whether a plant exhibited symptoms (Ppr2 and Ppr3), and two influencing the presence or absence of a hypersensitive reaction (Ppr4 and Ppr5). These QTL mapped to four different linkage groups, none of which overlap with Ppr1, the major QTL previously identified for rust resistance in Eucalyptus grandis. Candidate genes within the QTL regions are presented and possible mechanisms discussed. Together with past findings, our results suggest that P. psidii resistance in eucalypts is quantitative in nature and influenced by the complex interaction of multiple loci of variable effect.

MULTIPLICAÇÃO E ALONGAMENTO IN VITRO DE CLONES HÍBRIDOS DE Eucalyptus globulus

Os híbridos de Eucalyptus globulus representam uma excelente alternativa para o setor de celulose e papel, em razão dos ganhos em qualidade da madeira para a fabricação de celulose. Entretanto, estes híbridos têm apresentado recalcitrância ao enraizamento adventício. Assim, a micropropagação é apontada como a técnica para o rejuvenescimento desses híbridos adultos, viabilizando a propagação clonal dos mesmos. O presente trabalho avaliou o cultivo in vitro de três clones de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus globulus e de três clones de Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus globulus, em relação à multiplicação in vitro, no meio MS suplementado com 0,5 mg L-1 de BAP e 0,01 mg L-1 de ANA, bem como o efeito das concentrações de 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,0 mg L-1 de AIB e dos meios de cultura MS e JADS no alongamento in vitro das brotações. Os clones diferiram quanto à multiplicação in vitro das brotações e apresentaram uma taxa de multiplicação média dos clones de 3,0 tufos de brotações em cada subcultivo, ao longo dos 25 subcultivos realizados. No alongamento in vitro, os clones diferiram quanto às concentrações de AIB adequadas para provocar o alongamento, bem como em relação aos meios de cultura MS e JADS. O intervalo médio entre 0,40 e 0,80 mg L-1 de AIB proporcionou o maior número e comprimento das brotações alongadas in vitro e com maior vigor.

Performance and quality of wood in a clone of Eucalyptus in monoculture and silvipastoral system.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar e comparar o desempenho e as variações na qualidade da madeirade árvores de eucalipto implantadas em sistema silvipastoril e em monocultivo. Os dados foram coletados em 13 árvores amostras aos 36 meses de idade, selecionadas em função do intervalo de confiança da média dos diâmetros a altura do peito (DAP), e da posição das árvores na faixa de plantio no sistema silvipastoril, com face de exposição sul, norte e central. Foram avaliadas as variáveis DAP, altura total e altura comercial, volume e conicidade do tronco, densidade básica e deslocamento da medula. Concluiu-se que no sistema silvipastoril as árvores apresentaram maior DAP, menor altura total e maior conicidade do tronco que no monocultivo. O DAP não diferiu em relação à posição na faixa de plantio, porém as árvores com face de exposição norte foram mais baixas e cônicas. A densidade básica e o deslocamento da medula não foram influenciados pelo sistema de cultivo.

Modelagem de biomassa por unidade de área em plantações de Eucalyptus no Estado de Minas Gerais.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a quantidade de biomassa seca em plantios de Eucalyptus no estado de Minas Gerais, a partir de resultados de 244 parcelas de inventário florestal, considerando variações de qualidade do sítio, área basal e idade entre 2 e 8 anos. Foi estabelecida a classificação de sítio, com ajuste de equação utilizando os dados de idade e altura dominante. A biomassa total por hectare foi calculada multiplicando-se o volume por hectare pela densidade da madeira de Eucalyptus grandis e por um fator de expansão de biomassa. Avaliando-se a correlação entre biomassa total por hectare e variáveis ambientais e dendrométricas, verificou-se que a área basal e o índice de sítio foram as duas variáveis do povoamento de correlação mais alta, 0,93 e 0,64, respectivamente. Doze modelos foram ajustados para representar a quantidade de biomassa total por hectare tendo como variáveis independentes a área basal, o índice de sítio e a idade, bem como combinações entre estas. O modelo que apresentou melhor ajuste e precisão foi: Bs = exp[−6,7518 + 0,9567 × ln(G) + 0,0388 × ln?(G) + 4,0732 × ln(IS) − 0,4799 × ln?(IS)] × 1,0020, com R²ajustado de 0,955 e Syx% de 5,29%, e indicou valores de estoque de biomassa entre 39,7 e 174,9 Mg.ha-1, para área basal entre 8,9 e 27,9 m2.ha-1. A aplicação do modelo ajustado, com as variáveis índice de sitio e área basal por hectare, pode estimar de maneira prática e precisa a biomassa total por hectare, por utilizar variáveis de simples obtenção e por ter sido gerada a partir de um conjunto de dados com pouca variabilidade atribuída ao material genético.

Soil carbon and nitrogen in pasture soil reforested with eucalyptus and guachapele.

Apesar de os teores de matéria orgânica serem normalmente baixos em solos arenosos, ela é responsável por quase a totalidade da CTC, armazenamento de água e disponibilidade de nutrientes desses solos. A avaliação de sistemas de exploração florestais alternativos, com vistas em incrementar a acumulação de C e N, devem ser incentivados. Este estudo compara plantios puros e mistos de Eucalyptus grandis e Pseudosamanea guachapele, leguminosa fixadora de N2, em relação os estoques de C e N do solo. Os plantios foram realizados em áreas anteriormente manejadas com Panicum maximum num Planossolo, que, por pelo menos dez anos, não recebeu qualquer fertilizante. Para estimar o C e o N estocado, foram retiradas amostras das camadas de 0-2,5; 2,5-5,0; 5,0-7,5; 7,5-10,0; 10,0-20,0 e 20,0-40,0 cm tanto nos plantios puros e mistos, quanto na área de pasto. A técnica da abundância natural do 13C foi utilizada na estimativa do C originado das árvores nos 10 cm superficiais. Os estoques de C e N, no plantio misto atingiu valores de 23,83 e 1,74 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Nos puros, de guachapele e eucalipto, e no pasto os estoques de C estimados foram de 14,20; 17,19 e 24,24 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Para os mesmos tratamentos, os estoques de N foram estimados em 0,83; 0,99 e 1,71 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Mais de 40 % do C do solo sob o plantio misto foram estimados como sendo derivados das árvores, enquanto nos plantios puros de eucalipto e guachapele, a contribuição do C das árvores ficou em 19 e 27 %, respectivamente. Esses resultados evidenciam que a presença da leguminosa no plantio consorciado aumenta os estoques de C e N do solo.

Biological nitrogen fixation and nutrient release from litter of the guachapele leguminous tree under pure and mixed plantation with eucalyptus.

A Pseudosamanea guachapele (guachapele), leguminosa arbórea fixadora de nitrogênio, é uma alternativa para plantios florestais mistos nos trópicos. Como são escassas as informações sobre a espécie em plantios mistos de eucalipto em condições edafoclimáticas brasileiras, foi conduzido um experimento no qual objetivou-se avaliar a contribuição da fixação biológica de nitrogênio para a guachapele e a velocidade de decomposição e de liberação de nutrientes de folhas senescentes de eucalipto e guachapele (oriundas dos plantios puros e consorciado). A porcentagem de N derivado da atmosfera (% Ndfa) foi estimada comparando-se a abundância natural de 15N ( 15N, ) nos tecidos da guachapele com a observada nos tecidos do Eucalyptus grandis, espécie não fixadora, ambas com sete anos de idade. A constante de decomposição (k) e a meia-vida (t1/2) de serapilheira foram estimadas utilizando-se o modelo exponencial aplicado aos dados oriundos de coletas de litterbags. A estimativa da %Ndfa para guachapele, em condições de plantio puro, variou de 17 a 36%, enquanto que, em condições de plantio consorciado, foi de 35 a 60 %. A concentração de N nas folhas senescentes estava positivamente relacionada com a taxa de decomposição, sendo essa decrescente da guachapele para o eucalipto. A t1/2 dos resíduos diferiu significativamente (p < 0.05), sendo de 148, 185 e 218 dias para as folhas de guachapele, mistura das duas espécies e eucalipto, respectivamente. A liberação dos nutrientes (principalmente N, K e Mg) das folhas seguiu a mesma ordem da t1/2 devido à qualidade inicial das mesmas. Os resultados indicam que a guachapele pode beneficiar o plantio misto pela adição de N e por meio da intensificação da decomposição da serapilheira.