Modelo matemático aplicado na vaporização de toras de Eucalyptus grandis

O objetivo deste estudo é obter um modelo matemático logístico que representa a vaporização de toras de Eucalyptus grandis, em função do diâmetro e do tempo de permanência das toras no tratamento térmico a vapor. Para tanto, foram coletadas toras nas classes diamétricas de 25 a 40 cm de três árvores de E. grandis provenientes do Horto Florestal de Mandurí, SP. Em cada uma das toras foram inseridos três termopares, com profundidades distintas, 1/3 do raio; 2/3 do raio e o terceiro, próximo ao seu centro. Posteriormente, as toras foram vaporizadas a 85ºC e 100% de umidade relativa, até que o último termopar atingisse uma temperatura de 80ºC. Um Datalogger CR10 registrou as temperaturas, no interior do material, durante o tratamento térmico. Conclui-se que o modelo matemático logístico foi bem ajustado, obtido no tratamento térmico com vapor, levando em consideração as três classes de diâmetro e a profundidade máxima de 50 mm de raio, o modelo gerado, apresenta-se uma viabilidade técnica na aplicação do processo de aquecimento de toras com vapor, promovendo um consumo ideal de energia.

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.

Variabilidade genética e alterações morfológicas em progênies de polinização aberta de Eucalyptus grandis sob o efeito do paclobutrazol

The research objective was to study the genetic diversity of morphological traits in Eucalyptus grandis progenies growing under paclobutrazol regulator effects. The progeny trail was set up through design of randomized blocks. The morphological changes occurred before and during the plant flowering were analyzed. The estimation of genetic parameters were for plant height and stem diameter. The paclobutrazol have caused changes on plant development being strong by the beginning and becoming lightening through the evaluations. The coefficients of variation have shown there is higher genetic diversity within than among progenies for the studied traits. Therefore, it can have high efficiency on selection within progenies in the Eucalyptus grandis breeding program.

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.

Towards biological control strategies for the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, on eucalyptus plantations in South America

The bronze bug is an invasive Australian pest that has reached eucalypt production areas worldwide in <10 years. The fi rst record in South America was in 2005 in Argentina. Collaboration in the region towards a unifi ed strategy for the management of the bronze bug started soon after the dispersal of the pest into Brazil and Uruguay was confi rmed. Here, we present the main achievements of this collaboration in four main topics: 1) biology of the pest, 2) monitoring, 3) biological control, and 4) cooperative networks. Two mass rearing procedures have been implemented in the region with relative success, allowing basic biological studies on the pest. Continuous monitoring in the region for >5 years has provided a reasonable knowledge on seasonal patterns of T. peregrinus. Biological control strategies developed include the use of local natural enemies of T. peregrinus, the development of biopesticides, and the introduction of Cleruchoides noackae, an egg parasitoid of T. peregrinus from Australia. We review the main achievements in each country. Finally, a regional network of institutions, researchers, and students has strengthened in the region, providing a solid background for future collaboration.

Biological control of the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil

The bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) was detected in Brazil in 2008 and infested >180 000 ha of eucalyptus plantations in 2011. The bronze bug can cause a reduction of 10–15% in wood productivity after 2 years of heavy infestation. Although there is not an effective control method known, biological control is the main control strategy studied. An exotic egg parasitoid, Cleruchoides noackae (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), was imported from Australia in 2012, reared in a laboratory and released in three Brazilian regions. Parasitoids were recovered at release points after 20–30 d. In 2013, preliminary evaluations demonstrated parasitoid establishment in these areas, and the parasitoid was recovered in adjacent areas after 1 year of release. Bioassays confi rmed egg parasitism of 15–20% by C. noackae. Other native natural enemies were studied. We found green lacewing Chrysoperla externa and predatory bugs Supputius cincticeps and Atopozelus opsimus preying on nymphs and/or adults of T. peregrinus. Another promising possibility is entomopathogenic fungi. Commercial formulations of Beauveria bassiana were tested with success in lab and fi eld conditions. Fusarium proliferatum and Paecilomyces cateniannulatus caused mortality of T. peregrinus in natural epizooties. After 5 years of research, it is possible to develop an integrated pest management system (IPM) for eucalyptus plantations based on biocontrol strategy for bronze bug.

Tamanho de parcelas experimentais e seleção simultânea de caracteres em progênies de Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

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)

Aplicação de polímero hidroretentor no desenvolvimento inicial de Eucalyptus grandis

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Avaliação da influência do caráter lignotúber sobre características silviculturais em testes de progênies de Eucalyptus spp

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aplicação de polímero hidroretentor no desenvolvimento inicial de Eucalyptus grandis

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Avaliação da influência do caráter lignotúber sobre características silviculturais em testes de progênies de Eucalyptus spp

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

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.

EFFECT OF THERMAL TREATMENT ON THE CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD FROM Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden UNDER DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS

Thermal treatment (thermal rectification) is a process in which technological properties of wood are modified using thermal energy, the result of Which is often value-added wood. Thermally treated wood takes on similar color shades to tropical woods and offers considerable resistance to destructive microorganisms and climate action, in addition to having high dimensional stability and low hygroscopicity. Wood samples of Eucalyptus grandis were subjected to various thermal treatments, as performed in presence (140 degrees C; 160 degrees C; 180 degrees C) or in absence of oxygen (160 degrees C; 180 degrees C; 200 degrees C) inside a thermal treatment chamber, and then studied as to their chemical characteristics. Increasing the maximum treatment temperatures led to a reduction in the holocellulose content of samples as a result of the degradation and volatilization of hemicelluloses, also leading to an increase in the relative lignin content. Except for glucose, all monosaccharide levels were found to decrease in samples after the thermal treatment at a maximum temperature of 200 degrees C. The thermal treatment above 160 degrees C led to increased levels of total extractives in the wood samples, probably ascribed to the emergence of low molecular weight substances as a result of thermal degradation. Overall, it was not possible to clearly determine the effect of presence or absence of oxygen in the air during thermal treatment on the chemical characteristics of the relevant wood samples.