Produtividade, demanda e eficiência nutricional de clones de eucalipto em regime de alto fuste e talhadia

Abstract

Eucalyptus is one of the main forest tree used in plantations. In Brazil, in 2010, the area planted to eucalypt amounted 4.754.334 ha, of which 55.8% was in the southeast region (ABRAF, 2011). There are three types of stands: 1) new stands from seedlings; 2) replanted stands from seedlings and 3) stands from coppices. Clonal seedlings are used in these stands, but little information is available on the growth dynamic and nutrient requirement of the trees. Also, there is no much information on the effect of fertilization and time and number of pole selection to be conducted in each stump. Hence, the objectives of this study were to evaluate growth and nutrient demand of hybrid eucalypt clones in the first and second rotations; to evaluate the effect of pole size before the selection and pole number per stump; to evaluate the effect of fertilization on coppice production. Data from two experiments conducted in medium textured Red Yellow Latosol, in the cerrado region of Minas Gerais, were used. In the first experiment, growth and nutrient content of three Eucalyptus urophylla clones (GG 050, GG100 e GG157) were compared. Assessments (diameter and height) were performed at 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 e 84 month after planting. At the end of the first rotation (84 months), above ground biomass and nutrient content were determined from selected mean tree, in three replicates. In the second experiment, coppices of clone GG 157, received or not fertilization and one, two or four coppices, 1 m, 2 m or 4 m high, were conducted. At the end of 67 months, stem volume and biomass and nutrient content of tree above ground components were determined. Clones GG050 and GG157 showed a similar volume growth pattern and initially were superior to GG100. At age 84 months the volume of GG100 was similar to that of GG050. However, clone GG050 accumulated higher amount of nutrients than GG100 and GG157, except for P and K, and, in general, it was less efficient in nutrient utilization. Debarking in the field is recommended to reduce nutrient export, which varies from 20%, for sulfur, to 94%, for calcium. Stem volume of the fertilized plots was 92% higher than the unfertilized ones. Stands conducted by coppicing showed a higher nutrient utilization than those of first rotation. Fertilizing the coppices leads to a lower (51%) nutrient exportation in the bark than the unfertilized coppices (63%). Earlier pole selection (1 m high) resulted in higher production than later selection (2 or 4 m high). The best coppicing treatment (2 poles per stump, selected with 1m height and fertilized) produced 65% more wood than in the first rotation.