Elder Eloy

Influência do espaçamento nas características energéticas de espécies arbóreas em plantios de curta rotação

This study aimed to determine the higher heating value (PCS) of trees and basic density weighted (ρb pond) of wood of Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth and Ateleia glazioviana Baill distributed in different spacings in planting: 2.0 x 1.0 m, 2.0 x 1.5 m, 3.0 x 1.0 m and 3.0 x 1.5 m, at ages of 1 and 3 years. The study was conducted in an experiment in the city of Frederico Westphalen, State of RS, in experimental design of randomized complete block design with three replications in a split plots. The determination of the PCS of the trees was made from the weighting of the values obtained in each compartment (wood, bark, twig and leaf) using calorimeter bomb. The determination of ρb pond was performed from the weighting of the values recorded on discs collected at different positions along the stem, using the method of hydrostatic balance and dry mass. The PCS of all species in the first year after planting was higher than the third year, highlighting the Acacia mearnsii with the highest averages. The ρb pond had no systematic trend of increase or decrease over time, and the species Acacia mearnsii and Ateleia glazioviana showed the highest values. The different planting spacings did not induce the change in PCS and ρb pond in the species studied and it was not verified a positive or negative systematic trend in relation to the living space provided by the spacing.

Relações fisiológicas em mudas de pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia forficata Link)

Environmental elements, such as air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation, affect the physiological behavior of plants, which is reflected in their growth and development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological changes of Brazilian Orchid Tree seedlings over a typical day and find the best time to carry out determinations of gas exchanges. For this end, we evaluated temperature of the leaf, photosynthetically active radiation, stomatal resistance and perspiration, using a porometer, from 8:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m., in intervals of one hour between measurements. The species presents oscillations in its physiologic mechanism in function of the time of evaluation and climatic conditions, being the most suitable interval to determine gas exchanges from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.

Growth of tree species and sugarcane production in agroforestry systems

The appropriate choice of tree species and planting arrangement for use in agroforestry systems is very important in order to maximize productivity and sustainability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of five tree species and its effect on sugarcane yields in different planting arrays in agroforestry systems. The study was conducted from 2007 to 2011 in the city of Frederico Westphalen, RS, Brazil. The five studied tree species were: guapuruvu (Schizolobium parahybae), bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella), canafístula (Peltophorum dubium), angico-vermelho (Parapiptadenia rigida) and eucalypt (Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake x Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden). Root collar diameter, diameter at breast height, plant height and mean diameter of crown were evaluated for four years with an interval of 90 days between assessments. Yield data for sugarcane were collected in June 2009, 2010, and 2011. Eucalypt presented the greatest root collar diameter values, diameter at breast height, crown development, and plant height. Angico-vermelho, canafístula and eucalypt presented a higher growth in the strip system, while guapuruvu presented the greater growth in the line system. Bracatinga was not influenced by an arrangement in the agroforestry systems. Sugarcane presented greater production in the understory of angico and bracatinga.

Effects of growth reducer and nitrogen fertilization on morphological variables, SPAD index, interception of radiation and productivity of wheat

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth reducer and nitrogen fertilization on morphological variables, SPAD index, radiation interception, and grain yield of three cultivars of wheat. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial scheme 3x5x2, with three cultivars (Mestre, Iguacu and Itaipu), five nitrogen doses (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 Kg ha-1), and application or no application of a growth reducer, with three replications. The following characteristics were evaluated: plant height, SPAD index, leaf area index (LAI), Global Radiation Interception (GRI) and grain yield. The Tukey test (p < 0.05) was used for the comparison between the means of cultivar and growth reducer factors, and for a regression analysis to evaluate N levels. Increasing the dose of nitrogen promotes an increase in LAI of plants of wheat crops differently among cultivars, which leads to a greater degree of global radiation interception. At doses higher or equal to 120 Kg ha-1 of nitrogen, there are significant differences in grain yield between treatments with and without the application of the growth reducer. The significant interaction between growth reducer and nitrogen dose, showed that applications of growth reducer increase the GRI at doses above and below 80 Kg ha-1 of nitrogen. Nitrogen rates of 138 and 109 Kg ha-1 are responsible for maximum grain yields of wheat, which is 4235 and 3787 Kg ha-1 with and without the use of growth reducer, respectively.