Sandra Monteiro Borges Florsheim

Basic specific gravity and anatomy of Peltophorum dubium wood as a function of provenance and radial position

We studied the wood of Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. (Fabaceae), popularly known in Brazil as canafistula, from two seed provenances with different climates. The trees were planted in a third place and cut when 28 years old. Based on differences in seed origins, we hypothesized that some differences would be observed in wood density and anatomical features between provenances and that the radial variation pattern would also differ. However, we did not observe any differences in basic specific gravity or anatomical features between the provenances, which may partly be explained by the conservative nature of wood compared with the external characteristics more susceptible to environmental stresses. In fact, based on the literature and our previous findings, radial variation in P. dubium was similar to that found in many native species, including, for example, increase in basic specific gravity, length and wall thickness of the fibers, increase in vessel diameter and decrease in vessel frequency toward the bark. Based on our results, it can be concluded that P. dubium has high plant adaptability in different locations and that consistency in the quality of its wood can be maintained between provenances, with concomitant implications for both production and use.

Variação radial da densidade básica e dimensões celulares da madeira de Cariniana legalis (Mart.) O. Kuntze em função da procedência

Provenance tests can provide information about the silvicultural behavior and wood quality for the exploration of variability and conservation of genetic material for future use. This study aims to investigate the effect of provenances on some wood properties of the Cariniana legalis. Seedlings of three provenances (Porto Ferreira, Piracicaba and Campinas) were planted in Luiz Antonio-SP using randomized block design with six replicates. After 26 years of planting, eighteen trees, six of each provenance, were felled. The properties studied were basic density and the cellular dimensions. The results revealed that the basic density, fiber length, fiber wall thickness, vessel element length, vessel diameter, uniseriate ray height and width were influenced by the provenances. A good positive relationship was found among the fiber length, fiber wall thickness, vessel element length; vessel diameter and multiseriate ray height with radial position and a negative relation between vessel frequency with the radial position.

EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION ON CELL SIZE IN WOOD OF Eucalyptus grandis HILL Ex Maiden

The use of fertilization in forest stands results in yield gains, yet little attention has been directed to its potential effects on the quality of wood produced. Information is scarce about the effect of fertilization on anatomical structures of older Eucalyptus wood. This work aims to study the effect of fertilization on tissue cell size of wood from a Eucalyptus grandis stand at age 21 years, the management system of which is based on selective thinning and fertilizer application at the start of the thinning season. Factors to consider include: presence or absence of fertilizers, two log positions and five radial (pith to bark) positions. Results led to the conclusion that fertilization significantly influenced only vessel frequency. Vessel element length was influenced by tree height. Fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber wall thickness, vessel element length, vessel diameter and vessel frequency were influenced by the radial position of the sample in relation to the log. A positive correlation was observed between fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber wall thickness, vessel element length, vessel diameter, ray width and radial position, while a negative correlation was observed between ray frequency and radial position.

ECOLOGICAL WOOD ANATOMY OF OCOTEA CURUCUTUENSIS

We studied wood anatomy and specific gravity in a total of 18 trees of Ocotea curucutuensis, a recently described species, lacking wood anatomical information. Nine sample trees were obtained in each of two areas, Pico do Itapeva (PI) and Nucleo Curucutu (NC), both in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. These areas have marked differences in precipitation, altitude, and temperature. Anatomical differences between the two populations appeared related to tree size, and possibly indirectly to climate. Higher wood specific gravity related with the smaller diameter in NC trees is hypothesized to contribute to mechanical support of the epiphyte-laden trees and to resistance against the prevailing strong winds.

Relationships among wood anatomy, hydraulic conductivity, density and shear parallel to the grain in the wood of 24-year-old Handroanthus vellosoi (Bignoniaceae)

We studied the relationships among wood anatomy, hydraulic conductivity, density and shear parallel to the grain in the stem of Handroanthus vellosoi trees with the goal to identify possible trade-offs between hydraulic conductivity and mechanical properties. For this study we felled 12 trees with 24-year-old and cut 10-cm-thick disks at three heights: base of the trunk, one meter in height, and two meters in height. We propose that the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and mechanical resistance found along the H. vellosoi trunk indicates greater mechanical investment in the wood at the base of the trunk compared with the other two heights (1 and 2 meters). Anatomically, this would be represented by smaller diameter vessels and fibers with thicker walls. Consequently, strength investment implies lower water conductivity at the stem base. However, more studies are needed to determine whether this lower value with respect to 1 and 2 meters represents a significant effect on water transport along the stem.

Genetic Versus Environmental Influence on Radial Variation in Myracrodruon urundeuva Wood

We hypothesized that Myracrodruon urundeuva trees of two provenances with different genotypes would present variations influenced by their origin terms of anatomy and specific gravity when planted in an environment different from their seed origin, but under the same environmental conditions. We investigated radial variation in 12 trees. The observation that only vessel frequency and fiber length showed the same pattern of radial variation in the two provenances indicate that radial variation in M. urundeuva seems to depend on the origin of the seeds, that is, a genetic factor, rather than on the influence of climate and soil, which repreent environmental factors. We noticed marked differences in all features when comparing the same growth rings in each provenance, a result that reinforces the genetic influence on wood formation. We conclude that the studied plants maintain their wood structure as a result of genetic information, as selected by climatic conditions of seed original area, and possibly due to the highly conservative wood anatomy.

Differences between root and stem wood in seedlings and sprouts of Sessea brasiliensis (Solanaceae)

Young Sessea brasiliensis trees derived from seeds and sprouts after coppicing were analyzed for differences in axial variation of anatomical features. It was hypothesized that 1) quantitative variation in anatomical features in the axial direction would indicate adjustments in water conductivity and mechanical strength along tree height and 2) significant quantitative differences in anatomical features would be observed between trees originating from seed compared to those derived from sprouts after coppicing. Results showed that wood originating from sprouts after coppicing developed differently from wood originating from seeds. Specifically, for seed provenance samples, narrower vessels were observed in the transition zone, whereas for sprouting provenance, narrower vessels were seen in roots and trunk base. Also, when comparing axial variation between seeds and sprouts, vessel diameter was smaller in plants of seed origin in the transition zone, whereas fiber diameter was smaller in trunk top and branch in plants of seed and sprouting provenances, respectively. Higher rays were observed in branch and trunk top when comparing different axial position in both origins. Thus, the first hypothesis is confirmed by significant axial variation in vessels, fibers and rays, and the second hypothesis is confirmed by the significant differences observed between trees of seed and sprout origins.

Some Properties of Astronium graveolens Wood Along the Stem

We investigated the axial variation of specific gravity, shear parallel to the grain and anatomical features of Astronium graveolens wood and related these properties to the anatomy along the stem. We felled five 20-year-old trees and cut discs from four different stem heights, including stem base, 1 meter, 2 meters and 3 meters, for a total of 20 discs, and studied wood samples near the bark and at the base of trunk. Axial variations found appear to provide a balance between mechanical strength of the wood at stem base by the higher density and higher shear by the increase in ray frequency that contributes to locking the vertical cells and growth rings, thus preventing the stem from easily breaking when bent. For hydraulic conductivity, vessels with smaller diameter and frequency at the stem base help prevent the occurrence of embolisms that would reduce water flow along the main stem.

Radial variation of tracheid features, specific gravity and growth rings in Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze planted in Cunha-SP.

We investigated wood features along growth rings of Araucaria angustifolia trees planted between November and December of 1980 in Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar in Cunha, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Our goal was to determine radial variation of the tracheid features and specific gravity. For these analyses, we employed the usual methodologies for determining the tracheid dimensions by maceration. Based on the relationship between weight/volume of samples and growth rings, specific gravity was determined after discs were polished. Following the Typical Radial Pattern - (TRP), we observed a significant increase in length, diameter and wall thickness of tracheids toward the bark. Positive relationships were observed between all tracheid features and specific gravity, showing that the increase in length and, especially, wall thickness contributed to the increase in specific gravity toward the bark.

Wood and leaf anatomy of Copaifera langsdorffii dwarf trees

There are various parameters that affect tree height and may cause dwarfism. Our goal was to study the anatomical variations in the leaf and xylem structure in dwarf and normal trees of Copaifera langsdorffii and their correlation with physico-chemical properties of the soils. Trees from two spatially close but different vegetation types, transitional forest and rupestrian field, showed markedly different wood and leaf characteristics. Adult trees of C. langsdorffii show normal height (up to 25 m) in transitional forests while in the rupestrian field they show dwarfism (small trees up to 2.5 m tall). Physical soil characteristics (such as rocky crust, low water availability due to shallow soil) presumably limit root growth and affect the rate of photosynthesis, which consequently affect the extension growth of the plant. Compared to normal trees, C. langsdorffii dwarf trees are characterized by narrow vessels and a higher proportion of vessels in multiples, features of the water transport system/hydraulic structure known to prevent embolism, wider rays with a greater potential to store starch, and higher stomatal density and potential conductance index.