Effect of seed provenances on anual increment, physicomechanical properties and anatomical features of 30 – year - old Balfourodendron riedelianum wood

Abstract

From increase of technology in forest products area, studies of native species are essential for development of industry and reforestation. As most of wood used for various applications comes from native forests, especially Amazon forest, exploitation without due legal measures puts at risk the wood conservation this Brazilian biome.In this context, studies are needed to characterize and study wood native quality indicating its most appropriate use. As an example we mention Balfourodendron riedelianum and the study of its anatomical, physical and mechanical properties with information about its age, seed provenance and planting data.The present study had as goals: a) determine the effect of seed provenances on tree volume, volume per hectare and mean annual increment of Balfourodendron riedelianum. b) determine variations in properties and anatomy in function of seed provenances and radial variation. c) characterize physical-mechanical properties to know wood strength and strength class. B. riedelianum seed lings were grown from the seeds planted in 1984 in the state of São Paulo, cities of Gália and Bauru, and in the state of Paraná, city of Alvorada do Sul. We felled 36 randomly selected trees, 12 from each seed provenance. A butt logwith1.3 m long was removed from the base of each tree, and a central plank was cut to obtain specimens for physical and mechanical properties and anatomical features. Three radial positions were established: the nearest part of trunk center, designated as pith, a middle position, and a position close to the bark, designated as bark.From standardized methodologies, the effect of seed provenance on tree volume, volume per hectare and average annual increment of Balfourodendron riedelianum were determined. Followed by determination of anatomical properties variations founded due seed provenances and radial variation. We also performed characterization of physical-mechanical properties by determination of wood strength and Strength class. We conclude that there were variations in wood volume and properties corroborating that trees were influenced by seed provenance. Alvorada do Sul wood presented higher strength and homogeneity compared to the other two provenances, whereas Gália and Bauru had the highest average annual increment.