Variability in the anatomy and density of Eucalyptus globulus wood: preliminary analysis of the effect of provenance, soil and age

Abstract

The aim of the work was to analyze the variability established by provenances, soil and harvest ages in the anatomy and density of Eucalyptus globulus Labil. commercially implanted in the southeast of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. We selected 23 trees from 3 provenances (Valdivia, Angol and Portuguesa), 4 soil categories (from very suitable to unsuitable) and 2 ranges of harvest ages (10-11 and 14-15 years). The trees of the Portuguese provenance recorded the highest values of height and diameter, while the soils and age had no influence. The quality of the wood produced in terms of fiber and vessel biometrics tends to be different according to these three factors, while the differences in the basic density of the wood were not important from the technological point of view in the age range of 14 -15 years. The Portuguese provenance presented the longest fibers (908 ± 230 μm) and the lowest wall thickness (2.05 ± 0.6 μm), the vessels were intermediate in number and diameter (11 ± 4 / mm2 and 81 ± 30 μm). The least suitable soil was the one that recorded the best combination of fiber and vessel values (greater fiber length and wall thickness, with fewer intermediate diameter vessels). The trees sampled at a older age produced wood with greater fiber length, wall thickness and vessel diameter. The growth of trees (height and diameter) did not correlate with the quality of wood produced. Taking density as an index of technological quality for different industries (sawing-paper), the wood produced can be considered a relatively homogeneous material (0.557 ± 0.05 g / cm³).