ABSTRACT
This work had as objectives the study of the growth in DBH, commercial volume (CV), current annual increment in percentage of the commercial volume (CAI) and the determination of the commercial form factor (f) for Ocotea pulchella Nees et Mart. ex Nees, in the Central Depression of the Rio Grande do Sul State. The growth data were tested with three mathematical equations, for the adjustment of diameter and commercial volume without bark. The quadratic equation resulted as a more efficient model, for the CV and DBH estimate, adjusted in function of the age of the trees. The Backman equation was selected for the CAI and for the f estimate. The values were determined in function of the DBH to facilitate practical application. The commercial form factor varied from 0,40 for a DBH of 5 cm to a maximum value of 0,85 for a DBH from 22 to 32 cm, decreasing up to 0,78 at 51 cm of DBH, between the ages of 10 and 100 years. The average annual increment in percentage of the commercial volume varied from 17,48% for 10 years to 1,33% for 100 years of age. The species presented a good growth potential, that associated with management practices can increase its productivity.
Key words:
dendrocronology; growth; Ocotea pulchella