Growth and form of eucalyptus trees in function of plant density

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of planting densities on the growth and shape of Eucalyptus urophylla trees, implanted in different planting densities in the central region of Mato Grosso do Sul. Therefore, a field in an experimental area of Embrapa Gado de Corte was displayed according to an experimental plan in competition wheel proposed by Nelder (1962), presenting 16 planting densities corresponding to: 1313, 1167, 1037, 922, 819, 728, 647, 576, 512, 455, 404, 359, 319, 284, 252 and 224 trees ha^-1. The variables measured in 68 months were: DBH, total height, insertion height and crown length, individual volume and by area, taper and form factor. The data was processed in a completely randomized design with planting densities considered as treatments. It was possible to observe through the results that the lower the planting density, the higher the values found for DBH, crown length, individual volume and taper. Also, there was an inverse relationship between planting density and height, canopy insertion and volume per area. In terms of height, the medium planting densities showed higher results than the densities of the extremities, being this parameter more influenced by the border of the planting. The form factor was not affected by the planting density. Based on the results achieved, the conclusion was that different planting densities directly affect growth and dendrometric variables.

Keywords:
Eucalyptus urophylla; Competition wheel; Dendrometric variables