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Changes in productivity and physicochemical characteristics of Eucalyptus grandis wood caused by sewage sludge application

Eucalyptus grandis is the most planted species in Brazil due to its productivity and quality of wood. The effect of growing rates of treated sewage sludge (0 to 40 Mg. ha-1 dry base) and one rate of mineral fertilizer on physicochemical attributes of Eucalyptus grandis wood were evaluated. The studied trees were five years old. The experimental area is located in the municipality of Itatinga, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The soil was characterized as a Dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (clay = 120 g kg-1 at 0-20 cm layer). The climate was characterized as a humid mesothermic (Cwa), according to Köeppen classification. The plots were established in a randomized complete block design, with 6 treatments and 4 replicates. The height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and solid wood volume was measured in all plots. Samples of 8 trees belonging to the most frequent DBH were collected. Five disks (4 cm thick) were removed from each tree at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the commercial height. The physicochemical characterizations were carried out according to the norms of the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Technical Associations. The sewage sludge reduced the basic density of wood. The contents of cellulose and lignin extracts and calorific power of wood were not changed. The decrease in wood density promoted by sewage sludge application was compensated by the increase in wood growth.

Eucalyptus; urban waste; organic fertilization; mineral nutrition; cellulose; calorific energy; quality of wood


Sociedade de Investigações Florestais Universidade Federal de Viçosa, CEP: 36570-900 - Viçosa - Minas Gerais - Brazil, Tel: (55 31) 3612-3959 - Viçosa - MG - Brazil
E-mail: rarvore@sif.org.br