Eucalyptus - Forest Productivity Cooperative
Transcription
Eucalyptus - Forest Productivity Cooperative
2014 Research Summaries Volume 2: Eucalyptus Forest Productivity Cooperative Members Full Members Agropical American Forest Management Arauco-Bioforest Boise Buckeye Technologies Claritas Copener Cotopaxi Deforsa Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Evans Properties F&W Forestry FCB Fibria FOMEX Forest Investment Associates Forestal Mininco Forestal Rio Biabo Greenwood Resources Hancock Forest Management IFOM International Paper Jordan Lumber Klabin Lykes Ranch Masisa MWV Milliken Forestry Molpus Timberlands Management Refocosta RMK Timberland Group Resource Management Service Smurfit Cartón de Colombia-Venezuela Superior Pine Products Suzano The Campbell Group Timberland Investment Resources Valor Florestal Westervelt Company Weyerhaeuser Sustaining Members Agrium Aprilasia North Carolina Forest Service USDA Forest Service Virginia Department of Forestry Corresponding Members AgXplore ArborGen Carolina Soil COMPO Agro Chile CONIF C3 Partners SAS Du Campo DuPont Crop Protection Florida Grown Forestry & Land Resource Consultants Gavilon GreenTechnologies Innovatech International Forest Company International Plant Nutrition Institute Koch Agronomic Services Mosaic Fertilizer Payne’s Flying Service Syngenta Thrash Aviation ii 2013 Research Summaries Dear FPC Members, The mission of the Forest Productivity Cooperative (FPC) is to create innovative solutions to enhance forest productivity and value through sustainable management of site resources. Our primary research focus is developing whole-rotation silvicultural regimes that are biologically sound, cost effective, and environmentally sustainable. Since its organization in 1969, the FPC has evolved into an international research and education program working with the major pine and eucalypt plantation species in the southern United States, throughout Latin America, including: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela, and Indonesia. The success of the FPC has been driven by our conceptual approach to research, interaction with the members, and undergraduate and graduate education. Collaborations with our members are crucial to our success, and all FPC meetings (2 Contact Meetings and 1 Annual Meeting per year) provide an open environment for exchange of ideas, experiences and sharing research results to improve operational, tactical and strategic decisions. In addition to these regular meetings, frequent local visits to members provide opportunities for technology transfer and practical use of research findings. The FPC research initiatives are driven by the strategic plan approved by the members in 2009 which established eleven major research topics: 1) nutrient availability, fertilizer uptake and efficiency; 2) decision support tools and models; 3) remote sensing and leaf area index; 4) weed control and fertilization; 5) fertilizer response; 6) eucalypt silviculture; 7) genetic x silviculture interactions; 8) response modeling and growth and yield modeling; 9) ecophysiology, process models and potential productivity; 10) thinning; and 11) water and environmental impacts. In 2013 the FPC created working groups based on species and geography and the research and technology transfer will be organized around four working groups: i. SE US Pine, ii. SE US Eucalyptus, iii. Latin America Pine, iv. Latin America Eucalyptus. To address these research interest areas, FPC has a large network of field research trials that includes 61 active experiments in the US and 45 in Latin America. This is one of the largest networks of forestry research installations in the world. They provide the FPC a unique ability to produce practical solutions to issues related to sustained productivity of intensively managed forests. We are also able to leverage the investment made in these studies with outside grants and partners that address key global questions related to ecophysiology of forest growth, remote sensing, biomass energy, carbon sequestration and global change. Among our collaborators are the IPEF Forestry Institute in Brazil and the CAFS, Pinemap, IBSS, SIFEB, Fondecyt, Conicyt projects. These are the 2013 FPC Research Summaries, which we update annually every October, during our Annual Meeting. The main purpose of this research summary is to provide an overview and summary of the key results and management implications from all of the regionwide studies, special studies and graduate student research projects currently underway within the FPC. We also include a list of the papers published in peer reviewed journals over the last four years (average of 20 papers per year), highlighting the productivity and quality of our research program. Members can access all of the research results from the FPC website (www.forestproductivitycoop.org). Given the new working group system, the FPC Research Summaries are published in two volumes: Vol 1 Pine and Vol 2 Eucalyptus. Finally, we would like to THANK all FPC members for their continued support. Sincerely yours, The Forest Productivity Cooperative Team iii iv Forest Productivity Cooperative 2013 Research Summaries Eucalyptus v Table of Contents Publications Eucalyptus and Hardwood Publications: 2010 - 2013 ........................................................................................ 2 Regionwide Trials Regionwide 13: Effects of N and P fertilization post-establishment on growth of Eucalyptus nitens plantations in the south-central Chile .............................................................................. 8 Regionwide 18: Rate and optimal frequency of fertilization at mid-rotation Eucalyptus grandis stands in Colombia ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Regionwide 21: Eucalyptus Twin-Plot network: the Deforsa Venezuela Trial................................................ 12 Regionwide 23: Duration and intensity of weed control of Eucalyptus grandis in Colombia ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 Regionwide 24: Eucalyptus Special Project - Identifying cold tolerant Eucalyptus species and their productivity in the SEUS ........................................................................................................ 16 Regionwide 25: Eucalyptus Nutrient Omission Study........................................................................................ 18 Regionwide 25: Eucalyptus Nutrient Omission Study in Northern Brazil ......................................................... 20 Regionwide 25: Nutrient omission at the establishment and early development of Eucalyptus grandis in Colombia. ............................................................................................................................................................... 22 Regionwide 25: Nutrient omission study on young Eucalyptus nitens plantations in the south-central Chile ......................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Graduate Student Research Effects of intensive silviculture on the productivity of Eucalyptus in Venezuelan Llanos and a probabilistic analysis of its profitability ........................................................................................ 28 Eucalyptus forest plantation effects on soil organic carbon across Eastern Brazil...................................... 30 Soil carbon dynamics following reforestation of tropical pastures in Brazil .................................................. 32 Effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. globulus, E. nitens and Acacia melanoxylon short-rotation forest crops (SRFC) for energy production in contrasting soils of the Bío-Bío Region, Chile ................................. 34 Using forest inventory as a tool of monitoring silvicultural quality in Eucalyptus clonal plantations .............................................................................................................................. 36 Growth, water use and water use efficiency of Eucalyptus clones under different spacings: from the tree to the watershed scales ...................................................................................................................... 38 Growth and yield model for Eucalyptus benthamii in the SE United States………………………………… 40 The radiation-temperature effect on cold tolerant Eucalyptus species ...................................................... 42 Effects of Intensive Silviculture in the Restoration Process of Northeastern Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil .................................................................................................................................... 44 Fertilizer response to Eucalyptus plantations and its correlation with the soil, climate and silviculture characteristics in different regions of São Paulo state ......................................................... 46 Zoning the productivity of Eucalyptus forest plantation in the northeastern of São Paulo state in Brazil .................................................................................................................................... 48 Characterization of seasonal stem growth, canopy development and light use efficiency in Eucalyptus clone………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 50 Leaf anatomy characterization of 16 Eucalyptus genotypes with different canopy ideotypes.............. 52 Physiological variables and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation in Eucalyptus clones under water stress.............................................................................................................................................................. 54 vi Effect of soil water availability on photosynthetically active radiation capture by Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus camaldulesis hybrids ............................................ 56 Effect of water availability and temperature on leaf deployment in genotypes of Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus camaldulensis hybrids ............................................................................... 58 Special Studies Tolerance of Eucalyptus Clones to Hydric and Thermal Stresses - TECHS ..................................................... 62 Eucahydro: tools for early assessment of Eucalyptus genotypes for water use efficiency, water consumption, efficient use of water and drought resistance ......................................................................................... 64 Special study: Potential Productivity of Eucalyptus maidenii and E. globulus in Uruguay ........................ 66 Integrated Biomass Supply Systems —Comparative water and nutrient use in Eucalyptus benthamii and Pinus taeda plantations ........................................................................................................................................ 68 Geodatabase System: maps for forestry and environmental applications ................................................. 70 Modeling monthly mean air temperature for Brazil.......................................................................................... 72 Stand-level patterns of carbon fluxes and partitioning in a Eucalyptus grandis plantation across a gradient of productivity, in São Paulo State, Brazil ....................................................... 74 Stem production, light absorption and light use efficiency between dominant and non-dominant trees of Eucalyptus grandis across a productivity gradient in Brazil.................................... 76 Nelder spacing trial to evaluate Acacia mangium development in Northeast Llanos Area of Venezuela .................................................................................................................. 78 vii Publications 2 Eucalyptus and Hardwoods Publications: 2010 - 2013 Since the 1970s, the faculty, staff and graduate students associated with the FPC have produced over 300 articles and reports related to forest productivity and soils. All of our articles, book chapters, theses and reports are available for download from our website. Below is a list of our publications since 2010. 2014 Alvares, CA, JL Stape, PC Sentelhas, JLM Goncalves, G Sparove. 2014. Koppen’s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorologische Zeitschrift. DOI: 10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507 Watt, M., R. Rubilar, M. Kimberley, D. Kriticos, V. Emhart, O. Mardones, M.Acevedo, M. Pincheira, J. Stape, T. Fox. 2014. Using seasonal measurements to inform ecophysiology; Extracting cardinal growth temperatures for process based growth models of five Eucalyptus species/crosses from simple field trials. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science. 44:9. http:// www.nzjforestryscience.com/content/44/1/9. Watt, M, Rafael Rubilar, Mark O Kimberley, Darren J Kriticos, Veronica Emhart, Oscar Mardones, Manuel Acevedo, Matias Pincheira, Jose L. Stape, Thomas Fox. Using seasonal measurements to inform ecophysiology: extracting cardinal growth temperatures for process-based growth models of five Eucalyptus species/crosses from simple field trials. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 44(9): 1-11. 2013 Alvares, C.A., J.L. Stape, P.C. Sentelhas, J.L.D.M. Goncalves. 2013. Modeling monthly mean air temperature for Brazil. Theor. Appl. Climatol. 113:407-427. Campoe, O.C., J.L.Stape, Y.Nouvellon, J.Laclau, W.L.Bauerle, D.Binkley, G.le Maire. 2013. Stem production, light absorption and light use efficiency between dominant and non-dominant trees of Eucalyptus grandis across a productivity gradient in Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 288: 1420 Cook, R., J.L.Stape, D.Binkley. In press. Soil carbon dynamics following reforestation of tropical pastures. Soil Science Society of America Journal Ferraz, S.F.B., M.Pereira, F.Paula, C.Vettorazzi, C.A. Alvares. 2013. Simulação de perdas de solo em função de cenários de adequação ambiental em microbacias agrícolas. Scientia Forestalis 98: 271282 Gonçalves, J.L.M., C.A. Alvares, A.R. Higa, L.D. Silva, A.C. Alfenas, J. Stahl, S.F.B. Ferraz, W.P. Lima, P.H.S. Brancalion, A. Hubner, J.P.D. Bouillet, J.P. Laclau, Y. Nouvellon, D. Epron. 2013. Integrating genetic and silvicultural strategies to minimize abiotic and biotic constraints in Brazilian eucalypt plantations. Forest Ecology and Management 301:6-27. Laclau, J.P., E.Silva, G.R.Lambais, M.Bernoux, G. le Maire, J.L.Stape, J.P. Bouillet, J.L.M.Goncalves, C.Jourdan, Y.Nouvellon. 2013. Dynamics of soil exploration by fine roots down to a depth of 10 m throught the entire rotation in Eucalyptus grandis plantation. Frontiers in Plant Science, Functional Plant Ecology / doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00243 3 Marsden, C., Y.Nouvellon, J.P.Laclau, M.Corbeels, R.E.McMurtrie, J.L.Stape, D.Epron, G.le Maire, 2013. Modifying the G'DAY process-based model to simulate the spatial variability of Eucalyptus plantation growth on deep tropical soils. Forest Ecology and Management 301: 112–128 Mora, F., R.A. Rubilar, V.I. Emhart, J. Saavedra. 2013. Prediccion Bayesiana de parametros geneticos en clone de Eucalyptus globulus bajo condiciones de suplemento hidrico. Ciencia Florestal, Santa Maria 23(2): 529-536. Navarrete-Campos, D., L.A. Bravo, R.A. Rubilar, V.I. Emhart, R. Sanhueza. 2013. Drought effects on water use efficiency, freezing tolerance and survival of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus globulus x nitens cuttings. New Forests 44:119-134. Otto, M.S.G., A.R.Vergani, A.N.Goncalves, A.Vrechi, S.R.Silva, J.L.Stape. 2013. Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and productivity of Eucalyptus clones under different soil and climatic conditions. Arvore 36: 431-439 Sabatia, C.A., T.R. Fox, and H. Burkhart. 2013. Extending a model system to predict biomass in mixedspecies southern Appalachian hardwood forests. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 37(2):122-126. DOI 10.5849/sjaf.12-005. Silva, P.H.M., A.C. Miranda, M.L.T. Moraes, E.L. Furtado, J.L. Stape, C.A. Alvares, P.C. Sentelhas, E.S. Mori, A.M. Sebbenn. 2013. Selecting for rust (Puccinia psidii) resistance in Eucalyptus grandis in São Paulo State, Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 303:91-97. Stanturf, J.A., E.D. Vance, T.R. Fox, M. Kirst. 2013. Eucalyptus beyond its native range: Environmental issues in exotic bioenergy plantation. Forestry. DOI: 10.1155/2013/46030. Zhou, J., C.Proisy, X.Descombes, G.le Maire, Y.Nouvellon, J.L.Stape, G.Viennois, J.Zerubia, P.Couteron. 2013. Mapping local density of young Eucalyptus plantations by individual tree detection in high spatial resolution satellite images. Forest Ecology and Management 301: 129-141 2012 Alvares, C. A., Gonçalves, J. L. M., Vieira, S.R., Silva, C. R., Franciscatte, W. 2012. Spatial variability of physical and chemical attributes of some forest soils in southeastern of Brazil. Scientia Agrícola (USP. Impresso), v. 68, p. 697-705, 2011. Brondani, G.E., F.J.B.Baccarin, H.W.W.Ondas, J.L.Stape, A.N.Goncalves, M.Almeida. 2012. Low temperature, IBA concentrations and optimal time for adventitious rooting of Eucalyptus benthamii mini-cuttings. Journal of Forestry Research 23: 583-592 Campoe, O.C., Stape, J.L., Laclau, J.-P., Marsden, C., Nouvellon, Y., 2012. Stand-level patterns of carbon fluxes and partitioning in a Eucalyptus grandis plantation across a gradient of productivity, in São Paulo state, Brazil. Tree Physiology 32, 696–706. Cook, R.L. 2012. Long-term Effects of Forest Plantations on Soil Carbon in Brazil. Ph.D. Thesis. Dept. of Forestry, NCSU, Raleigh, NC. 124 pp. Fox, T.R. and J. Creighton. 2012. Silvics of Oak. In A Practical Guide to Managing Oak Forests in the Eastern United States. University of Tennessee Press. Gazell, A.C.F., C.A.Righi, J.L. Stape, O.C.Campoe. 2012. Tree species richness, does it play a key role on a forest restoration plantation? Bosque 33: 3-4 Gonçalves, j. l. m., Alvares, C. A., Gonçalves, T.D., Moreira, R.M., Mendes, J.C.T., Gava, J.L. 2012. Mapeamento de solos e da produtividade de plantações de Eucalyptus grandis em Itatinga, SP, com uso de sistema de informação geográfica. Scientia Forestalis (IPEF), v. 94, p. 187-201, 2012. 4 Kiser, L.C. and T.R. Fox. In Press. Short Rotation Woody Crop Biomass Production for Energy. Chapter 6. In B. Singh (Ed.). Biofuel Crop Sustainability. John Wiley and Sons. Kiser, L.C. and T.R. Fox. 2012. Soil accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus following annual fertilization of loblolly pine and sweetgum on sandy sites. Soil Science Society of America Journal 76:2278-2288. Navarrete-Campos, L. A. Bravo, R.A. Rubilar, V. Emhart, R. Sanhueza. 2012. Drought effects on water use efficiency, freezing tolerance and survival of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus globulusXnitens cuttings. New Forests DOI 10.1007/s11056-012-9305-0. Peduzzi, A., R.H. Wynne, V.A. Thomas, R.F. Nelson, J.J. Reis and M. Sanford. 2012. Combined Use of Airborne Lidar and DBInSAR Data to Esitmate LAI in Temperate Mixed Forests. Remote Sensing 4: 1758 -1780. Sabatia, C.A., T.R. Fox and H. Burkhart. 2012. Extending a model system to predict biomass in mixedspecies southern Appalachian hardwood forests. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. Silva, A. M., Alvares, C. A., Watanabe, C. H. 2012. Natural Potential for Erosion for Brazilian Territory. In: GODONE, D; STANCHI, S. (Org.). Soil Erosion Studies. Soil Erosion Studies. Rijeka: InTech - Open Access Publisher, 2011, v. , p. 1-22. Stape, J. L., Souza, V. C., Torrado, P. V., Rodriguez, L. C. E. 2012. Estimativas das taxas de sequestro de carbono na Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural SESC Pantanal. Conhecendo o Pantanal 8. 1. ed. Rio de Janeiro: SESC Serviço Social do Comércio, 2011. v. 1. 144p Vickers, L.A. ,T.R. Fox, D. L. Loftis, and D. A. Boucugnani. 2012. Predicting Forest Regeneration in the Central Appalachians Using the REGEN Expert System. Journal of Sustainable Forestry.30(8):790-822. 2011 Alvarez, J. H. Mitasova and H.L. Allen. 2011. Estimating Solar Radiation in South-Central Chile. Chilean J. Agric. Res. Vol. 71(4): 601-609. Atwood, C.J., T.R. Fox, and D. L. Loftis. 2011. Effects of Alternative Silvicultural Treatments on Regeneration in the Southern Appalachians. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 30:419-440. Fox, T.R., B.W. Miller, R.R. Rubilar, J.L. Stape, T.J. Albaugh. 2011. Phosphorus nutrition of forest plantations: the role of inorganic and organic P. Chapter 13 In: Buneman, E., A. Oberson, and E. Frossard (eds). Phosphorus in action, Soil Biology 26. Springer-Verlag. Harrison, R.H, D. Richter, and T. R. Fox. 2011. Deep soils. For. Sci. 57:1-2. Le Maire G, Marsden C, Verhoef W, Ponzoni F, Seen D, Stape JL, Nouvellon Y. 2011. Leaf area index estimation with MODIS reflectance time series and model Inversion during full rotations of Eucalyptus plantations. Remote Sensing of Environment 115: 586-599. Le Maire G, Marsden C, Nouvellon Y, Grinand C, Hakamada R, Stape JL, J.P.Laclau. 2011. MODIS NDVI time-series allow the monitoring of Eucalyptus plantation biomass. Remote Sensing of Environment 115: 2613-2625 Miller, B.W. and T.R. Fox. 2011. Long-term fertilizer Effects on oxalate desorbable phosphorus pools in a typic paleaquult. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 75 (2). Silva E, Bouillet JP, Goncalves JL, Abreu C, Trivelin P, Nouvellon Y, Stape JL, Laclau JP. 2011. Functional specialization of Eucalyptus fine roots: contrasted potential uptake rates for nitrogen, potassium and calcium tracers at varying soil depth. Functional Ecology (doi: 10.1111/j.1365- 2435.2011.01867.x). Sucre, E.B. J.W. Tuttle, and T.R. Fox. 2011. The use of ground-penetrating radar as a tool to accurately estimate soil depth in rocky forest soils of the southern Appalachians. Forest Science. 57:59-66. 5 2010 Binkley, D., J.L. Stape, W.L. Bauerle, M.G. Ryan. 2010. Explaining growth of individual trees: Light interception and efficiency of light use by Eucalyptus at four sites in Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 259(9): 1704-1713. Binkley D, Laclau JP, Stape JL, Ryan MG. 2010. Applying ecological insights to increase productivity in tropical plantations. Forest Ecology and Management. 259: 1682-1683. Campoe, O.C., J.L. Stape, J.C.T. Mendes. 2010. Can intensive management accelerate the restoration of Brazil’s Atlantic forest? Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1808-1814. Cubbage, F., P. MacDonagh, G. Balmelli, R. Rubilar, R. de la Torre, V. Hoeflich, M. Murara, H. Kotze, R. Gonzalez, O. Carrero, G. Frey, S. Koesbandana, V.M. Olmos, J. Turner, R. Lord, J. Huang, R. Abt. 2010. Global forest plantation investment returns. XIII World Forestry Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1823 October 2009. Doi, B., D. Binkley, J.L. Stape. 2010. Does reverse growth dominance develop in old plantations of Eucalyptus saligna? Forest Ecology and Management 259(9): 1815-1818. Fox, T.R., B.W. Miller, R.R. Rubilar, J.L. Stape, T.J.Albaugh. 2010. Phosphorus nutrition of forest plantations: the role of inorganic and organic P. Chapter 13 In: Buneman, E., A. Oberson, and E. Frossard (eds). Phosphorus in action – biological processes in soil phosphorus cycling. Springer Homyack, J.A., E.B. Sucre, C.A. Haas, and T.R. Fox. 2010. Does Plenthodon cinereus affect leaf litter decomposition and invertegrate abundances in mixed oak forests? Journal of Herpetology.44:447456. Hubbard, R.M., J.L. Stape, M.G. Ryan, A.C. Almeida, J. Rojas. 2010. Effects of irrigation on water use and water use efficiency in two fast growing Eucalyptus plantations. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1714-1721. Marsden C, G. Maire, J.L. Stape, D. Seen, O. Roupsard, Y. Nouvellon. 2010. Relating MODIS vegetation index time-series with structure, light absorption and stem production of fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 259(9): 1741-1753. Maurice, J., J.P. Laclau, D.S. Re, J.L. de Moraes Gonçalves, Y. Nouvellon, J.P. Bouillet, J.L. Stape, J. Ranger, M. Behling, J.L. Chopart. 2010. Fine root isotrophy in Eucalytpus grandis plantations.Towards the prediction of root length densities from root counts on trench walls. Plant Soil. DOI 10.1007/s11104 -010-0380-8. Ryan, M.G., J.L. Stape, D. Binkley, S. Fonseca, R.A. Loos, E.N. Takahashi, C.R. Silva, S.R. Silva, R.E. Hakamada, J.M. Ferreira, A.M.N. Lima, J.L. Gava, F.P. Leite, H.B. Andrade, J.M. Alves, G.G.C. Silva. 2010. Factors controlling Eucalyptus productivity: How water availability and stand structure alter production and carbon allocation. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1695-1703. Stape, J.L., Binkley, D. 2010. Insights from full-rotation Nelder spacing trials with Eucalyptus in São Paulo, Brazil. Southern Forests 2010, 72(2): 90–97. Stape, J.L., D. Binkley, M.G. Ryan, S. Fonseca, R.A. Loos, E.N. Takahashi, C.R. Silva, S.R. Silva, R.E. Hakamada, J.M.A. Ferreira, A.M.N. Lima, J.L. Gava, F.P. Leite, H.B. Andrade, J.M. Alves, G.G.C. Silva, M.R. Azevedo. 2010. The Brazil Eucalyptus Potential Productivity Project: Influence of water, nutrients and stand uniformity on wood production. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1684-1694. 6 7 Regionwide Trials 8 Regionwide 13: Effects of N and P fertilization post-establishment on growth of Eucalyptus nitens plantations in the south-central Chile Objectives. To determine the effect mid-rotation N and P fertilization of Eucalyptus nitens. To evaluate leaf area, growth efficiency and foliar nutrient level responses to N+P fertilization. To determine the operational dose to optimize tree growth response at each site. Methods Study area three sites were established for Eucalyptus nitens RW13 trials in the VIII region of Chile, with temperatures averaging between 13 and 17 degrees Celsius, rainfall between 1000-1400 mm per year and soils derived from three geological formations, recent volcanic ash, ancient volcanic ash (red clay) and sediment marines (Table 1). Trial desing The experimental design considered randomized complete blocks with three replicates. Treatments considered the effect of a factorial combination of N and P fertilization on E. nitens early growth considering nine treatments where a base application of 50 Kgha -1 de K , 30 Kgha-1 de Mg , 3 Kgha-1 de Zn, 2 Kgha-1 de Cu, 4 Kgha-1 de B, 400Kgha-1 Ca was applied to the control and other treatments (Table 2). Height, diameter and leaf area measurements for 135411 and 135412 trials were obtained since treatments application in 2011. For 134905 treatments started in 2012. Trials 135411 and 135412 were established on plantations established in 2010 (2 year old) and 134905 trial was established on a plantation 2007 (5 years old). Las Site Millongue Bandurrias Las Maicas Code City Latitude 135411 San Carlos 36ª26’22.88” 135412 Lebu 37ª33’14.08” 134905 Mulchen 37o49’69.02” Longitude 71ª41’07.38” 73ª37’08.95” 72º17’96.03” MAT (ªC) Rainfall (mm.year-1) Soil 14 13 17 1034 1302 1380 Recent volcanic ash Sedimentary marine ter- Red clays Table 1. Characteristics of the sites. T001 T011 T021 0*N + 0P 0N + 30P 0N + 60P T101 T111 T121 150N + 0P 150N + 30P 150N + 60P T201 T211 T221 300N + 0P 300N + 30P 300N + 60P Table 2. Evaluated Regionwide 13 treatments considering elements combinations in Kg ha-1 Results After three years since the treatments were imposed, sites Las Bandurrias and Milongue did not present significant differences among the fertilization treatments. Three year since treatment application, the productivity for Las Bandurrias and Millongue sites ranged from 5362 and 14-18 m3/ha, respectively (Figure 1). Similarly, the site Las Maicas did not show significant differences among the treatments 2 year since tratment application, with a productivity ranging from 150-178 m3/ha. 9 Despite of the differences among the treatments, these did not differ significantly from the control. However, it seems evident that these differences are increasing over time in all the sites. LAI was measured 2 year since treatment application in the sites Las Bandurrias and Millongue. In las Maicas site it was measured 1 year after treatment were imposed. Significant differences in leaf área index were observed at all sites. For Las Bandurrias and Las Maicas sites, LAI reached values close to 7 units. The Millonge site averaged a LAI value of 4.0. At the Las Bandurrias site the best treatments (containing 300 Kgha-1 N) had 1 additional unit of LAI relative to the control treatment. Similar results were observed for the Millongue site, with the best dose for 150 kgha-1 of N and 60 kgha-1of P with 4.7 units. Figure 2. Cumulative volume per unit of leaf area index. Blue lline: Las Bandurrias, Red line: Millongue & Green line: Las Maicas. For las Maicas site the differences among tretament were not more than 0.5. Figure 2 shows the relationship between the cumulative volumen and LAI measured in 2013, which is a surrogate measure of growth efficiency. It can be seen that growth efficiency differed between sites. Las Bandurrias site presented the lowest growth efficiency, whereas in the other sites the growth efficiency was similar. These results suggest that the highest growth was achieved at treatments that showed high LAI responses. Future Direccion Trials will be evaluated with anual or bianual measurements at least for six years based on lon-term responses to fertilization observed previously for RW13 trials. Soil and environmental variables will be analized to explain leaf area index responses across sites. Figure 1. Cumulative volume per treatment for the sites Las Bandurrias (upper panel), Millongue (middle panel) and Las Maicas (lower panel). 10 Regionwide 18: Rate and optimal frequency of fertilization at mid-rotation Eucalyptus grandis stands in Colombia Trial series objectives Treatments and experimental design The RW 18 was designed to investigate the effects of rate and frequency of N fertilization application in E. grandis until rotation age. The major questions under investigation were: 1) Is there any response to mid-rotation nutrient additions on these high fertility sites? , 2) What level of cumulative nutrient additions may be required to obtain a response?, 3)Does frequency and rate matters to maximize tree growth response?, and 4) Is there any cummulative effect of nutrient additions on nutrient use efficiency? Considering these questions the main objectives of these trial series were to: 1) determine the growth response to increasing amounts of N availability in midrotation stands, and 2) To determine how maximum growth response may be obtained by rate and frequency of application. The array of treatments for RW18 studies considered two independent variables: annual dose of applied fertilizer applied and frequency of fertilization (Table 2). Studies were established with four replicates. A total of 7 studies were initially installed, but a wildfire destroyed one of the studies during its second year of development and preliminary results are not considered in this report. Of the 6 studies successfully established 3 of them are located in the area of Cauca, 1 in the area of Valle del Cauca and 1 in the area of Pereira Quindio considering a range in soil.site conditions (Table 1). Table 1 . Climate, geology and soil characteristics of RW18 trials established in Colombia. Fertilization Response Two sites (184604 and 184601) of the six sites Table 2. Treatments applied at each trial and accumulated N in kg ha-1 over time. established showed extraordinary growth responses in diameter, height and cummulative volume compared even to experiments with added nutrient and water resources (Birk and Turner, 1992). Both sites, having one of the largest responses observed at FPC trials, were located at Pubenza soils series. This soil series is widely distributed in the area with more than 50% of the soils. These soils are considered of medium quality and productive potential due their past intensive agricultural land use despite presenting high organic matter levels and total nitrogen. Individual tree growth for the control treatment had an average of 17 m height and 12.4 cm DBH for the 4601 site, while for the best treatment (480 kg N ha-1), for 4604 site, reached 22.6 m in height and 16.1 cm in DBH (p < 0.05). At 4601 site cumulative volume after 42 months reached 325 11 m3 ha-1 for the best treatment (960 kg N ha-1) compared to 172 m3 ha-1 for the control treatment (p < 0.05). For the 4604 site cumulative volume for the best treatment (900 kg N ha-1) was 604 m3 ha-1 after 78 months (Figure 1). Figure 1. Cumulative volume growth for RW18 trials that showed response to fertilization. Figure 2. Leaf area response at 184601. Optimum response ranged 180-240 Kg N ha-1 every two years (Fig 3). Cumulative doses maximized response at 800-1000 Kg N ha-1 (Fig 4). Figure 3. Duration of response for dose and frequency of application at responsive RW18 trials. Responses to mid-rotation nutrient additions may double productivity of E.grandis plantations. The observed growth rate after fertilization at both sites is exceptionally high compared to sites in Brazil and other previous references elsewhere. Figure 4. Cumulative N dose and cumulative volume response at RW18 trials. Figure 5. Stand growth response at 184601. Cumulative volume growth response observed at sites with response to fertilization, showed a type A response post treatment application. High C/N ratios and low N and P foliar levels seem to be related to site specific responses. Nutrient availability mechanisms and plant uptake in these ecosystems are not well understood. Future direction Nutrient accumulation on aboveground and belowground biomass analyses will be studied before harvesting of 184601 site to understand second rotation carryover of improved nutrition and nutrient removals of these fast growing E. grandis stands. 12 Regionwide 21: Eucalyptus Twin-Plot network: the Deforsa Venezuela Trial Introduction Objectives The Twin Plot approach is a paired design used to capture resource limitations at the landscape level (Stape et al. 2004). Twin plots have the advantage of producing knowledge on spatial distribution of resource limitations (Ferreira and Stape 2009) and may provide a basis for parameterization of process based model (Landsberg, 2011). To determine the Eucalyptus potential productivity in San Carlos, Venezuela. Understanding what limits productivity across a landscape can help develop site-specific silvicultural prescriptions. Resource limitations can be directly verified by the change in forest current annual increment (CAI) when confronting CAI of inventory and the twin-plot. Change in Leaf area index (LAI) (Figure 1) can be used as a quick surrogate for site resource limitation due to its direct effect on light capturing and use, which precedes the final stemwood increment results. Methodology To understand the main factors that constrains Eucalyptus forest growth across this landscape. To develop tools to identify managementresponsive Eucalyptus sites. A total of 76 pairs of twin-plots were established on Deforsa land (Venezuela) in 2009 (Figures 1, 2). The company has established clonal forest plantations mainly with E. urophylla and E. grandis x urophylla. Deforsa’s inventory network consists of 1 permanent plot per 5 ha of plantation, being installed when the forests reaches 2 years-old. Permanent inventory plots have approximately 60 trees (4 rows X 15 trees/ row). From the existing plots, 8% were selected to represent Deforsa landscape. The RW21 Eucalyptus Twin-Plot trial are currently being used or installed in Deforsa (Venezuela) and Smurfit Cartón de Colombia. This report presents the initial results at the Deforsa site in San Carlos, Venezuela (Figure 1). Figure 2. Twin Plot: fertilized, no weeds Figure 1. Pair of Inventory-Twin Plots at Deforsa 13 For every selected inventory plot, a twin-plot location was carefully chosen in the vicinity, based on the visual assessment of mortality, diameter, height, competing vegetation, soil and topography situation. Twin plots were established in a way to assure that no run-off would move from the twin-plot to the inventoryplot carrying applied fertilizers. In some sites (25% of total) where weeds were abundant, a third plot was established (called, the triplet-plot) which received only weed control in order to isolate the effect of weed competition in the management response. A total of twenty triplet plots where established. For the selected group of plots with high competing vegetation problems, no statistical difference was found between Weed Control and Fertilization + Weed Control treatments. However both were more productive than the control plot (Figure 4). These results highlight the important of weed control in this tropical environment, which can lead to an increase in productivity of more than 20% in a very short time. Results Overall, there was a quick and significant (paired t test p<0.0001) increase in productivity of Deforsa’s forests in the Twin-Plots due to the combined weed control and fertilization effects (Fig 3). Significant statistical differences were found for DBH, total height, and biomass increment . At some specific sites the Management Response (Twin-Plot growth minus Contorl growth) reached up to 10 Mg ha-1 yr-1, which represents an important increase over the productivity (Figure 3). Preliminary Conclusions The Twin-Plot design, with combined effect of weed control and fertilization, has proven to be a simple and efficient design to capture operational constraints to Eucalyptus productivity in tropical conditions. The triplet-design, isolating weed control and fertilization effects, also shown to be effective to point the relative importance of each management. The study, which is also evaluating Leaf Area Index and Light Use Efficiency, intends to identify the adequate tool to identify between responsive and non-responsive sites for a operational point of view. Acknowledgements Currently the same management practice is applied to all the stands, however it is clear that in some stands responses are almost zero, and in others are very high, which shows the possibility to site-specific optimization. For that purpose, a tool which allows classifying the sites as responsive or non-responsive to intensive treatment need to be established. Support for this work was provided by Deforsa Company, the Forest Productivity Cooperative and the Zobel Grant. We also thanks Deforsa’s personnel and the Universidad de Los Andes (Mérida, Venezuela). 14 Regionwide 23: Duration and intensity of weed control of Eucalyptus grandis in Colombia. Trial series objectives Table 1. Characterization establishment sites . 1. To determine the optimal duration and intensity of weed control to maximize survival and tree growth of E. grandis. Farm Cedral Suiza Primavera RW23 234601 234603 234602 2. To assess biomass and nutrient uptake of competing vegetation over time and its effect on resource availability for the target crop. Area North Central South Provinces PereiraRosa Restrepo Meseta Latitude 4° 42' 57'' N 3°50'45'' N 2° 37' 16'' N Longitud 75° 38' 15'' W 76°29'49'' W 76° 39' 01'' W Elevation (m.s.n.m) 1890 1553 1746 Precip. 2673 1256 2616 Previous use E.grandis E. grandis E.grandis Plantation May 2010 May 2010 June 2010 3.- To model the biological and economical response of E. grandis to duration and intensity of weed control. S. Sites characteristics Three studies were established in Colombia by Smurfit Kappa Carton de Colombia (RW234601, RW234602 and RW234603). Table 1 shows some characteristic of the sites. Studies were established on well drained clay loams and a moderately well drained loamy soil. The clay loam sites has nearly twice the precipitation (2.600mm) than the loamy site (1.250mm). All soils derived from volcanic p. materials. Treatments and experimental design The experimental design considered a complete randomized block design with 8 to 12 replicates depending on site and vegetation variability. Treatments applied considered a factorial combination of four levels of weed control intensities (no weed control, 33% , 66% and 100% of weed control in bands centered in the planting line) and eight levels of weed control duration (30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 360, 540 and 720 days free of competing vegetation) (Figure 1). All sites had a broadcast preplanting chemical weed control with Glifosate (3,0L/ha) and Flufenacet (0,45 L/ha) before the application of weed control duration and intensity treatments. These trials will be carried until 4 years or shorter based on canopy closure responses. Figure 1. Generic block layout of intensity and duration of weed control treatments. 15 Weed control intensity and duration The effect of weeds on the nutrient availability may be very detrimental for tree growth. For instance, two years after establishment, the uptake of N varied among the sites from 70 to 330 kg/ha (Figure 2). After 3 years weed control intensity treatments effects were clearly observed on tree growth and showed similar responses for both 66% and 100% weed control intensities at RW234601 and RW234603. These results suggested that complete weed control may not be required to obtain maximum benefits at these sites. In terms of weed control intensity and duration, the best response was observed for 66% or 100% intensity and a period larger than 90 days of duration allowed to obtain a 40-50 m3ha-1 gain after 3 years of stand development (Figure 3). Therefore, in sites as 234601 and 234603, the first 90 days of weed control are critical to obtain the maximum potential growth response to weed control for these sites. Contrastingly at RW234602 a larger gain was observed when an intensity of 100% weed control independently of the duration (Figure 3). At this site, the gains of weed control reached 80 m3ha-1. Critical results of these trials in all studied sites suggest that 90 initial days of free weed control in the line of planting (66% or 100% intensity) are key to obtain good stand development and should be key directions for weed control operations. Advantages of 100% weed control may be obtained in terms of free stand mobility but may challenge biodiversity or soil-site sustainability. The amount of weed at these sites Figure 3. Mean volume response to the weed intensity (100% area) and duration for the sites 234601 (upper panel), 234602 (middle panel) and 234603 (lower panel) after 3 years. were variable, although all the sites had 100% weed cover a years after establishment. Future direction Trials will be carried until rotation age but future measurements and analyses every 5 years. Additional soils and nutritional evaluations are under way. Figure 2. Nitrogen use by weed in the control treatment over time. 16 Regionwide 24: Eucalyptus Special Project - Identifying cold tolerant Eucalyptus species and their productivity in the SEUS Background Eucalyptus species can have very rapid growth in other parts of the world. Recent opportunities in using tree biomass as a replacement for fossil fuels has generated interest in growing Eucalyptus in the United States. Previous attempts to introduce these species in the 1980s failed largely due to cold temperatures of the 1983 and 1985 winters. Also, additional entries that may be more tolerant to cold are now available from sources around the world. This new genetic material as well as access to expertise in growing the species stimulated interest in this work. Fifteen members of the Forest Productivity Cooperative are currently supporting the project (AFM, ArborGen, Boise, Buckeye, Copener, Deforsa, Fibria, Florida Grown, IFCO, International Paper. Lykes, MWV, Rayonier, Suzano and Weyerhaueser). Study Objectives: 1. To identify cold-hardy Eucalyptus species that can survive and thrive in the SEUS. 2. To quantify the productivity of these species under different silvicultural treatments. Figure 2. E.macarthurii, E.benthamii and E.viminalis in Raleigh NC (35ª N) after the 2011, 2012 and 2013 winters. 3. T o investigate the environmental factors related with Eucalyptus cold-risk and yield zoning; and 4. To provide information for tree breeding strategies and hybridization. Experimental design One hundred and fifty Eucalyptus species from 333 entries were planted in 28 sites across the SE US (Fig.1) in a biomass or screening design. In the Biomass design a total of 16, 32 or 64 trees were planted per plot and the design replicates Figure1 . Locations of the twenty five RW24 trials installed in 2010, 2011 and 2012 17 are the sites. In the screening one the plot has 3 plants and many entries. Current status Seven trials were planted in 2010, twelve in 2011, six in 2012 and three in 2013. The sites were planted between May and September of each year. Hourly temperature at each site were recorded from November to March with a HOBO datalogger. The 2011, 2012 and 2013 winters can be considered cooler, warmer and normal, based on historical averages (Fig.3). So, they have been ideal to allow an adequate species screening. Indeed, for the RW24, a total of 6 winters will take place prior to the complete results of the special project. Assessments of height and survival for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 trials were completed in May of 2013 after the frost free dates in all sites. Figure 4. Poor growth of E.benthamii (left) when E.camaldulensis in Palmdale, Florida. Compare with Fig. 2 Results Entries from seven countries were planted and survival and growth were very good at all sites prior to the winter due to careful site prep, fertilization and weed control. A Canopy Damage Assessment was developed for visual evaluation of the frost damage. All 2010, 2011 and 2012 sites experienced subfreezing temperatures (Fig.3) and, as expected, the coldest site was in NC and the one with the mildest temperatures was in South of Florida. compared with result is the G X E interaction as shown, for instance, in Figs. 2 and 4 where E.benthamii is adapted to Raleigh NC, but not in Palmdale FL, and vice-versa with E.camaldulensis, which died out in Raleigh. Overall, for all sites, five Eucalyptus species came up as potential genetic materials for cold-hardy tolerance and fast-grow: E.benthamii, E.dorrigoensis, E.viminalis, E.dalrympleana and E. macarthurii. However other species have site-specific performances. The weekly evaluation of the E.benthamii growth in Raleigh using band dendrometers (Fig.5) confirmed that Eucalyptus has no dormant period and its photosynthesis is controlled by the Figure 3. Minimum daily temperature from April 1st 2010 to March 30th 2013 at Summerville, SC. However, the daily variation in temperature was more intense in the flatwoods regions of FL, GA. In general, across sites the number of species that survived the winter decreased with the increasing events of subfreezing temperatures, except for the flatwoods region where the lack of cold-hardy acclimatization affected even cold-hardy species like E.benthamii. Another Figure 5. Relation between E.benthamii growth and minimum temperature in Raleigh NC in a weekly-basis. temperature during the winter time. Acknowledgements IPEF (Brazil), FCBA (France), Deforsa (Guatemala), Mininco (Chile), University of Florida (US), CSIRO (Australia) for donating/ selling the seeds. Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Leidig 18 Regionwide 25: Eucalyptus Nutrient Omission Study Justification Table 1. Nutrient Omission trial treatments Fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations demands adequate levels of soluble nutrients in the soil solution to be uptake in order to build a large and healthy canopy. The faster the canopy is built, the earlier the canopy closure is reached, which facilitates the competing vegetation control and increases the likelihood of a higher Mean Annual Increment at the end of the short-rotation. Traditional areas of Eucalyptus plantations, like Latina America and Brazil, already have a calibrated fertilization recommendation protocols based on soil analysis and Eucalyptus species expected productivity. However, when new Eucalyptus species are planted in new sites, with specific soil physical and chemical attributes, these protocols must be verified. Some Forest Productivity Cooperative members are trying or expanding their Eucalyptus plantations with new species in new sites which requires a better understanding regarding soil nutrient availability versus plant nutrient demand in regions like the SE US, central Brazil and Chile. infer about the soil natural nutrient availability, a Complete treatment with the application of all nutrients to assure plenty availability of them for adequate tree growth, and a series of treatments where each nutrient is removed from the complete balance to characterize its unique importance in growth (Table 1). Installations The Nutrient Omission Design was already The Nutrient Omission design is therefore proposed by FPC as an easy and quick way to capture four main information at the speciessite level: i) Is there a nutrient limitation for fast canopy closure?; ii) If so, which nutrients are limiting the full species development ?; iii) Among these nutrients, what is the ranking in importance when considering their supply via fertilization?; and iv) Can soil analysis be used for fertilizer recommendation? Nutrient Omission Design The Nutrient Omission design has a very simple rational. It has a Control treatment to Figure 1. E.benthamii in Allendale, SC, at 1 year-old. Control (left), All Nutrients (right) 19 installed in three sites of the SE US (2 in FL and 1 in SC) and one site in central Brazil (Tocantins State), in five different FPC members. The species being studies are E.benthamii, E.grandis and E.grandis x urophylla clones. Results In all sites, the fertilization effect was very clear (Fig. 1), pointing to the need of an adequate forest nutrition for Eucalyptus fully express its growth potential in soils with very low fertility. Fig.1 and Fig.2 shows the fertilization effect on the US Coastal Plains. For these very sandy and poor sites the most limiting nutrients are P, N and K (Fig.2) which need to be incorporate during the initial fertilization of the forest to guarantee fast canopy closure and high growth rates. In all trials the weed control was imposed. Figure 3. Eucalyptus grandis stem volume at 1 yr-old in Palmdale, FL according to the omission treatment (Table 1). Columns with the same letter do not differ at P=0.05. Another very important result from these two trials in the US was the trend to increase coldhardness due to a better nutrition (Fig.3). This effect is speculated to be related with the K effect. Similar to the US results, the omission study in Brazil also was very effective to picture the crucial impact of the nutrients for Eucalyptus clones development, including both macro– and micronutrients. Notice that 1 year development in Brazil matches the 2 years development in the US (Fig.2 and Fig.4). Next Steps Figure 2. Eucalyptus grandis volume at 2 years-old at Palmdale, FL according to the omission treatment (Table 1). Columns with the same letter do not differ at P=0.05. Figure 4. Eucalyptus clones volume at 1 yr-old at Tocantins, Brazil, according to the omission treatment (Table 1). The Nutrient Omission Design took soil samples from the sites to evaluate the potential use of soil analysis for fertilization recommendation. In addition, at 1 and 2 years-old, leaf samples (Figure 5) will be analyzed to verify the possibility to establish critical nutrient levels for the different Eucalyptus species at each site. Figure 5. Leaf sampling protocol for Eucalyptus. 20 Regionwide 25: Eucalyptus Nutrient Omission Study in Northern Brazil JL Stape, Clayton Alvares, Rafaela Carneiro, Thomas Fox, Rafael Rubilar Justification Fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations demands adequate levels of soluble nutrients in the soil solution to be uptake in order to build a large and healthy canopy. The faster the canopy is built, the earlier the canopy closure is reached, which facilitates the competing vegetation control and increases the likelihood of a higher Mean Annual Increment at the end of a short-rotation. growth (Table 1). Installations The Nutrient Omission Design was installed Table 1. Nutrient Omission trial treatments Traditional regions of Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil, like São Paulo and Minas Gerais states, already have a calibrated fertilization recommendation protocols based on soil analysis and Eucalyptus species expected productivity. However, when new Eucalyptus clones are planted in new sites, with specific soil physical and chemical attributes, these protocols need to be verified. Many companies are expanding their Eucalyptus plantations with new species/clones in new sites which requires a better understanding regarding soil nutrient availability versus plant nutrient demand in regions like Tocantins State in Northern Brazil. The Nutrient Omission design was therefore proposed by FPC as an easy and quick way to capture four main information at the species-site level: i) Is there a nutrient limitation for quick canopy closure?; ii) If so, which nutrients are limiting the full species development ?; iii) Among these nutrients, what is the ranking in importance when considering their supply via fertilization?; and iv) Can soil or tissue analysis be used for fertilizer recommendation? Nutrient Omission Design The Nutrient Omission design has a very simple rational. It has a Control treatment to infer about the soil natural nutrient availability, a Complete treatment with the application of all nutrients for adequate tree growth, and treatments where each nutrient is removed from the complete balance to characterize its importance in Figure 1. E. urograndis in Tocantins-Brazil, at 2.5 year-old. Left complete treatment (A) and right control treatment (C) (January 2011) in a Yellow Oxisol in Brejinho de Nazaré, Tocantins State (Brazil), on site of Valor Florestal Company. The genotypes being studies are four hybrid clones of Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla. Measurements Growth is evaluated every six months via DBH and height measurements, and LAI estimation. At 3-years old an aboveground biomass assessment was performed in the control and 21 complete treatments. Leaf Area Index were estimated for all plots via the use of the Decagon ceptometer. Results Higher LAI are associated with greater productivity of the forest. Figure 3 highlights the relationship between LAI and volume. The control treatment has a lower LAI, and the complete a higher LAI. Eucalyptus plantations on soils of low fertility of the Tocantins state depend on fertilization to reach their potential growth. The micronutrients omission revealed to be as limiting as the control Figure 2. Stem biomass for each block/clones of E.urophylla x E. grandis at 3 yr-old at Brejinho de Nazaré, Northen Brazil, according to the omission treatment (Table 1). treatment (no fertilization). The content of boron foliar seems to be the most important indicator, because it showed a positive correlation with the stem volume across all treatments (Figure 4). Figure 4. Relationship between .boron foliar and stem volume for all 28 plots in 2014. With the results shown on Figure 4, a new experiment was installed with the omission of Figure 3. LAI of the clone A217 at 3 yr-old at Brejinho de Nazaré, Northern Brazil, according to the omission treatment (Table 1). Figure 2 presents stem biomass at 3 years-old while Figure 3 contains the LAI results. For the sandy and poor soil of this trial (Yellow Oxisol, subsoiling site prep), the trial, at just 1 year -old, already shows the crucial need of fertilizers to promote forest and growth. The most limiting nutrients are the micronutrients, followed by K (Figures 2), clearly showing the need to incorporate them in the initial fertilization of the forest to guarantee fast canopy closure and high growth rates. In addition, the trial was kept free of weed competition, pointing that in an operational scale the fertilization will facilitate the weed control due to the lower light environment below the Eucalyptus canopy. micronutrients, in order to figure out which elements are most limiting to forest growth in that region. Figure 5 shows the difference between the control treatment and complete at 6 months of age on the micronutrient. omission trial. Figure 5. Omission of micronutrientes at 6 months in Tocantins – Brazil. Control plot (left) and complete plot (right). Next Steps The site will continue to be measured every six (DBH, Height, LAI) months for the long term 22 Regionwide 25: Nutrient omission at the establishment and early development of Eucalyptus grandis in Colombia. Trial series objectives Figure 1. Location of RW25 trials in Colombia 1– To determine the critical nutrients for establishment of E. grandis plantations. 2– To evaluate the clonal response of omission of one or more nutrients at establishment of each site. 3– To model the biological and economical response of E. grandis clones to the omission of site specific nutrients and to determine operational strategies 4.– To update site-specific cooperators models use to prescribe fertilization of new planted clonal materials. Treatments and experimental design Three studies were established by SmurfitKappa Carton de Colombia. Trials were located at three representative and contrasting soil conditions of the south, central and north areas of the Cauca Valley in Colombia, which are extensively planted with E. grandis. Trials were established in 2012 considering a spacing of 3x3 m . The north site has 3.900 mm, the central site 1.550 mm and the southern site 2558 mm of rainfall (Figure 1). The experimental design consisted of a pseudo latin square considering genotypes and omission fertilization treatments with true replicates as sites. Therefore fertilization omission treatments were randomly assigned to each genotype being evaluated. Nutrition omission treatments considered no fertilization (Control), no P (-P), no K (-K), no N (-N), no micronutrients (No Micros), no Ca & Mg (-Ca&Mg), and all nutrients applied (Full Fert. Five genotypes (clones and seed) were selected to be evaluated across sites. All plantations had excellent pre-planting and post-planting full weed control applied during the first 6 months since establishment. Annual measurements consider total height, DBH and mortality and soil and foliage nutrient analyses. Soil chemical properties will be sampled annually to adjust soil indicators that may be used as predictors of potential response to applied nutrients. Environmental measurements will include temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, vapour pressure deficit and photosynthetically active radiation from local weather stations and periodical sensor measurements as available. Figure 2. Response at 24 months for no fertilized with P (left) and P fertilized plots (right) at RW254601. Preliminary Results Analysis of variance on basal area 12 months since establishment showed a significant site by fertilization treatment interaction (p<0.05). Site 254602 and 254603 had the lower and higher basal area (1.6 versus 3.0 m2/ ha), respectively. Phosphorus was the most limiting nutrient in all the sites (Figure 3), and its effect on growth was evident since the evaluation at the 6th month (Figure 2). 23 Figure 3. Mean basal area per site and fertilization treatment. Bars error correspond to the standard error. The sites 254601 and 254602 did not present other deficiency of any other macro– or micro nutrients. At the site 254603, N was the second largest nutrient limitation. Because of the greater productivity of this site, it may present any other nutrient limitation later in the rotation, which must be assessed. There were significant differences in basal area among the genotypes (p<0.05, Figure 4). The three best genotypes doubled the basal area of the genotypes having the lower productivity. There were no interaction among the genotypes neither with the sites conditions nor with the fertilization treatments. Figure 5. Clonal response to nutrient omission treatment at RW254601. Future direction Stands will be monitored until canopy closure or until rotation age given the short rotation period (7 years) at these sites in order to understand the value of fertilization until rotation age. New trials are underway to assess the most efficient P rate for operational purposes. Figure 4. Mean basal area per genotype. Bars error correspond to the standard error. 24 Regionwide 25 Omission of nutritional elements effects on the growth of young plantations of Eucalyptus nitens in the south-central Chile. Manuel Yaya M. 1 , Rafael Rubilar P. 2 & Manuel Monsalvez J. 2 1 Forest Science School, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile. Objectives .Table 1. Main characteristics of the study sites. 1. To determine the feasibility of maintaining high leaf area levels and maximum growth rates in young Eucalyptus plantations into half or full rotation stages. 2. To evaluated the importance of macro and micronutrients on the potential response to N and P additions across major contrasting soils and climatic conditions at high nutrient loading rates. 3. To evaluated leaf area, growth efficiency and foliar nutrient levels for high rates of N and P fertilization under a gradient of nutrient omission at different soil-site conditions. Methods Study area: Three sites were established for Eualyptus nitens (RW25) trials in the VIII region of Chile. Sites mean annual temperature average 13 -17 °C, rain fall range 1000-1400 mm per year and soils are considered recent volcanic ashes, marine sediments and red clay old volcanic ashes( Table 1.) Site Code City Las Bandurrias Millogue 255401 255402 254901 San Carlos Lebu Mulchen Latitude 36ª26’22.88” 37ª33’14.08” 37o49’69.02” Longitude 71ª41’07.38” 73ª37’08.95” 72º17’96.03” m.a.t. (ªC) m.a.p. (mm.year-1) Soil 14 13 17 1034 1302 1380 Recent ash volcanic Sediment marines ancient volcanic ash Results After the first 3 years of trials installation, the cumulative volume in recent volcanic ash was higher than the other sites. After the first fertilization treatment in 2011, the sites 255401 and 255402 showed no differences in the cumulated volume until month 33, afterwards the differences between the two sites increased (62 m3ha-1 at the end of the measurement period in January 2014). Trial design: The experimental design consisted of a completed randomized block design with three replicates. Treatments considered omission of some nutrients, with low (once a year) and high (twice a year, autumn & spring) nutrient loading frequencies focused on extreme additions that may avoid any potential nutrient limitation at each site. The whole study considered a total of 18 treatment (Table 2). Currently there have been 4 applications of fertilizer treatments in trials 255401 and 255402 which were established in 2011 in 1-year-old plantations. The trial 254901 was installed in 2012 in a 4-years-old plantation and treatments have been applied 3 times. Las Maicas Table 2. RW25 treatments 25 Figure 1 Cumulative volume reached between 12 to 47 months of 255401 and 255402 and stands between 55 to 73 months in 254901. Red line: 255401, Blue Line: 255402 & Green Line 254901 This indicates a better response to fertilization in the volcanic ash site. In ancient volcanic ash, at the end of the measurement period (month 73), the stand reached 144 m3ha-1 (Figure 1) Figure 3. Relationship between leaf area index (LAI m2m-2) and increased cumulative volume for the control and full fertilization treatments between 2012 and 2014. Red line: 255401, Blue Line: 255402 & Green Line 254901 month 43 at the trial 255402 (4 m3ha-1) and on month 66 at the trial 254901 (6.7 m3ha-1) (Figure 4). In the trial 255401, the peak of leaf area index was reached at the age of 39 months, with 8.3 units. In the trial 255402 the highest LAI was 6.2 at month 36. The trial 254901 peak LAI at age 60 months, and reached 7.4 units (Figure 2.) These results indicate that fertilization produces an increase in leaf area index, and extend the period the tree keep te foliage, which is reflected in the volume reached by the plantation. Figure 2. Leaf area index for control and full fertilization between February 2012 and January 2014. Red line: 255401, Blue Line: 255402 & Green Line 254901 Figura 4. Growth efficiency (m3ha-1 / m2m-2) for treatments control and full fertilization. Red line: 255401, Blue Line: 255402 & Green Line 254901 In the trial 255401 the growth rate achieved by the contrast treatments was over 10 m3ha-1 per unit of LAI. At the trial 255402, the fertilized treatment produced 1.3 m3ha-1 more than the control treatment. The growth rates at the trial 254901 was 6.22 m3ha-1 in the fertilized and 5.68 m3ha-1 in the control (Figure 3). The maximum growth efficiency was achieved on month 33 at the trial 255401 (13 m3ha-1), on Future Direccion Identify environmental and nutritional variables that explain the growth and leaf area index response by different nutrient loads to establish levels of efficiency in the use of resources. 26 Graduate Student Research 28 Effects of intensive silviculture on the productivity of Eucalyptus in Venezuelan Llanos and a probabilistic analysis of its profitability Omar Carrero, Jose L Stape, Fred Cubbage, Lee Allen, Joe Roise - NCSU Background Increasing forest site productivity is a need in many areas. High land prices combined with landowners’ desire for increased profitability have motivated forest managers to apply more intensive silvicultural treatments in order to increase forest site productivity. Even if Eucalyptus plantations’ growth patterns were known in a particular area, the gap between attainable and current productivity is unknown. This information is important to estimate the expected responses to intensive silviculture and will help to decide where it is more convenient to apply silvicultural treatments to maximize investment. Understanding how intensive silviculture practices like weed control and fertilization + weed control affects productivity will permit managers to select the best treatments to increase productivity. Objectives Our objectives were: a) using Twin Plots 1) to estimate the gap between current and attainable productivity in Eucalyptus plantations under extra fertilization + weed control, 2) To estimate the treatment effect on light use and light use efficiency, and b) using Triplet Plots: 3) to estimate the gap between current and attainable productivity in Eucalyptus plantations under extra fertilization + weed control and extra weed control. Figure 1. LAI, nutrient content and biomass determination in the Twin-Plot Pairs across the Company landscape Materials and Methods To estimate the gap between current and attainable productivity, we established 53 pairs of plots measured for two years (Fig.1). Each pair consisted of a control plot (Control) which received the management regime regularly applied to the stands and a treated plot (Twin) which received an intensive silviculture treatment (fertilization + weed control) in addition to the operational management applied to the control plots. Figure 2. Initial and Stem Biomass increment after 2 years in twin-plot pairs In those sites where 75% of the surface was covered by weeds a third plot (Triplet) was established. Those plots received only an intensive 29 weed control besides operational management. the Results After two years, stem biomass growth in control and twin plots was 12.4 and 14.8 Mg ha-1 yr-1 respectively (Fig.2). This difference represents a gain of 2.4 Mg ha-1yr -1 over 2 years. We found significant statistical differences for APAR by twin and control plots, whose averages where 1406 MJ m-2 yr-1 and 1344 MJ m-2 yr-1 respectively, representing 5% increase (Fig.3). Figure 3. APAR and LUE of the Twin-Plot pairs showing that the increase in growth (Fig. 2) was mainly due to the increase in LUE and not APAR. + 20% Figure 4. LAI, N concentration in the canopy and Nitrogen Area Index for the Twin-Plot pairs.. The increase in LUE was higher, reaching 21 % or 1.1 g/MJ (Fig.3). The Nutrient Area Index (LAI x N concentration) was the best predictor of the measured yield gain (Fig. 4). We found that the stem biomass increment averaged 13.4, 15.1, and 17.2 Mg ha-1 yr-1 for the control, weed control, and fertilization + weed control (Fig.5). Although weed control (triplet plots) could increase nutrient availability (beside plant water availability), it seems the amount of nutrients released was not enough to cover trees’ demand. No statistical differences in APAR were found, but they were found in LUE between the twin plots and the others (control and triplets), which seem to be a consequence of a higher foliar nutrient concentration. The results clearly shows that the Twin-Plot design was very effective to provide a realistic view of the forest potential growth at the landscape level, allowing the financial analysis incorporating risk. Acknowledgements Figure 5. Stem biomass increment for the control, weed control only and fertilization plus weed control. To Universidad de Los Andes, NCSU, PavecaDeforsa, FPC, SOFAC, Zobel Grant and SCC. 30 Eucalyptus forest plantation effects on soil organic carbon across Eastern Brazil Rachel L. Cook 1 , Dan Binkley 2 , and Jose Luiz Stape 1 1 Introduction North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources; 2 Colorado State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Sequestering atmospheric carbon in plant biomass and soil organic matter can improve soil quality and potentially mitigate climate change. However, the effects of tropical plantation forestry on soil carbon, and therefore on soil quality and long-term sustainability, requires further examination to determine what factors drive changes. Because impacts of intensive forestry practices on soil organic carbon are highly variable, we require a better understanding of trends to determine the sustainability of these operations. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine trends in soil carbon stocks and changes over time across three regions of Brazil, and 2) evaluate certain factors influencing soil carbon sequestration. This understanding in tropical plantation forestry can help develop the environmental sustainability of intensive forest management. Methods In 2010, we collected soils from 306 Eucalyptus plantations that had been previously sampled in 2001 and the 1980s and1990s across three regions of Eastern Brazil in order to measure the change in soil carbon over time and across various soils and climates (Figure 1). Eucalyptus plots were sampled from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm for soil carbon concentration and bulk density to determine soil carbon stocks and evaluate the long-term effects of continuous Eucalyptus 31 management. Technical field support was provided by the forestry companies Copener, Fíbria, and Suzano. Results Analysis of long-term, intensively managed Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil shows regional differences in soil carbon changes (Figure 2). Region 1 had an average value of –0.07 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 (not significantly different from zero), Region 2 averaged –0.80 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, and Region 3 average +0.27 Mg C ha-1 yr-1. Bulk density had some impact on soil carbon stocks. Multivariate models showed significant environmental variables that explained soil carbon stocks and changes to include: initial carbon content, clay content, rainfall, and temperature. Summary Results from the 300 Eucalyptus sites show that even with the same tree species and silvicultural treatments, soil carbon dynamics vary across regions. However, the slow, but gradual shift towards carbon accumulation over the last two decades may indicated more sustainable silvicultural practices since about the year 2000, such as minimum cultivation, improved fertilization, and elimination of burning practices. The multivariate model showed variable relationships depending on the time period, but the most important factors causing shifts in soil carbon relate to initial carbon content, clay content, rainfall, and temperature. Continued and consistent monitoring of soil quality with soil organic carbon will help us assess the sustainability of intensive Eucalyptus production across a broad geographic gradient. For more detailed information, dissertation can be accessed at: the full http://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/ir/ bitstream/1840.16/7759/1/etd.pdf Acknowledgements Support for this work was provided by the Forest Productivity Coop, the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Travel Grant, and the Brazilian companies: Suzano, Copener, and Fibria. We also owe a great deal of thanks to for cooperation from ESALQ/USP and IPEF in Brazil. 32 Soil carbon dynamics following reforestation of tropical pastures in Brazil 1 Rachel L. Cook 1 , Dan Binkley 2 , Jose Luiz Stape 1 , and Joao Carlos T. Mendez 3 North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources; 2 Colorado State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; 3 University of Sao Paulo, ESALQ, Brazil Introduction Sequestering atmospheric carbon in plant biomass and soil organic matter can both improve soil quality and potentially mitigate climate change. However, the effects of tropical plantation forestry on soil carbon dynamics, and therefore on soil quality and long -term sustainability, requires further examination to determine what factors drive changes. Because impacts of intensive forestry practices on soil organic carbon are highly variable, we require a better understanding of trends to determine the sustainability of these operations. The objectives of this research are 1) to determine the tree species effects on soil carbon from reforestation of cattle pasture to Conifer or Broadleaf (primarily pine and Eucalyptus) forest plantations, and 2) quantify the turnover and soil carbon dynamics following reforestation. Methods We collected soils in 2009 at the Anhembi Research Station (Figure 1), in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, across 622 ha of reforested pasture. Transects were sampled across 21 paired plots (1 Reference-Pasture, 10 Pasture-Broadleaf, and 10 Broadleaf-Conifer pairs) to see the effect of reforestation on soil organic carbon due to tree species. The plots were organized as a chronosequence, substituting space for time with stand ages of 6-34 years. By examining a sequence of increasing stand ages, we can eliminate the need to wait thirty years for resampling by substituting space for time. Soils were sampled at the O-horizon and mineral soil layers of 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, and 30-45 cm. To examine soil carbon turnover rates between vegetation types, we analyzed stable carbon isotopic signatures to differentiate residual pasture carbon (C4 plants with higher 13C accumulation) from new forest-derived carbon (C3 plants with lower 13C accumulation). Results Analyses of total soil carbon (O-horizon plus mineral soil to 45 cm) from the Anhembi Research Station showed an average (± standard error) of 36.0 ± 1.7 Mg C ha-1 for pasture paired with 36.8 ± 1.9 Mg C ha-1 for Broadleaves, and 38.3 ± 1.9 Mg C ha-1 for Broadleaves paired with 36.0 ± 1.6 Mg C ha1 for Conifers (averaged across all ages of stands). Soil carbon was not statistically different between Pasture-Broadleaf paired plots, but Broadleaves had 6% higher soil carbon than Conifers (Figure 3) in those 33 pairs. The reduction in soil carbon from the Reference forest to pasture is likely due both decomposition and erosion following original land-use change. To estimate annualized soil carbon change after reforestation, we divided mean soil carbon by mean age of Eucalyptus (22.5 yrs) or Pine (29 yrs) and can be 95% confident that the change in total soil carbon falls in the interval of –0.13 to 0.36 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 for conversion to Broadleaf plantations, and –0.26 to 0.50 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 for conversion to Conifers. While there was no significant soil carbon accumulation over time based on the chronosequence approach, stable carbon isotopes showed the loss of forest-derived C3 soil carbon decreased with depth. Particularly interesting was that forestderived carbon gains were offset exactly with pasture-derived soil carbon losses in the 0-15 cm layer. Results showed a significant decrease in pasture-derived soil carbon in each soil layer, but slower decomposition as depth increased (Figure 4). Summary Results indicate that tree species of forest plantations have little effect on soil carbon stocks up to 34 years following reforestation in Southeastern Brazil. Stable carbon isotope results illustrate slower rates of pasture derived soil carbon decomposition with increasing depth and that accumulation of forest-derived soil carbon is offset by pasture-derived soil carbon losses. These results improve our understanding of soil carbon dynamics following land-use change. For more detailed information, the full dissertation can be accessed at: http:// repository.lib.ncsu.edu/ir/ bitstream/1840.16/7759/1/ etd.pdf Acknowledgements Support for this work was provided by the Forest Productivity Coop. We also owe a great deal of thanks to for cooperation from ESALQ and IPEF in Brazil. 34 Effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. globulus, E. nitens and Acacia melanoxylon short-rotation forest crops (SRFC) for energy production in contrasting soils of the Bío-Bío Region, Chile Edwin Esquivel, Rafael Rubilar, Simón Sandoval, Eduardo Acuña, Jorge Cancino, Miguel Espinosa y Fernando Muñoz . Abstract With the aim of reducing greenhouse gases emissions, demand for sustainable raw material in power generation using tree biomass has increased. However, sustainability of these SRFC in marginal soils has been questioned due to the reduction of time between harvests. This project evaluated Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. nitens and Acacia melanoxylon SRFC at three stockings effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron use related to biomass production after four years (harvesting age) at two contrasting soil conditions. Biomass production and nutrient use showed major differences among species and between sites but little effect from stocking. These responses contributed to the project´s objective of obtaining a sustainable protocol for bioenergy production. Introduction Forest biomass is emerging as an alternative for low emission and renewable energy source (Richardson and Verwijst, 2007). However, sustainability of biomass production depends on its silviculture (Richardson, 2006) and major limitations for biomass production depend on soil sustainability (Mead, 2005), particularly considering that SRFC are expected to be grown on forest or abandoned agricultural land in order to not compete with food or other productive land alternatives. On the other hand, use of SRFC on forest land can increase nutrient removals when compared with long-term rotations of traditional timber production (Stupak et al., 2007). Therefore, the sustainability of wood energy production may requires a sustainable nutrient supply (Kauter et al., 2003). This will also allow for greater above and below ground carbon sequestration as an additional objective of SRFC . Objectives Evaluate the effect of short rotation species at contrasting planting densities, in nutrient use per unit of biomass produced. Methodology Experimental Desing: Randomized complete b l o c k ( n = 3 ) . Sampling: Soils 2, 4, 11, 16, 23, 28, 36, 40 and 48 months at 0-20 and 20-40 cm depth. Biomass at 11, 23, 36 and 48 months. Nutritional and lab analyses: Soils: Available N (N-NO3, N-NH4), P, K and B, T o t a l C a r b o n a n d p H . Biomass tissues : Stem, branch and foliage biomass and N, P, K y B concentrations. Results Table 1. Species and evaluated at each site . Site Species Stockings trees ha-1 stocking treatments Granitic Sandy Soils Xeralfs Soils Psamments A. melanoxylon, A. melanoxylon, E. nitens and E. camaldulensis E. nitens and E. globulus 5.000, 7.500 y 10000 The analyses showed an increase in N availability for N fixing species at sandy soils (Acacia) at 48 months and interactions with other nutrients. Effects differed between sites where at granitic soils ammonium and potassium showed increased levels at 0-20 cm depth; at sandy soil nitrate and phosphorus presented higher levels in concentration at both depths (0-20 20-40 cm). 35 Table 2. P values of analysis of effect of species (Sp), densities (Den) and interaction (Sp*Den) evaluated in each site (granitic and sandy) for the age 48 months. Site Depth 20-40 0-20 20-40 0.076 0.005 0.367 0.694 0.375 0.691 0.069 0.407 Sp*Den 0.903 0.701 0.815 0.283 Sp 0.290 0.566 0.702 0.039 Den 0.796 0.405 0.205 0.029 Sp*Den 0.491 0.697 0.823 0.405 Sp 0.773 0.732 0.562 0.609 0.170 0.207 0.007 0.547 Sp*Den 0.561 0.416 0.790 0.367 Sp 0.730 0.586 0.321 Phosphorus Den Potassium Boron Sandy 0-20 Sp Ammonium Den Nitrate Granitic Den 0.524 Figure 1. Relationship between total nitrogen (kg ha-1) and total biomass (Mg ha-1). Granitic site. Figura 2. Relationship between total nitrogen (kg ha-1) and total biomass (Mg ha-1). Sandy site <0.001 0.123 0.239 0.891 Sp*Den 0.803 0.472 0.792 0.748 Sp 0.344 0.178 0.531 0.706 Den 0.170 0.578 0.732 0.109 Sp*Den 0.869 0.601 0.843 0.794 Boron did not showed any effects at this age (Table 2 ). Most nutrients showed decreased levels after 24 months for all species and stockings suggesting fast nutrient depletion. However fertilization with NPKB at 30 months of age allowed soil nutritional levels to return to their initial status. Figure 1 and 2 show the relationship between biomass and aboveground N use. Independent from site, species showed different nitrogen use efficiencies and differences in aboveground biomass production. These results suggest that A. melanoxylon shows a higher nutrient use efficiency for N but presented a poor biomass production at sandy soil sites compared to granitics. Independent of site E. nitens has shown interesting results, that suggests a high potential for this species as a biomass production alternative. Conclusions Differences in nitrogen use among species may affect sustainability of biomass production particularly for species with larger biomass accumulation but less efficiency on nitrogen use per unit of biomass. Fertilization is required to maintain soil nutritional levels and therefore sustained productivity at these marginal sites. Acknowledgement This research was funded by Chilean government INNOVA BIO BIO Project No. 06-PC S1-33 and Energía Verde and MASISA S.A companies support. 36 Using 3PG to model E. camaldulensis biomass potential for bioenergy plantations in Chile Edwin Esquivel, Rafael Rubilar, Simón Sandoval, Eduardo Acuña, Jorge Cancino, ABSTRACT Ecophysiological models such as 3PG predict the productivity of forest plantations using environmental parameters and species ecophysiological characteristics. The 3PG model has been used several times on estimations for Eucalyptus traditional plantations. There are few experiences using this model to evaluate plantations for bioenergy production at high stockings, and parameterization estimates for traditional plantations have been not applied to to estimate productivity from plantations to sitespecific level. To evaluate the prediction capacity on such plantations, a combination of 3PG parameters from the literature and local information was used to evaluate Eucalyptus camaldulensis biomass potential estimates for bioenergy production using 3PG in the southcentral valley of Chile. Plantations were established at high stockings of 5000, 7500 and 10000 trees per hectare at a marginal site for traditional forest production in granitic soils of the Bio Bio Region, Chile. Our results suggest that 3PG successfully estimated biomass production at 7500 and 10000 tph stockings, but failed at 5000 tph stockings due to competing vegetation caused by poor weed control efficiency but the model allowed for more real estimates under better intensive silviculture. Specific allometric equations calibrations at specific stockings are key to obtain appropriate biomass estimates. Our results suggest the need for incorporating a competing vegetation factor parameter to calibrate operational 3PG estimations. INTRODUCTION Forest biomass can be considered a sustainable alternative for clean energy production (Richardson and Verwijst 2007). A source of clean energy such as biomass from dedicated energy plantations can both fix carbon as well as become an important energy source (Berndes et al., 2003, Sartori et al., 2006). Short rotation crops for bioenergy may consider 3 to 5 years and a commercial rotation up to 30 years (Aylott et al., 2008). High levels of variation on yield depend on site factors and silvicultural practices, especially for stands established on marginal sites (Richardson 2006). Under these conditions, the benefits that wood energy plantations may have are: protection of soil erosion (Feikema et al 2010) and organic matter acculation at impoverished sites. The aim of this research was to parametrize and evaluate weaknesses and strengths of 3PG process based model as an effective tool for biomass estimation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis bioenergy plantations established at high stockings on marginal soils of the Biobío Region, Chile. METHODOLOGY The field study was established as a randomized complete block experimental design with 3 replicates (n=3). Plantation was fertlized at establishment and weed control was applied 1 year after planting. Individual tree measurements of H and DBH were obtained at 2, 4, 11, 16, 23, 28, 36, 40 and 48 months of stand development in order to evaluate seasonal and climatic effects on tree growth. Biomass sampling was estimated at 11, 23, 36 and 48 months, and nutritional analyses were obtained at each instance for major biomass components considering stem, branch and foliage biomass for N, P, K y B concentrations. 3PG model parametrization was calibrated with local biomass equations for each stocking level, and ecophysiological parameters were obtained from the literatura. Climatic data was obtained from the nearest weather station. RESULTS Our results suggest that 3PG successfully estimated biomass production at 7500 and 10000 tph stockings, but failed at 5000 tph. The model in all cases estimated accurately plantation survival (data not shown) and major differences in productivity, at each stocking level, were explained by individual tree growth. Unfortunately weed control did not effectively limited competing vegetation growth at the lowest stocking and caused a major reduction Figure 1. 3PG estimates for Eucalyptus camaldulensis stem biomass (Mg ha-1) and DBH (cm) at 5.000 (A), 37 7.500 (B) y 10.000 (C) trees ha-1. Grey squares represent actual biomass estimates at each stcoking level. Age of the stand (years) in individual tree growth explaining differences in model prediction. As shown in Figure 1, specific allometric equations calibrations at specific stockings were key to obtain appropriate stand biomass estimates and individual tree size parameters such as diameter and height for each stocking level. The model estimates resulted in highly accurate estimates for 10000 trees ha-1 and had a minor overestimation for the 7500 ha-1. stocking. CONCLUSIONS 3PG successfully estimates biomass production for short rotation bioenergy plantations of E. camaldulensis at high stockings. Age of the stand (years) Accurate biomass estimates are only possible with 3PG under no competing vegetation effects. Stocking specific biomass allometric relationships are key to obtain accurate estimates from 3PG. ACKNOWLEDGMENT S Funding for this project was provided by Chilean government INNOVA BIO BIO Agency Project No. 06-PC S1-33 and Energía Verde and MASISA S.A companies. the Forest Productivity Cooperative, the Soil, Nutrition and Forest Productivity Laboratory at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at Universidad de Concepción, 38 Using forest inventory as a tool of monitoring silvicultural quality in Eucalyptus clonal plantations Rodrigo Eiji Hakamada, José Luiz Stape, Cristiane Camargo Zani de Lemos Introduction Forest productivity is defined by the environment the population is inserted, the implementation of genetically superior material and the correct silvicultural management applied to this material. The correct prescription of technical recommendations and the execution of those operations according to acceptable quality standard are intended to eliminate or minimized the growth constraints. Despite the silvicultural improvements that have occurred in recent decades, it is still possible to obtain gains in productivity through monitoring, early detection and correction of deviations in the silviculture. The objective of this study was to investigate an index for monitoring the silvicultural quality using forest inventory networks. The last step, the indexes and the concept of ORU were applied on a commercial scale in a network of forest inventory plots installed in 12.000 hectares of Eucalyptus clonal plantations in northeastern of São Paulo state, with about 2 years old, and planted within 1995 to 2009. Results In the definition phase, the index that represents the percentage of the total volume of 50% of smaller trees planted (which includes the planting holes) (PV50) was shown as the best adapted to the purpose of this study because it has finite limits (50% to 0%), includes the holes of planting and indirectly represents the distribution Material and Methods There were three stages of work: i) Definition of uniformity indexes of dendrometric variables; ii) Standardization of so-called optimal range of uniformity (ORU) and validation of the methodology through its application in a network of forest inventory for a single commercial clone. In the first stage we used three tests of the network BEPP (Brazil Eucalyptus Potential Productivity) with different levels of productivity to establish the appropriate indexes to characterize the silvicultural uniformity (Figure 1). Figure 2: Uniformity at the end of rotation (6 years) (PV50 – 6 years) related with initial uniformity at 5, 9, 12 e 24 months.. The second stage used five clonal test of Eucalyptus in Sao Paulo state to validate the concept of Optimum Range of Uniformity. Figure 1: (left) Uniform treatment at left and heterogeneous treatment at right and (b) aerial view of BEPP at IP site at 2,5 years (Stape et al., 2010) Figure 3: – Productivity at the end of rotation (6 years) (MAI – 6 years) related with initial uniformity at 5, 9, 12 e 24 months 39 Figure 5: Relative increment (%) on productivity (MAI) and uniformity (PV50) based on the year 1 Figure 4 – Productivity (MAI) (up) and uniformity (PV50) at 2 years at the five clonal tests of classes of growth. The uniformity at 5, 9, 12 and 24 months were strongly correlated to uniformity to 6 years (R² > 0.74) showing the possibility of early monitoring for detection of quality deviations in forestry (Fig. 2). Furthermore, the initial rate PV50 was highly correlated with the final yield (p <0.001) (Fig. 3). At the stage of standardization, there was no statistical difference (Tukey, 5%) of PV50 among clonal tests despite their different yields, showing that the uniformity index can be generalized, irrespective of the productivity of the site. The ORU of PV50 was from 37 to 50%, i.e., sample plots which have the PV50 within this range can be considered satisfactory "uniform" (Fig. 4). In the validation phase, when the concept was applied on a commercial scale there was a strong temporal evolution of PV50. In the plantations made in 1995 the average of PV50 was 29% and increased to 42% in 2009 (Figure 5). The percentage of plots within the optimal range of uniformity clearly tended to rise over this period and could be related to major improvements in forestry operations and their monitoring through quality control. Conclusion Uniformity was confirmed as a fundamental variable to monitor operational quality in Eucalyptus clonal plantation Uniformity Index (PV50) and the Optimum Range of Uniformity (ORU) permitted to capture the evolution of silvicultural quality in a large scale, being possible to indicate it to monitor silvicultural quality. References Stape et al. 2010. The Brazil Eucalyptus potential productivity project: influence of water, nutrients and stand uniformity on wood production. Forest Ecology and Management, Amsterdam, 259: 1686–1694. Table 1. Evolution of MAI and PV50 from 1995 to 2009. Results are shown in average, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, amplitude and confidence interval. 40 Growth, water use and water use efficiency of Eucalyptus clones under different spacings: from the tree to the watershed scales Rodrigo Hakamada, Silvio Ferraz, Robert Hubbard, Jose Stape, Cristiane Lemos, Adriano Almeida Introduction The definition of planting spacing is a strategic decision for the establishment of any forest. It directly affects its productivity, competition for resources among individuals and the final wood products. Many studies in planted forests have been done to define the spacing with the main focus on biomass. However, there are few studies on the impact of plant density in relation to water use, water use efficiency and the interaction among genetics and spacings (WHITE et al., 2004). Thus, the overall goal of the study is to determine the effect of spacing on biomass production, water use and water use efficiency in Eucalyptus clonal plantation in two scales: tree and watershed. With this study, we would like to answer the questions: i) does the interaction between spacing and genetics have a relationship with water use and water use efficiency? Why? ii) Can the effects of water use affect water yield at watershed scale? To estimate water use, homemade sap flow probes were installed in August 2013 at eight trees per group of spacing in four clones with different canopy structure and growth (Figure 2) and will be measured for two years. Precipitation, stemflow and canopy interception has been measured since September 2013. To explain differences in terms of water use (WU) and water use efficiency (WUE) measurements of dendrometers (monthly), Leaf Area Index (LAI), leaf water potencial, soil humidity and fine roots depth are planned to be done. Material and Methods The project encompasses two stages. The first assay is using a systematic planting density trial of the TECHS network (Eucalyptus Tolerance of Thermal and Hydric Stresses) located in Sao Paulo state at southeast region in Brazil, planted in February 2012. The objective of this step is to determine water use and water use efficiency at tree scale (Figure 1). Measured trees are covering stockings used for the main wood products and range from 600 to 3,000 trees per hectare. Figure 2 – Measured clones of Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla (Cenibra, IP22 and GG100) and one clone of E.grandis x E.camaldulensis (Cop1277) Results of water balance at tree scale will be modeled at watershed scale using a watershed 20 kilometers far from the TECHS site which water yield has been monitored for 10 years. The SWAT hydrological model will be used (Soil and Water Assessment Tool - swat.tamu.edu) to spatialize results. Current Status Figure 1 – Layout of systematic spacing design with the eight spacings (four groups) with water balance measurements and the main use of wood International Paper in Brazil has supported this research through a partnership among the company and University of São Paulo, USDA Forest Service and North Carolina State University. Processed data of twelve months old are already available and also is the sapflow of one month measurement (but not validated). Measurements of wood growth have been done every 6 months and dendrometer measurements will be monthly. 41 Initial results At twelve months all clones presented the tendency of having more wood from wider to tighter spacing (Figure 3), but with a high variation between clones of more than 60%. The data of canopy depth showed the opposite, with more trees per hectare showing a shallow canopy (Figure 4). Water use followed the same behavior of wood growth, with more transpiration with more trees per hectare. Despite being an initial analysis, the same water consumption in clones CNB10 and COP1277 can represents a significant difference in terms of WUE, once Cenibra clone growth 66% more than COP1277 at 3,000 trees per hectare. It might be an alternative of management to reduce water use at watershed scale. Measuring wood growth, LAI and WU will permit us to have more detailed WUE in a large range of spacing and clones. Figure 3 – Wood growth at twelve months at the eight spacings. Dotted line represents the average of four clones Figure 5 – Relative transpiration to 1.500 trees per hectare (%) of three clones and four groups of stockings. Future plans Figure 4 – Average canopy depth of four clones These results evidence the beginning of competition at tightest spacing. Loss of leaves might be occurring because of light attenuation or because of water deficit, activating petiole abscission (RIOV, GOREN, 1979). We plan to continue measurements of wood growth every six months and dendrometers monthly. Leaf water potential and relative water content will be measured in October 2013, April and October 2014 and April 2015. Soil water content and fine roots density will be collected in October 2014 and April 2015. Maybe a measurement of non-structural carbohydrate analysis could be done depending on the initial results of transpiration. Measurements of air humidity and wind speed to calculate boundary 42 Growth and yield model for Eucalyptus benthamii in the SE United States Kevin B. Hall, Jose Luiz Stape Background The demand for short-rotation hardwood plantations for pulp and paper as well as the potential of a biomass market has increased interests in a cold tolerant Eucalyptus species suitable for fluctuating winter weather. This has resulted in eucalypt trials being installed across the southeastern United States to examine the cold tolerance and biomass potential. The FPC cold tolerance eucalypt screening trial was established with 150 species. After three years, seven species showed sufficient cold tolerance through 2010, 2011 and 2012 winters with E. benthamii being the best performer. Permanent plots were subsequently installed across the southeastern states in a range of stand sizes, from small research plots to commercial plantations, to be used in conjunction with the RW24 trials to access the actual productivity of E. benthamii. With the support of the IBSS grant and the FPC, a network of Eucalyptus benthamii permanent inventory plots have been installed across the southeast. Standard inventory measurements, leaf area index estimation, and foliage and soil samples were taken to provide yield and nutrition information for each plot. Growth and yield modeling is necessary for foresters to make management decisions and economic evaluations. Figure 2. FPC RW24 trial in Louisiana. Site Description The objective of the permanent inventory plot network is to encompass all growing conditions to provide a realistic view of production. Eucalyptus benthamii plots within FPC RW24 study were used as a foundation to the permanent inventory plot network. Additional permanent inventory plots were installed on a range of sites. Measurements & Sampling Twenty-eight permanent plots have been installed ranging from 113 m2 to 314 m2 pending on parcel size. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured for all trees, and total height was measured for the individuals with the four largest DBH and the first six individuals. Soil samples were taken between trees within the row and also between rows. Wood samples has been collected to estimate wood biomass for the plots. Foliage samples were taken from four trees using FPC foliage sampling protocol. When applicable, leaf area index was estimated using the FPC LAI Handbook. Table 1 provides a summary of stand variables used to develop preliminary site index guide curve and growth and yield model. Preliminary Results Figure 1. FPC/IBSS Inventory Plots of E.benthamii Dominant height and age were used to develop initial site index guide curve. Using a base age 43 of six years, Site Index6 was predicted for each permanent plot to provide an understanding of site quality. For initial site index guide curve, the classic relationship of the natural logarithm of dominant height was regressed against the inverse of age (Avery and Burkhart, 2002). An initial growth and yield model was derived using age (months), basal area (per hectare) and site index (meters) at base age 72 months Table 1. Summary of stocking, basal area, site index and total volume by age. Standard error of the mean shown in parenthesis. Figure 4. 3-year old E. benthamii in Alabama with SI6=18 m. hectare, a yield table was generated from the preliminary growth model (Table 2). Next Steps To improve site index guide curve by investigating polymorphic guide curves and to develop the G&Y models for both volume and biomass. Figure 3. Scatter plot of dominant height (meters) for each sample plot with site index curves with a base age of 6 years. Work Cited Avery, Thomas E. and Harold Burkhart. Measurements. 2002. Forest Using a basal area of 20 square meters per Dougherty, Derek and Jeff Wright. 2012. “Silviculture and economic evaluation of eucalypt plantations in the southern US.” BioResources 7(2): 1994-2001. Table 2. Preliminary yield table for E. benthamii (m3 ha-1) for SE US, stocking based on 20 sq. m per hectare. Acknowledgements to predict total volume (m3 ha-1). The model was developed using approximately 71 plots. This project is supported by the IBSS project and the FPC and its cooperators. The IBSS project is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 201168005-30410 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 44 The radiation-temperature effect on cold tolerant Eucalyptus species Kevin B. Hall, Jose L. Stape, Thomas R. Fox, Rafael Rubilar, Timothy J. Albaugh Introduction Eucalyptus genus has more than 800 species, which occur in their native range in AustraliaIndonesia from equator to 40º South. In the SE US, many Eucalyptus initiatives are trying to identify cold-hardy species that can be used for fiber, biomass, biofuels or mulch production, with the ability to coppice after harvesting. To fully investigate the existence of potential new species and how their growth rate are affected by the radiation-temperature, a screening and detailed measurement trial were install in a typical Piedmont area of North Carolina. The objective of this study is to examine potential differences in cold tolerant eucalypts rate of biomass accumulation through the winter months. Furthermore, this study aims to develop a robust relationship between average weekly biomass gain by species and the weekly average minimum temperature. Materials & Methods A frost tolerance eucalypt screening trial was installed in Raleigh, NC in 2010 consisting of 150 different species on a clayey alfisol soil (fertile). The first winter was a mild winter and half of the species were unable to withstand the minimum temperatures. The 2012 winter proved to be a harsher winter an another 50 species experienced severe canopy damage. Of the remaining species, seven shown to be not only frost tolerant but had high growth rates (Table 1). Biomass accumulation for eucalypts can be measured weekly because their shorter lag time following the fixation of carbon through photosynthesis. Unlike pines that store fixed carbon as carbohydrates during the winter months, Eucalyptus species immediately use a big portion of the fixed carbon for growth when climate factors allow. Parallel studies within the project include the assessment of specific leaf area and specific gravity by age and species. These additional studies increase the understanding of canopy biomass and development, as well as provide a Figure 1. 2.5 years-old E. benthamii (center) and E. viminalis (right) during snow event February 16th, 2013 in Raleigh, NC. better understanding of the dynamics of specific gravity through the duration of the expected rotation of eucalypts for biomass production in the SE US. Also, using maximum daily radiation data and canopy structure, we can begin to examine the amount of photosynthetically active radiation that is being absorbed by each sample tree. Beginning in October 2012, diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured and recorded weekly, using a diameter tape to the 1/100th of an inch to closely examine changes in DBH each week. Total height and height to canopy where measured monthly using a telescopic height pole. Between height measurements, a linear Table 1. Average weekly biomass growth by species. 45 Figure 2. Leaf sampling protocol for specific leaf area of cold tolerant Eucalyptus. Figure 4. Average weekly stem biomass growth (grams/tree/ week) for seven Eucalyptus species in Raleigh, NC. Preliminary Results Figure 3. (left) 8mm increment borer. (right) E. benthamii cores. relationship was used to estimate change in height on a weekly basis. Wood samples were collected using an increment borer with an 8 mm diameter to estimate bulk density at breast height for all species of interest. Sample trees at the Raleigh Trial consisted of both two– and three-year old trees. This methodology was also used in Ravenel, SC to sample trees with nine– and 13years old to capture change in specific gravity at breast height for frost tolerance eucalypts across a range of age classes. Using the FPC foliage sampling protocol (Figure 3), foliage samples were gathered for all sample trees to determine average specific leaf area for each species of interest. Laboratory exercises include scanning sample leaves to determine leaf area, drying leaves to determine dry biomass, as well as grinding foliage for future nutrient analysis. All of these works have been implemented with the intention of increasing the understanding the limitations of growth for frost tolerant Eucalyptus species as well as to characterize the wood properties and biomass allocation. Average weekly stem biomass accumulation for each of the seven species of interest can be seen in Figure 4. The graph shows that frost tolerant Eucalyptus species will continue to add stem biomass through the winter months as long as the weekly average minimum temperature allows. This gives eucalypts an advantage over pine species and native hardwoods that store fixed carbon or remain dormant, respectively, during winter months. Figure 4 also shows that during summer months there are climate factors that are limiting the growth of frost tolerant eucalypts. Bulk density sampling showed that there is a significant increase in the specific gravity of wood at breast height over time. This suggest that rotation age for frost tolerant eucalypts should be dependent on the desired product. For example, forest managers growing Eucalyptus primarily for biofuel or biomass should consider extending the rotation from six-years to eight-years in order to capture the gain in specific gravity as well as the additional growth to increase the biomass yield.Next Steps Radiation-temperature modulators will be investigated for the 52 weeks of data for the seven species. We expected that this information will help on the Cold-hardy Eucalyptus zoning potential for the SE US. Acknowledgements IBSS project (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2011-6800530410 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture) has been supporting this study. 46 Individual stem volume, green weight and biomass equations of cold tolerant Eucalypts Kevin B. Hall, Jose Luiz Stape Background A strong research initiative has been focused on establishing cold tolerant Eucalyptus plantations across the SEUS in order to expand the region of potential sites. Freezing winter temperatures have proven to be the primary climatic variable that limits the range eucalypts in North America. As a result, an emphasis has been placed on frost tolerant Eucalyptus species. The FPC cold tolerant eucalypt screening trial was established with 150 species. After three years, six species of the section Maidenaria have shown sufficient cold tolerance and fast growth characteristics. It is necessary to be able to predict individual stem volume and biomass for the principal species of interest to accurately assess growth and yield. Detailed individual stem volume and biomass equations are necessary when estimating total yield at the plot or stand level. With the support of the IBSS grant and the FPC, forty trees were sampled to determine the stem volume, green weight and dry weight. The objectives of this research are to 1) develop widely applicable total and merchantable individual stem volume, green weight and biomass outside– and inside-bark allometric equations for frost tolerant eucalypts and 2) quantify the biomass partitioning of E.benthamii for both above– and belowground compartments. Figure 1. E.benthamii 1-m sections in S.Carolina. inside-bark was recorded for each disc as well as the green weight. Discs and bark were dried to a constant weight to determine moisture content and overall dry weight of each bolt. Smalian’s formula was used to estimate the volume for each bolt and the volume equation of a cylinder and a cone were used to estimate the stump and top-section respectively. The summation of each bolt yields to total stem volume, green weight and dry weight for each stem (Table 1). Table 1. Summary statistics for total stem volume, green weight and dry weight of frost tolerant Eucalyptus. Materials & Methods Study trees ranged from two to nine years old to capture size classes through the anticipated rotation age (six years). Forty trees were sampled among six species including E.badjensis, E.benthamii, E.dorrigoensis, E.macarthurii, E.nitens and E.viminalis. Samples trees were selected based on the diameter distribution of a temporary plot at each site to adequately represent the size classes. Following felling, dbh, total height and canopy height were measured. Branches were removed from the stem, and the stem was separated into one-meter bolts to a 2.5-cm top. Each bolt was weighed, and a disc was collected from the base of each bolt. The diameter outside– and Variables Mean St. error Min. Max. dbh (cm) 13.9 0.98 4.0 32.3 Height (m) 11.8 0.84 6.6 25.5 Bark 2.3 0.23 0.4 7.6 Outside-bark 0.1190 0.0248 0.0051 0.821 Inside-bark 0.0992 0.0202 0.0045 0.666 Outside-bark 113.8 26.2 3.0 852.0 Inside-bark 98.9 22.1 2.6 701.3 Outside-bark 53.2 11.3 2.1 349.9 Inside-bark 46.3 10.0 1.8 310.9 Per tree basis thickness* Volume (m3) Green weight (kg) Biomass (kg) 47 Six nine-year old E.benthamii trees were selected to determine the allocation of biomass. Following the removal of branches, all leaves were removed and both branches and foliage weighed separately in the field to determine total green weight for each compartment. A one-kilogram sample of each compartment was dried to determine the moisture content and the dry weight of each compartment. A one by one-meter wooden frame was centered around each E.benthamii stump to define the belowground sampling area. All soil and lateral roots were excavated in 20centimeter depth increments. Roots were collected to a depth of one-meter and the tap root was removed. All additional roots from the tap root beyond one-meter were collected and labeled to the corresponding sample depth. All roots were dried at 60 degrees Celsius to a constant bone dry weight. The total biomass of the six E.benthamii sample trees can be estimated using the dry weight estimations of each compartment (canopy, branch, stem wood, stem bark, and coarse roots) (Table 2). Table 2. Descriptive statistics of nine-year old E.benthamii biomass allocation (dry weight, kg). Mea n 8.4 Standard deviation 7.1 6 30.2 37.0 2.9 98.6 6 162.2 91.7 40.0 310.9 Stem bark 6 21.1 12.0 6.5 39.0 Coarse roots 6 31.0 18.8 7.7 62.3 Compartments Canopy n Branches Stem wood 6 Min. Max. 1.6 21.6 Two allometric equations were used to test for bestness of fit of stem volume, green weight and dry weight: combined-variable (d2h) (Avery & Burkhart, 2002) and logarithmic (Schumacher & Hall, 1933) equation forms. Prior to accepting the logarithmic equation form, and generalized logarithmic equation for was examined to determine the significance of the y-intercept which was found to not be significant at the alpha level 0.05. The logarithmic equation form using dbh as the only independent variable was used to estimate dry weight of each compartment. Preliminary Results The logarithmic equation form out performed the estimation of stem volume, green weight and dry weight compared to the combinedvariable equation form based on the coefficient of determination and residual plots (Figure 2). Furthermore, The combined-variable y-intercept parameter estimate was found to not be significant at alpha level 0.05 for the green Figure 2. Residual plot of combined-variable and logarithmic model forms for stem dry weight outside bark (kg) weight and dry weight response variables. The logarithmic equation form showed to be the Table 3. Parameter estimates for each response variable outside bark. Model form: Response variable Volume (m3) Green weight (kg) Dry weight (kg) 0.00005 3 0.0281 0.0253 1 .7 3 0 7 1 .6 5 2 7 1 .4 8 9 4 Table 4. Parameter estimates compartment. Model form: for 1.1236 PseudoR2 0.99566 1.4149 099314 1.3494 0.99295 each 0.7065 0.6174 0.0002 0.0015 0.0747 0.3303 1.7953 1.7993 3.8283 2.7600 1.9432 2.0833 PseudoR2 0.9643 09658 0.9670 0.9791 0.9740 0.9778 0.4002 2.0656 0.9784 Response variable Stem with bark Stem without bark Branch Foliage Coarse Roots Aboveground woody* Total woody** E.benthamii *Aboveground woody = stem w/ bark + branch best predictor of stem variables (Table 3) and E.benthamii compartments (Table 4). Next Steps 1) Examine merchantable ratio of stem wood and 2) root:shoot of E.benthamii in SEUS. 48 Development of G&Y hybrid models for clones of Eucalyptus subject to different environmental and management condition in Brazil Scolforo, H. F , Stape, J. L. 1. Introduction The culture of Eucalyptus is expanding in all regions of the Brazil, however, much of the area under cultivation has limitations to plant development, notably with different levels of water stress. Eucalyptus plantations are primarily clonal, and these clones are adapted for each of these regions, due to the strong genotype x environment (GxE) interaction. This results in a more complex decision when selecting suitable genotypes for different environmental conditions, making it necessary to identify the most promising materials for each situation (Stape et al., 2004), ie, those that are best adapted to abiotic and biotic stresses of each local. The success of forest plantations requires the use of the more adapted genotype to different climate and soil conditions, but that add features of economic interest, and generating social value (Stape et al., 2006; 2010). In tropical regions of Brazil, the interannual variability of drought and excessive heat, cause significant interannual variations of the mean annual increment of Eucalyptus clonal plantations that have an accelerated rate of growth and water use. Therefore, projections made from different years can lead to completely different responses which creates insecurity for those who must do the forest planning. Thus the development of hybrid or inclusion of environmental variables in models describing growth is a concrete form of the evolution in biometrics area by improving its general condition and projection accurately. Brazil in 30 different sites with the insertion of soil and climate characteristics that most influence the genotype x environment interaction, in order to reduce the estimated errors and especially to provide a physiological sensitivity to mathematical models, beyond attempts to increase the generalizability power of the same. The following specific objectives: Develop descriptive models for 11 clones of Eucalyptus in 30 sites in Brazil; Develop hybrid models for these same clones and sites with the incorporation of soil and climatic variables; Evaluate the accuracy of the descriptive models with and without the GE interaction; Evaluate the accuracy of hybrid models with and without the GE interaction; Evaluate from descriptive models if it is feasible through the mixed effect modeling cluster two or more clones in ideotypes; Evaluate from hybrid models if it is feasible through the mixed effect modeling cluster two or more clones in ideotypes; Propose the most appropriate way to model the GE interaction for Eucalyptus. This form indicates that modeling is capable of being generalist, realistic and accurate. 3. Materials and Methods 3.1 Forest inventory data 2. Objective The goal of this project is to model the growth and yield of the 11 most important clones in The dataset from the TECHS project will be provided. Therefore, the data set will consist of permanent inventory plots across 30 different sites of Brazil (Figure 1) evaluating 11 clones of 49 Eucalyptus for each site. Plantings occurred in 2011 and 2012 and the forest inventory has completed its first measurement in 2013, being held semi-annually. By 2017 there will be approximately 6 years of semiannual data representing a complete rotation for each of the 11 clones. The dendrometric variables to be measured: diameter at breast height (DBH), height (H), canopy height (Hc) and survival (N). The inventory will also contain soil and climatic variables such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), nutrient analysis of foliage and soil, soil structure, hydraulic analysis, measurement of such as: Sullivan and Clutter model (Sullivan and Clutter, 1972; Clutter et al., 1983), ChapmanRichards generalization of von Bertalanffy’s (Pienaar and Turnbull, 1973), as a whole-stand level approach in addition to others. Furthermore, it will be tested the efficacy of physiological process-based (3PG Model, Stape et al., 2004) and hybrid models, for the same dataset. Descriptive and hybrid models will also be considered for the mixed effect modeling. 4. Next Steps The study was started in August of 2014 and is supposed to be concluded by the middle of 2018. References CLUTTER, J.L., FORTSON, J.C., PIENNAR, L.V., BRISTER, R.G.H., BAILEY, R.L. 1983. Timber Management: A Quantitative approach. Wiley, New York, 333 pp. PIENAAR, L.V. and TURNBULL, K.J. 1973. The ChapmanRichards generalization of von Bertalanffy’s growth model for basal area growth and yield in even-aged sands. For. Sci. 19, 2-22. STAPE, J.L., BINKLEY, D., JACOB, W. and TAKAHASHI, E. 2006. A twin-plot approach to determine nutrient limitation and potential productivity in Eucalyptus plantations at landscape scales in Brazil. For. Ecol. Manage. 223, 358-362. evapotranspiration, plus record of climatic data. a complete daily Figure 1: Climatic zoning of Brazil and 30 sites of TECHS. 3.2 Modeling Studies for the proper understanding of the behavior of clones as well as the interaction of genotype / environment will be made. Tests will be performed to compare values and enable the observation of the trend in behavior between variables based on the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), correlation measures and graphical procedures, test of significance, for example. Different types of empirical/descriptive models will be tested and evaluated in terms of fitting, STAPE, J.L., BINKLEY, D. and RYAN, M.G. 2004. Eucalyptus production and the supply, use and efficiency of use of water, light and nitrogen across a geographic gradient in Brazil. For. Ecol. Manage. 193, 17-31. STAPE, J.L., BINKLEY, D., RYAN, M.G., FONSECA, R.A., LOOS, R.A., et al. 2010. The Brazil Eucalyptus Potential Productivity Project: Influence of water, nutrients and stand uniformity on wood production. For. Ecol. Manage. 259, 1684-1694. STAPE, J.L., RYAN, M.G. and BINKLEY, D. 2004. Testing the utility of the 3-PG model for growth of Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla with natural and manipulated supplies of water and nutrients. For. Ecol. Manage. 193, 219-234. SULLIVAN, A.D. and CLUTTER, J.L., 1972. A simultaneous growth and yield model for loblolly pine. For. Sci. 18, 76-86. 50 Effects of Intensive Silviculture in the Restoration Process of Northeastern Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil Aliisa Harjuniemi UH, Jose Stape NCSU, Jacyr Alves Copener Study objective The overall goal of this study is to compare the effects of intensive management versus traditional management methods on total above ground carbon stocks and on stem wood biomass development for 20 different native tree species in Atlantic forest restoration in Northeastern Brazil. I will also determine the effects of two different spacing and two different tree species composition for carbon allocation and long term sustainability. Finally I will compare the results of this study to the parallel study site in the Sao Paulo state in Figure 1. Randomized block design. A means 50:50 ratio of pioneers and later successional species, B 67:33 ratio, 1 means stocking 3333 tree/ha, 2 means 1667 trees/ha, X is intensive management methods and U traditional methods. Southeastern Brazil with similar design looking for site specific and general patterns. Study design The trial was installed in Bahia state, 200 km north from Salvador. The climate is a typical tropical climate; annual mean temperature is 24 °C and annual rainfall 1400 mm. The project has 23 factorial design, where intensive and traditional treatments (factor 1) were applied to 20 native species, for two initial stockings (factor 2, 3333 trees ha-1 and 1667 trees ha-1) and two species composition proportion (factor 3, 50/50 and 67/33 ratio of pioneer : later successional species). The treatments were applied in a Figure 2. The picture above is from a plot where intensive management was applied (A2X) and below a picture from a plot after traditional management (A1U). randomized block design (Figure 1). The trial has 40 plots; 4 plots for each treatment (4*8), 4 plots for control without forest restoration and 4 plot for destructive sampling. Each plot is 30 m * 39 m (1170 m2) with an interior plot of 24 m * 32 m (768 m2) on where measurements were made. All trees were planted on August 2004. Pictures illustrating the differences between intensive and traditional managements presented in Figure 2. Current status The height and diameter at 30 cm were measured for all trees in July 2012. In addition to this, forest floor and understory were sampled 51 Figure 3. Effects of intensive management to stem wood development on different tree species. and their dry weights were determined. Wood specific gravity was determined for all 20 tree species four times. The density for bark was determined four times as well. Basal areas and stem wood biomass estimates for each tree and plot were calculated to compare the effects of different treatments. Stem wood biomass (dry) was calculated based on tree cross sectional area, wood specific gravity and using a taper factor 0,5. Biomass estimates for bark was calculated separately because of the lower density of bark and added to the final stem wood biomass. By summing the biomass of all stems (including bark and wood), stem wood biomass estimates per plot were obtained. The results were presented in Mg/ha. Statistical analysis to find out the individual effects of treatments and the possible interactions was made using ANOVA GLM procedure with Minitab 15 software. Next I will calculate the total aboveground biomass for each plot to get estimates for the carbon stocks. For this, I will add the canopy dry mass estimates to obtain the total aboveground biomass of trees. To get more accurate estimates of the total amount of carbon in the system, I will also include understory and forest floor dry masses. The total amount of carbon per plot will be calculated by multiplying biomass estimates with 0,5. Ceptometer measurements are ongoing and will be ready approximately in mid October. I’m still waiting for results from leaf nutrient content analysis, forest floor furnace and weights from specific leaf area samples. The results from these measurements I will use to calculate the amount of carbon in forest floor, leaf area index and Figure 4. Effects of different treatments on stem wood stocks. canopy nutrimental status. Results Effects on different tree species. Intensive treatment had positive effect on the stem wood biomass development for all tree species (Figure 3). Stem wood stocks per treatment The spacing and the management method had both statistically significant influence (p < 0,000). Larger proportion of pioneer species had no effect on stem wood stocks 8 years after planting. No significant interactions was observed at significance level 0,05. Plots with intensive management method and denser stockings had bigger stem wood stocks (respectively 270 % and 70 % bigger). Comparison to the South site The responses to the treatments seem to be following similar patterns so far, at least regarding the effects of the intensive management. Summary The Intensive management method has a significant positive effect on stem wood stocks also in the Northeastern Brazil. However, not all calculations and analysis are finished yet. Longterm sustainably of larger pioneers species proportion may be too early to determine. Acknowledgements Travel to Brazil and the data analysis were funded by the Zobel grant and the FPC. Thanks especially to Copener for supporteding my stay and research in Brazil and for providing valuable help in the field and in the laboratory. My studies at NCSU were funded by the Atlantis program. 52 Fertilizer response to Eucalyptus plantations and its correlation with the soil, climate and silviculture characteristics in different regions of São Paulo state Renato Meulman Leite da Silva, José Luiz Stape, Antonio Natal Gonçalves Introduction The nutrients are essentials resources to wood production, therefore a nutritional management is needful to maintain a sustainable productivity on forests plantations. These plantations cover extensive landscapes, over different sites, climate and soil conditions and the productivity can be limited by low soils fertility or a inappropriate fertilization management. This study aimed to identify nutritional limitation, evaluate the effect of the soil, climate and silviculture characteristics on fertilization response and determine the attainable productivity in Eucalyptus plantations widespread around 52,700 ha in different regions through growth estimates to determine the fertilization response (FR) to each pair of plots. Experimental blocks were distributed in three different regions (fig. 1), from north to the south, increase the clay content, organic matter and rainfall and decrease the temperature and drought. To each block has determined the climate and soil characteristics. In additional, leaf area index (LAI) was estimated by hemispherical photos. Figure 2. Twin (PG-G) and inventory plots (PG-T) volume at study establishment, 2003. . Figure 1. Studied Eucalyptus plantations. Distributed along the state of São Paulo, Brazil. of São Paulo state, Brazil. Methods The Twin Plot design was used in 161 plots which receive additional fertilizations. These plots account stands of 2 to 4 years old, seedling or clonal plantations and establishment or coppice forests. The plots were paired and the initial volume was estimated (fig. 2), and compared for 2.5 years with traditional inventory plots which receive the usual fertilization management and Figure 3. Current annual increment (CAI), 2.5 years of evaluation. 53 to the fertilizations management, while the northern region was the least responsive, which was a good correlation with the climate data, rainfall and water deficit (table 1). Also was observed the same FR to coppice or established plantations. Beyond the increment on wood productivity, the treatment with extra fertilizations also increased the leaf area index (LAI) and the light use efficiency (Fig. 4). The contents of organic matter, clay, sand and sum of bases was the soil characteristics more correlated to the FR, at the studied forest. Beyond the difference between the regions, FR was different for soil type, texture, and genetic materials. The each local analysis presented good correlations between FR and some soil characteristics: sand, silt, clay, sum of bases, Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K) and Phosphorous (P) contents. Conclusions Figure 4. Comparison of LAI (A) and LUE (B) between the treatments. Both were 15% upper in extra fertilized treatment (PG – G). Results The results showed a growth on twin plots greater than traditional plots (fig. 3) an attainable productivity of 22 Mg.ha-1.yr-1, 11% upper than the actual. Also showed a capacity to reach 28 Mg.ha-1.yr1, at the south of state, more productivity local (Region 3). The average FR was 5.3 Mg.ha-1.yr1). The south region also was the most responsive The twin plot approach was effective to determine the attainable productivity, FR and showed an opportunity to improve the fertilization management at studied plantations. Increased productivity is made by increasing the light absorption (LAI) and efficiency of its use (LUE). The water availability was inversely proportional to FR, and determine the difference between regions, in additional the soil nutrients were more correlated to FR in the regional overview, when the climate characteristics no differ. The coppice and established plantations has the same potential to response the fertilization. References STAPE, J.L.; BINKLEY, D.; JACOB, W.S.; TAKAHASHI, E.N. A twin-plot approach to determine nutrient limitation and potential productivity in Eucalyptus plantations as Table 1: Pearson correlation coefficients – Soil and climate characteristics. landscapes scales in Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 223: 358-362, 2006. ** signiificant (P= 0,05); * siginificant (P= 0,01); ns = not significant. 54 Zoning the productivity of Eucalyptus forest plantation in the northeastern of São Paulo state in Brazil Cristiane C.Z. de Lemos, Jose L. Stape Study objective In a competitive wood market for land with other cultures, zoning the productivity can help the forest managers to make their decision about land use, based on technical information of forest productivity. In addition, the correct forest location on climate condition, possibility to ensure the wood production and to decrease the need for land, resulting in a reduce of pressure on native forest deforestation. The objective of this study was to zone the actual productivity of Eucalyptus forest plantation in the northeastern of São Paulo state and to determine constraints for forest growth. precipitation (Alvares et al., 2012a) and maximum and minimum temperature estimation (Alvares et al., 2012b) and a pedological map (Oliveira et al., 1999). The solar radiation and numbers of frost day were calculated using empirical equations (Pereira, Angelloci and Sentelhas, 2002; Alvares, 2011). The 3-PG input parameters were calibrated and validated per type of soil, using 113 pairs of twinplots spread over the study area. Methods -Site Description The study was developed in the northeastern of São Paulo State in Brazil (figure 1), localizated between 23º 3’S to 18º 58’S and 48º 38’W a 46º 21’W coordinates, totalizing around 5 million of hectares. The weather condition is Aw, Cwa and Cwb (Köppen). The predominate soils are Quartzpsament, red yellow sandy Oxisol, and red clayey Oxisol. Figure 2. Eucalyptus plantation in Brazil . Validation of the estimated productivity To validate the model, were compared the mean annual increment at 7 years (MAI 7) estimated by 3-PG with the projeted production from 1.884 commercial inventory plot by Clustter equations (forest with 5 to 8 years, figure 2), corresponding around 58,000 ha. Because our map resolution was 400 ha we compared the forest productivity by stand using the average weight. Figure 1. Study area (brown) in the northeastern of São Paulo State in Brazil. Estimation of Eucalyptus plantation productivity The estimative of productivity was obtained using 3-PG model modified by soil water content associated with ArcGIS tools to spatialize the analyses. For this purpose, we used maps of Estimation of Eucalyptus plantation productivity The 3-PG modifiers: temperature (ft), frost (ffrost), soil water content (fѲ),vapor pressure deficit (fvpd) e soil fertilization (FR) were used to determine the growth constraints. We randomly selected 10% of our study area to evalute those modifiers along the Eucalyptus rotation (7 years). 55 Figure 3. Maps of northeastern of São Paulo State in Brazil - A) Eucalyptus productivity: mean annual increment at 7 years (m3 ha-1 year-1). B) Leaf area index at 7 years (m2 leaf m-2 of soil). Results Figure 3 shows us the Eucalyptus productivity and leaf area índex along the northeastern of São Paulo. The average of all validated area was similar between the 3-PG estimation and the inventory projection, 42 m3 ha-1 year-1. However, the comparison of the IMA7 between measured and predicted, stratified by soil type and farm (figure 4), we found high data productive areas are located at south. The main growth constraints were vapor pressure deficit and soil water content. Conclusion The spacial 3-PG model was able to estimate the forest productivity on northeast of São Paulo state, and different production based on the type of soil. Figure 4. Relationship between mean anual increment (MAI, 7 years) projected using inventory data and mean anual increment at 7 years estimated using 3-PG model per type of soil (Quartzpzament, Red yellow sandy soil and red clayey oxisol), average per farm. dispersion, probably because of the average climatic data used as model input, the soil type detailing reflecting the soil water content, the genetic material adaptation and silviculture management, or the interaction of those factors. The results suggested that increasing the analytical scale reduces the precision of the estimatives. It was possible to make the zoning of the real productivity of Eucalyptus in the northeastern state of São Paulo. The most Acknowledgment This research was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, 07/57896-5), the University of São Paulo and International Paper company. Clayton Alvares helped us on maps issues. We thank them for their support. 56 Crown architecture, leaf angle distribution, light extinction coefficient and light interception in Eucalyptus clones Eduardo Moré de Mattos, José Luiz Stape Study Objectives The process of converting light energy from the sun into wood starts with the interception and absorption of PAR radiation by the canopy (APAR). On the other hand, interception of radiant energy by the canopy depends on factors related to the structure and spatial arrangement of the crowns, distribution of leaf angles, foliage amount and optical characteristics of the leaves. There are several models describing the paths of the radiation through the canopy. However, simplified models that assume the canopy as a homogeneous medium ("Big Leaf") has been successfully employed to quantify APAR. Based on Beer’s law, we only need to determine two variables, one related to the amount of foliage, the leaf area index (LAI) and the light extinction coefficient (k), which simplifies the parameters associated with other characteristics mentioned above. Our goal is to characterize crown structure and investigate how it can affect light absorption. Site description This is study is being conduced at the same area mentioned in the 2-page report entitled “Patterns of seasonal stem growth of 18 different Eucalyptus clones” published in this edition. Methods Throughout the experiment we have monitored LAI with a LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer on a monthly basis and complemented the information with periodic PAR readings above and below the canopy with the LP80 Ceptometer. 20 measurements per plot were performed with the LAI-2000 and 24 readings (6 points, 4 positions per point) for the LP80. Destructive sampling was performed in April-May 2014 where 3 to 6 trees were cut down per clone. Crown was divided in 3 thirds proportional to its length. We took 30 leaf angles measurements randomly per third. All the leaves were removed and weighted, 15 fresh leaves per third were collected to determine specific leaf area, and samples were also taken in order to determine dry weight. Results - LAI Figure 1 shows the LAI variation in the period. The selected clones spanned a large range of LAI values, from 1.5 to 5.5 m2 m-2. It reinforces the opportunity with this study to test light interception across the possible LAI values attained by Eucalyptus plantations. The estimates obtained by the LP80 were fairly correlated to the estimates by the LAI-2000(fig 2) Figure 1 : Leaf area index (LAI-2000) variation observed through the study period, from 16 to 32 months of age. 57 Figure 4: Relationship between mean inclination angle and k. Line is a smooth trend and r is the Pearson’s correlation Figure 2 : Agreement of the LAI estimates by the LP80 Ceptometer and the LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer. Bars represent the mean standard error. However, LAI estimates via destructive sampling were considerably greater than LAI from equipments (fig. 3). We observed a trend in reducing k with increasing leaf angle inclination. Figure 5 shows the variation of leaf angle distributions within the crown. Leaf angle tends to increase with increasing crown height, this endorses the fact that k changes within the crown and this may be taken into account when modeling light interception. Figure 3: Examples of two clones with different LAI estimates by the 3 methods used. Destructive sampling led to higher values. More investigation is needed, but our understanding rely on the fact that clones stacked more leaves into their crowns, which does not necessarily contributed to light interception. It reinforces the attention necessary to what methods to be used when setting up trials and tests and what is the information required, sometimes PAR values itself are the most valuable information. Results - Light extinction coefficient (k) Inverting beer’s law equation in conjunction with the destructive LAI estimates and LP80 above and below readings, assuming constant k through the canopy, we could calculate the so called light extinction coefficient, which ranged from 0.25 to 0.6 (fig. 4). Figure 5: Leaf angle distributions for the clones under study and differences observed at the upper (blue), mid (green) and lower crown (red). Acknowledgment We thank the TECHS project and all its associated companies in special Duratex that hosts the experiment. We also thank CAPES for the scholarship and the Forestry Science and Research Institute for field support. 58 Patterns of seasonal stem growth of 18 different Eucalyptus clones Eduardo Moré de Mattos, José Luiz Stape Introduction The advances of the silviculture practices and genetic materials (basically cloning) has led the plantations in Brazil to a significant increase in productivity. However, can we keep this increase? Or can we sustain this productivity rates? In order to answer some of these questions we have to understand how and why patterns of growth may differ from one region to another but also how clones interact with in-site weather variability as climate changes and extreme events are becoming more frequent. Study Objectives To better understand the factors regulating productivity and how growth is subject to soil and weather conditions we have recorded dbh every 15 days. Our goals are to: 1.Characterize the patterns of growth of 18 different genotypes (clones) of Eucalyptus, representative of the variability range found in genetic materials current in use for commercial plantation in Brazil. Experimental design – Methods The experimental plots consists of 120 trees on a 3x3 m spacing, where 40 trees are reserved for destructive sampling, giving a 720 m² plot(8 rows by 10 trees) (fig. 1). The 18 clones were classified into plastic ones (4), tropicals (7) and subtropicals (7) according to the region where it is being planted and prior knowledge about field behavior. Every fifteen days 8 representative trees are selected per plot and their DBH is recorded. Climate information is provide by public weather stations from the Brazilian national institute of meteorology which records hourly, radiation, rainfall, air temperature, wind speed, and air relative humidity data. Destructive sample was conduced trough April-May 2014 at peak Leaf area Index. A total of 93 trees were cut down and measured in order to build allometric equations. All DBH, heights, and height to the live crown are measured each 5-6 months. 2.Identify how clones respond to weather conditions after canopy closure (maximum growth rates). 3.Develop clone specific models capable to predict how meteorological variables weights on growth response. Site Description This study is supported by TECHS project (Tolerance of Eucalyptus clones to hydric and thermal stresses, www.ipef.br/techs), a research association led by the Forest Science and Research Institute (IPEF, www.ipef.br). The experiment was planted in 2011, December 31st and now has 33 months old. It is located in Buri (23°47’57”S and 48°35’15”W ), south region of the São Paulo state, Brazil (fig 2), on a land held by Duratex company. The climate is classified as Cfa, according to Koppen classification with 1200 mm of average annual rainfall and 20.5 °C of mean annual temperature, the soil is a red clayey Oxisol (50% clay). Figure 1 : Experimental design and site location. Only one plot of each clone at the 3 X 3 spacing is being accessed for the purposes of this study. 59 Results The most and least productive clones grew 65,4 and 22,5 m³ ha-1 year-1, respectively. Growth rates increased in the summer in response to increase in radiation and air temperature, ranging from 0 to 0,44 cm2 tree-1 day-1 (fig. 3). Among all clones the average growth rates was 0.21 cm2 tree-1 day-1, but clones showed great differences in how sensitive is growth, the variation coefficient for growth rates ranged from 25% to 51%. Rainfall is well distributed across the year, but in late February around 26 months of age, growth had ceased for most clones. An interval of 18 days without any rain associated to high temperatures and low air humidity led vapor pressure deficit to reach 2.3 kPa (fig. 2) on a daily basis (including night period). Besides the soil storage had reached low values (data not shown) in other periods, but trees only stopped to grow when the atmospheric demand was aggressive. Figure 2: Experimental layout and location. Figure 2 : Daily rainfall (bars), mean temperature and vapor preassure deficit (lines) observed at the meteorological station. Next Steps Data collection has finished, completing 18 months of monitoring and now we will proceed to statistical analyses. The data showed here is subject to validation and refinement. The clonespecific allometric models still need to be incorporated into the computations, as well as others approaches shall be used. Figure 3 : Average sectional area increment for the 3 types of clones: plastics (top), tropicals (middle) and subtropicals (bottom). Acknowledgment We thank the TECHS project and all its associated companies in special Duratex that hosts the experiment. We also thank CAPES for the scholarship and the Forestry Science and Research Institute for field support. 60 Leaf anatomical characterization of 16 highly productive Eucalyptus genotypes from Brazil Raoni I. Nogueira, Tatiane M. Rodrigues, Jose L. Stape Justification Several studies on uptake and use efficiency of water and light have been conducted looking for their relations with adaptation and productivity, however, leaf anatomy and its relation with plant ecophysiology are still little explored. In EUCFLUX project studies on carbon, water, energy and nutrients cycles are conducted at various scales and for 16 highly productive and contrasting, in terms of regions of origin, genotypes. Having such information available, to characterize this collection of contrasting genotypes in terms of leaf anatomy, proved to be an unique possibility, given the detailed information that has been collected on the development of clones, to further investigate whether there is some kind of relationship between anatomy and ecophysiology of those that can be observed. embedded in methacrylate resin, then cross sections of the material were made with a rotation microtome. Cross sections were colored with Toluidine Blue coloring. Measurement and quantification of cell layers were obtained from light microscopy images. Results Most of the genotypes have presented stomata only on the abaxial leaf surface. Only two clones were amphistomatic. Figure 1. Amphistomatic Clone adaxial leaf surface impression. Treatments and experimental design The Eucflux Project has 16 treatments, each one being a single genotype, to be known, 2 seed origin E. grandis and 14 hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis, E. urophylla, E. camaldulensis and E. saligna. These genotypes are commercially planted by several companies in Brazil each one having a unique site specificity. For this Project they’ve been planted together in Itatinga city, São Paulo state in November 2009. Considering their sites specifications, all of them have phenotypic characteristics inherent to the sites to which they were genetically improved. Methodology Mature, undamaged leaves were collected from each treatment and taken for analysis. For stomata studies 3 leaves had an adhesive applied in both, adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces providing leaf surface impressions. Stomata were quantified and measured at 200 x magnification. For leaf anatomy 3 other leaves were dehydrated in crescent ethanol series, Figure 2. Amphistomatic Clone abaxial leaf surface impression. 61 Table 1. Leaf Area Index and stomata area. Contrasts Unit Adaxial cuticle lenght Abaxial cuticle lenght Adaxial epidermis lenght Abaxial epidermis lenght Palisade parenchyma lenght Spongy parenchyma lenght Intercelular air spaces Vascular bundle density Secretory cavities density Abaxial stomata density Individual abaxial stomata size Stomata area on adaxial leaf surface Stomata area on abaxial leaf surface μm μm μm μm μm μm % # mm-² # mm-² # mm-² μm² % % For mesophyll characterization, 15 genotypes have one layer of palisade parenchyma and 5 or 6 layers of spongy mesophyll. One genotype, differered completely from the others, having a homogeneous mesophyll with 6 layers of palisade parenchyma. Data from other studies of the Eucflux project, three contrasting pairs have been compared, regarding productivity (least and most productive), origin (seed and most productive clone) and light use efficiency (lowest and highest). No contrasts in leaf anatomy were observed between the productivity and origin pairs. Light use efficiency (LUE) genotypes were clearly different. As seen in figures 3 and 4 the clone with the highest LUE is the only one that: is amphistomatic and has a homogeneous mesophyll, having only palisade parenchyma. Origin Seed Clone 8 7 16 13 73 153 53 10 5 384 207 0 8 6 7 16 13 78 165 61 11 5 362 171 0 6 Productivity Lowest Highest 8 6 17 14 72 178 54 11 5 308 226 0 7 6 7 16 13 78 165 61 11 5 362 171 0 6 LUE Lowest Highest 6 6 16 13 66 158 49 11 4 375 145 0 5 6 9 15 14 220 0 26 11 9 217 308 3 7 Figure 3. Leaf blade cross section of the clone with lowest LUE. Figure 4. Leaf blade cross section of the clone with highest LUE. Considerations Although being not possible to establish any cause-effect relation for the differences seen between the two most contrasting genotypes regarding LUE, this study suggests a needing for a best detailing of the effect of this anatomic distinctions on LUE by this Eucalyptus clone. Considering the possible relation between anatomy and physiological behaviors, and considering a genetic control on leaf anatomy, it would be possible to predict a system of early selection for plant breeding between genotypes with distinct leaf anatomies, identifying in the hybridized progeny the plants that have inherited the desired anatomy. Additional resources Evans, J.R. and Vogelmann, 2006. The New Phyt., 171, 771-782. Tholen, D. et al., 2012. Pl. Science., 197, 92-101. 62 Physiology of tropical Eucalyptus clones under water stress Marina S. G. Otto, Ricardo F. de Oliveira, Beatriz T. Gonsalez; José L. Stape Study objective The experimental design is completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 8: 2 treatments and 8 clones, with 6 repetitions, totaling 96 experimental units. The goal of this study is to evaluate physiological parameters and accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in Eucalyptus under water stress. GABA is a four-carbon nonprotein amino acid that has been linked to stress, signaling and storage in plants. We studied two treatments: with and without water stress. Water stress began on November 12th when seedlings were around 3 to 4 meters tall. Water stress was imposed by non -irrigation of the plants and pots coverage to avoid rainfall. These water stress treatments were With the advancement of the global area planted with Eucalyptus to regions under water stress, it becomes necessary to increase our understanding about physiological processes triggered by the plants and to identify metabolite signaling of stress. Treatments and Experimental design Eight Eucalyptus clones from different origins were evaluated (Table 1) Table 1: Clones and origins Clone Hibrid Local COP1277 E. grandis x camaldulensis Bahia GG100 E.urophylla Minas Gerais SUZ2003 E. urophylla x tereticornis Maranhão E. urophylla VM04 E. urophylla VER361 CNB10 E. urophylla x grandis FIB6075 E. urophylla x grandis JAR2646 E. urophylla x grandis Minas Gerais Bahia Minas Gerais São Paulo Pará Seedlings were planted in 320 liters pots located in Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil in February 2013. Figure1: Eucalyptus planted in Piracicaba,SP with pot coverage to avoid rainfall. maintained for 2 cycles: 3 days (cycle 1) and 5 days (cycle 2), when water-stressed plants were rewatered during 15 days to recovering (Figure 1). 63 This signalization can results in physiology reactions, like stomatal control, Figure 2 Relation between stomatal conductance and vapour pressure deficit for Eucalyptus clones in water stress conditions. Clones from drought areas had more stomatal sensitivity (COP, VM and SUZ) than clones from wet areas (JAR and Figure 3: Relation between water potential and GABA concentration in Eucalyp- Table 1: Stomatal sensitivity of Eucalyptus clones during water stressed days W e Figure 4: GABA concentration during the first water stressed day in Eucalyptus Future plans GABA concentration GABA aminoacid had a high correlation with water potential, showing that this aminoacid is largely produced in response to water stress conditions (Figure 3). Besides during the first day of water stress, GABA concentration was higher for the clones from drought areas (COP, VM and SUZ), the same clones that had more stomatal sensitivity (Figure 4). This occurrence indicates We plan develop a new study with the same clones and on the same area inducing excess of water, which is planned for the next semester (January until July 2015). We will quantify how these clones respond a different stress, not without water but with excess of water. We will measure water potential, GABA concentration, leaf anatomic characteristics and gas exchange variables, with the supervision of Mike Ryan (Colorado State University). 64 Biomass evaluation of the Eucalyptus spp. plantations established in Bocaiúva, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Maria C. Arrevillaga L.; J.L. Stape Justification The Brazil Eucalyptus Potential Productivity (BEPP) Project was designed to evaluate the interaction between wood production and the use of natural resources, identifying the influence of water and nutrients on Eucalyptus spp. plantations established across a geographic range of sites and clones in Brazil (Stape et al. 2010). The BEPP project was developed as a consortium of eight companies, the USDA Forest Service, the Forest Science and Research Institute (IPEF) in Brazil, the University of Sao Paulo and Colorado State University. Each company installed the experiment testing irrigation levels and repeated fertilization at rates according to its own site index. Although the BEPP project started in 2001, the establishment of the experiment in Bocaiúva, State of Minas Gerais (MG), was initiated in 2005, continuing the assessments such as forest inventory and biomass evaluations until July 2014. Bocaiúva, MG, are highly influenced by the water availability. The precipitation rates in the area are approximately of 850 mm per year, concentrated in the summer season (Table 1). Table 1. Climate characteristics in Bocaiva, MG. Average annual PAR 3500 MJ.m.year Average precipitation 850 mm.year Potential evaporation 1220 mm.year Therefore there was an interest in evaluate the development of the plantation in conditions where the water income was even lower than the average precipitation rate, including an additional treatment beside the other ones established in the BEPP project: water reduction. Treatments and experimental design The BEPP experiment in Bocaiúva was established following a factorial design (3x2) evaluating two factors simultaneously, water availability: control, irrigated and reduced; and fertilization rates: control and potential fertilization. A total of 4 replicates were made according with the 4 commercial clones of the company (VM1, VM3, VM4 and MN463). Figure 1. Localization of Bocaiuva, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. BEPP Bocaiúva The Eucalyptus plantations established in In order to evaluate the biomass of every treatment, destructive sampling was made selecting 6 trees per plot. The selection of the trees was based on a forest inventory made previously. DBH of every treatment was rated in ascending order and selected trees representatives of the average. The block corresponding to the VM3 clone was not included in this evaluation because it presented wilt symptoms of Ceratocystis sp. 65 Measurements Measurements of height, DBH and tree crown was made for each tree assessed. Trees were felled in order to take samples of branches and wood discs at different heights (0 m, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of commercial height). Canopy was divided into three equal parts, collecting 30 leafs per part for specific leaf area Figure 2: MAI for reduced, rainfall and irrigated plots with 7 years old. index analysis. It was also evaluated the angle of insertion of the leafs . Results The irrigation increased 30% in the MAI for the Irrigated Rainfall Reduced Figure 2: MAI for reduced, rainfall and irrigated plots with 7 years old. plot that receive only water from the rain and 50% for the plots with reduction rain. Through the installation of dendrometers can monitor the effect of treatments monthly, Figure 3: Pictures of rainfall plot (above) and redudec plot (below). especially October. during the dry season April to Next Steps Relate growth variables with the leaf area index and light use efficiency in order to determinate the influence of the fertilization and water availability in the development of the eucalyptus plantations established in Bocaiúva, MG. Based on the results obtained by Stape et al. (2004) where the production increased by about 2.3 Mg ha–1 . yr–1 for each 100 mm increase in precipitation, it is expected to obtain a higher biomass in the irrigated treatment since the area has a low water availability; is also expected to observe an influence of the fertilizer treatment on the growth and carbon allocation of the forest. References 66 Effect of soil water availability on PAR capture by Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus camaldulesis hybrids Matías Pincheira 1,2 , Rafael Rubilar 1,2 Abstract The effect of contrasting soil water availability on photosynthetically active radiation capture within the crown of ten Eucalyptus globulus, nitens and camaldulensis hybrids was evaluated at 18 months of development. Light measurements with a Li-Cor 191 ceptometer were made every 25 cm from the base up to the top of the tree. A logistic model was adjusted to the rate of light capture (RLE) and relative crown height to maximum light capture (MLE). Our results suggest differences among genotypes, irrigated conditions and the interaction effect genotype x irrigation. Three genotypes groups under irrigation and four groups under no irrigation were identified with similar RLE and MLE . planting line of four ramets for 10 selected genotypes Eucalyptus sp. genotypes and hybrids (Table 1). Each group of genotypes was replicated three times at each irrigation level. Figure 1. Location map of study area. Introduction Little information exist on the crown architecture and light capture efficiency of Eucalyptus genotypes (Smethurst et al. 2003). This important characteristic reflects the plasticity of each genotype to the environment, and may be considered an additional variable to improve the traditional clonal selection criteria since is directly related to biomass productivity (Almeida et al. 2010, Binkley et al. 2010). Objectives To determine and compare the effect of soil water availability on light capture rates and maximum light capture along the canopy of Eucalyptus globules, nitens and camaldulensis genotypes and hybrids. Methods In the dry central valley of the Province of Biobío, Chile, a clonal trial was established under two contrasting water availability conditions (with and without irrigation) (Fig. 1). The experiment was established as a split plot block design with three replicates under each irrigation treatment. The experimental unit was a Table 1. Description of the genetic material evaluated. Measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were made with a Li-Cor 191 ceptometer, along of individual tree crowns in steps of 25 cm from the base up to the top of the tree at 18 months post-establishment. Light extinction along of the canopy was modeled using a logistic model [1], and differences among genotypes were evaluated by incorporating dummy variables on the parameters of a nonlinear regression considering genotypes and irrigation treatment. [1] Where, LEr : relative proportion of captured light (%); Hr : predictive variable (relative height (%)); a, b: parameters of light capture rate and crown length relative to maximum light extinction (x ≥ a, b> 0); e : exponential base. 67 Results Relative light capture (%) Differences in the rate of light relative capture (RLE) along of the canopy was significative between irrigated conditions for all geneotipes, exept in EcxEg. Relative crown length to maximum light capture (MLE) differed except in EgA2, EgB2 and EnxEc (Figs. 2 y 3). EgB2 and EnxEc (groups C and D, respectively). The genotypes EgA1, EgA2, EgM1, EgM2, EnxEg and EcxEg presented the maximum MLE (group A), followed by EgB1, EgB2, En and EnxEc (group B). Figure 3. Effect of soil water availability on light extinction model parameters (Model 1). (a) parameter of light capture rate, (b) parameter of relative crown length to maximum light capture. Conclusions Irrigated conditions increased Eucalyptus genotypes relative light capture along the crown. Responses were genotype specific and independent of the main species tested. Acknowledgments Figure 2. Relative light capture along the canopy of Eucalyptus genotypes. Closed dots (irrigated) Inversed triangles (without irrigation ). Under irrigation, genotypes EgA1, EgA2, EgM2, EgB1, EgB2, En, and EcxEg (group A) presented similar RLE and MLE, followed by EnxEc (group B), and EgM1 and EnxEg (group C). EgA1, EgA2, EnxEc and EcxEg (group A) presented the highest MLE, followed by EgM2, EgB1, EgB2 and En (group B), and EgM1 and EnxEg (group C). Without irrigation, genotype EcxEg presented the highest RLE (group A), followed by EgA1, EgA2, EgM1, EgM2, EgB1, En and EnxEg (group B), and To the Chilean National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development, FONDECYT 1085093. To the valuable and continuous support of Forestal Mininco S.A. to develop this research. Bibliography Almeida, A. Siggins, A. Batista, T. Beadle, C. 2010. Mapping the effect of spatial and temporal variation in climate and soils on Eucalyptus plantation production with 3-PG, a process-based growth model. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1730-1740. Binkley, D. Stape, J. Bauerle, W. Ryan, M. 2010. Explaining growth of individual trees: Light interception and efficiency of light use by Eucalyptus at four sites in Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1704-1713. Smethurst, P. Baillie, C. Cherry, M. Holz, G. 2003. Fertilizer effects on LAI and growth of four Eucalyptus nitens plantations. Forest Ecology and Management 176: 531–542. 68 Effect of water availability and temperature on leaf deployment in genotypes of Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus camaldulensis hybrids Matías Pincheira 1,2,3* , Rafael Rubilar 1,2 , Jorge Cancino 2 , Manuel Acevedo 1,2,3 1 Forest Productivity Cooperative, 2 Universidad de Concepción - Fac. Cs. Forestales, Chile. 3Instituto Forestal de Chile. * Abstract The effect of contrasting water availability conditions was evaluated in ten genotypes of Eucalyptus sp. on leaf area growth fortnightly. Non-destructive leaf measurements were made every two weeks during the first growing season, and the effect of soil moisture and temperature on foliar increment were identified as boundary conditions of maximum leaf area growth rates. Under irrigation two optimal growing conditions were identified where without irrigation only one condition was observed. The amplitude of maximum range of foliar growth for genotypes of E. globulus was directly related its cummulative volume growth. E. nitens hybrids showed a greater amplitude of growth conditions. The experiment was established as a split plot block design with three replicates under each Figure 1. Location map of study area. irrigation treatment. The experimental unit considered a line of four ramets for 10 selected genotypes of Eucalyptus genotypes (Table 1) replicated three times for each irriigation level. Table 1. Description of the genetic material evaluated. Introduction In species of the genus Eucalyptus analysis of the dynamics and evolution of leaf growth is a topic not completely well understood (Smethurst et al. 2003). Plasticity of genotypes to the environment may determine common strategies to capture light but more importantly understanding these mechanisms may improve traditional clonal selection criteria (Almeida et al. 2010, Binkley et al. 2010). Objectives To determine the effect of soil water availability and temperature on leaf area growth in Eucalyptus genotypes. Methods In the dry central valley of the Province of Bio Bio, Chile, a clonal trial was established under two contrasting water availability conditions (with and without irrigation) (Fig. 1). Two branches (a row and inter-row branch) were selected from one plant from each experimental unit. on these non-destructive measurements of leaf area accumulated increases (AF) were made every during the first growing season. The absolute increases fortnightly branch leaf area were categorized into deciles and defined the conditions of soil moisture (%, from 0 to 30 cm of depth) and average temperature (° C, fortnightly) limits expression of max growth rates. We considered two levels of analysis, i. by condition, and ii. per genotype and condition. 69 Results Significant differences in the magnitude of máximum leaf área growth rates were observed between irrigated and no irrigated conditions (Fig. 2). Fig 2. Effect of soil moisture content and fortnightly average temperature on the average increase leaf area branch during the fisrt growing season generally for all genotypes. Colors showing foliar increases deciles (cm2/fortnightly). Under irrigation, despite the narrower range of moisture, two optimal boundaries of soil moisture and temperature were observed for maximum expression of leaf area growth rates. The first, at a rate of 30% soil moisture and 21.5 °C, and the second at a rate of 26% humidity and 25.5 °C (Figure 2). Under no irrigation only one optimum area was observed for peak growth rates. However, this was a broader response surface (12-24% moisture and 18.5-25 °C) showing that the magnitude of the highest growth rate decile under no irrigation was significantly lower than the first decile under irrigation (fig. 2). Similar patterns of soil moisture conditions and high temperatures effects on leaf growth rates were observed for E. globulus genotypes but also for E. nitens x E. camaldulensis and E.camaldulensis x E. globulus genotypes. The greater range of humidity and temperature of growth was observed on E.nitens x E. globulus, E. nitens and E.nitens x E. camaldulensis genotypes. However, these genotypes also showed less amplitude for optimal growth (top decile) under irrigation (fig. 3). Fig. 3. Range of soil moisture and average temperature of expression the maximum foliar growth rates fortnightly (top decile) by genotype and hydric availability condition. Colors indicate representative genotypes. Conclusions Leaf area growth rates of Eucalytpus genotypes respond positively to favorable conditions of water availability at this Mediterranean climate site. However, genotype peak growth rates differ between irrigated and no irrigated conditions suggesting as expected larger soil water control at no-irrigated conditions, but more atmospheric demand influence at irrigated conditions. Acknowledgments Funding for this study was granted by the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development, Project FONDECYT 1085093. Also we would like to acknowledge the valuable support of Forestal Mininco S.A., and Conicyt Scholarship for Master's Studies in Chile of Pincheira, M. Bibliography Almeida, A. Siggins, A. Batista, T. Beadle, C. 2010. Mapping the effect of spatial and temporal variation in climate and soils on Eucalyptus plantation production with 3-PG, a process-based growth model. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 1730-1740. 70 The effect of contrasting water availability conditions on water use efficiency during early development of Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens genotypes and Eucalyptus camaldulensis hybrids in central Chile. Manuel Acevedo 1,2,3 *, Rafael Rubilar 1,2, Matías Pincehira 1,2,4,Veronica Emahrt 4 y Oscar Mardones 4 1 Forest Productivity Cooperative, 2 Universidad de Concepción - Fac. Cs. Forestales, Chile. 3Instituto Forestal de Chile. 4 Forestal Mininco. *maacevedo@udec.cl - macevedo@infor.cl ABSTRACT METHODS The effect of spring-summer irrigated and no irrigated conditions were evaluated on water use efficiency in E. globulus, E. nitens genotypes and E. camaldulensis hybrids during early development (3-4 years old). Main results indicate that monthly water consumption is not significantly different among genotypes. However, at species level, irrigation induced a 33% and 28% increase in water use efficiency (WUE) in E. globulus and E. nitens, respectively, while WUE in E. camaldulensis was 33% lower. In the south central valley of the Province of Bio Bio, Chile, a clonal trial was established under two contrasting water availability conditions (with and without irrigation spring-summer irrigation). The experiment was established as a split plot block design with three replicates under each irrigation treatment. The experimental unit considered a line of four ramets for 10 selected Eucalyptus genotypes (Table 1) . Table 1. Description of the genetic material evaluated. INTRODUCTION Even though the amount of water used by Eucalyptus plantations is an important ecological and social subject around the world, the WUE of these forest is also very important, because wood production is a result from both efficiency and water consumption (Stape et al. 2004; Binkley et al. 2004). Under the current scenario of climate change, where an increase in temperatures and a decrease in precipitation is expected in many areas of the world (Howe et al. 2005), it is very important that the identification of genotypes or clones that are capable of maintain higher growth rates associated to lower water consumption values is recognized (Dye, 2013; Albaugh et al. 2013) OBJECTIVE Assess the effect of contrasting water availability induced via spring-summer irrigation on E. globulus, E. nitens and E. camaldulensis hybrids water use efficiency during early development. Sap flow density was monitored using the method of constant heat proposed by Granier (1985, 1987). Thermal dissipation probes were installed in 60 trees (10 genotypes x 3 ramets x 2 watering conditions). The evaluation period was between October 2010 and July 2011 (304 days). Monthly height and diameter growth at 10 cm from the ground was measured and used to calculate estimate individual volume index. Water use efficiency (WUE) was determined as the slope of the lineal relationship between monthly volumetric index vs. water consumption during the measurement period. 71 (a) (b) (c) volumetric increment at individual tree level was observed under both irrigation conditions for E. globulus (egh1, egm1, egm2 y egl1), E. nitens (en y enxeg) and E. camaldulensis (enxec y egxec). For E. globulus (Fig. 1a) WUE for no irrigated conditions (rainfeed) was 0.0225 (R2=0.84) and for irrigated 0.0299 m3m-3 (R2=0.90). Irrigation significantly increased (P < 0.01) WUE in 0.0074 m3m-3 which represents a 33% increment. For E. nitens (Fig. 1 b) WUE reached 0.0348 for no irrigated (R2=0.93) and 0.0444 m3m-3 for irrigated conditions (R2=0.97) for rainfed and irrigated conditions. Irrigation for E. nitens also increased significantly WUE (P < 0.01) in 0.0096 m3m-3 which represents a 28% improvement. Contrastingly, WUE for E. camaldulensis genotypes (Fig. 1 c) reached a value of 0.0185 (R2=0.94) for no irrigated (rainfeed) trees and a value of 0.0128 (R2=0.87) m3m-3 for irrigated conditions. In this case, irrigation significantly decreased WUE of E. camaldulensis (P < 0.01) in 0.0057 m3m-3, which corresponds to a 31% decrease. This result is very interesting considering that all species showed larger growth at irrigated conditions, and based on how usually these species are selected for dry environments a general understanding indicates that from higher to lower resistance to drought these species should rank E. camaldulensis > E.globulus > E.nitens. CONCLUSIONS Fig 1. Linear relationship between water consumption (m3 tree-1 month-1) and volumetric increment (m3 of wood tree-1 month-1) at individual level of E. globulus (a); E. nitens (b) and E. camaldulensis genotypes by irrigation treatments. RMSE, root means square error; R2, determination coefficient. **; Significant for P<0.01; *** P<0.001. RESULTS At this early stage of development, E. nitens showed the highest WUE from all evaluted species at this site, and in E. globulus showed a higher WUE than E. camaldulensis. A highly significant linear relationship (P < 0.001) between monthly water consumption and WUE assessed through individual volume depends on the species, indicating the E. nitens is more efficient than E. globulus, and these in turn are more efficient than E. camaldulensis. Evaluation of WUE under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions showed that E. globulus and E. nitens was positively affected by irrigation. Contrastingly, E. camaldulensis showed a decrease in WUE at irrigated conditions. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors of this research would like to acknowledge the support of CONICYT graduate scholarship, FONDECYT Project Nº 1085093, Forestal Mininco Company SA., the Forest Productivity Cooperative, the Soil, Nutrition and Forest Productivity Laboratory at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at Universidad de Concepción, 72 Physiological response of Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens and selected E. hibrids to water stress María Silva F. 12 , Rafael Rubilar P. 12 , Juan Espinosa 1 12 Forest Science School, Universidad de Concepción, Chile. Introduction Eucalyptus plantations have expanded around the world given the diversity of species and environments in which they may be grow. According to the National Forestry Institute (INFOR 2013) in Chile, the area of Eucalyptus plantations reaches over 700 thousand hectares, corresponding to 32% of the total area of planted forests in the country. The main planted species planted are Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens. During the last decade genetic improvements have focused on increasing productivity and adaptation for increasing limiting resources for growth. Over the last years hybrids of these two species have been also found to reach high growth rates with desired wood quality and better performance under water deficit. However, evaluation of the physiological behavior that leads to water use and growth under stress of more productive genotypes has not been considered, and studies are needed that include these variables under conditions of water deficit. A key parameter of interest in evaluating the response of genotypes under these conditions is the efficient use of water, which may be explored at early stages of development by evaluating leaf level gas exchange measurements considering transpiration (loss of water by plants) and photosynthesis (CO2). Thus, the efficient use of water, especially the transpiration efficiency may be determined as the assimilation of CO2/ respiration (A / E, mol CO2 / mol H2O). Objective To compare Eucalyptus globulus, E. nitens and E.globulus x nitens genotypes instantaneous gas exchange variables response to progressive water deficit. Methodology Ten Eucalyptus genotypes including Eucalyptus globulus, E. nitens and E. globulus x E. nitens hybrids (Table 1) were grown on 110 cm3 containers on composted pine bark substrate at the nursery of Forestal Mininco S.A. After four months of development, 36 plants of each genotype were selected considering similar morphological features (height, root collar diameter & number of leaves) y lack of any damage. Plants were grown at the nursery of the Faculty of Forest Sciences at Universidad de Concepción. Plats were replanted and acclimated on foam containers of 0,033 m3. Table 1.– Genotypes included in the study Especie N° Genotipos Códigos Eucalyptus globulus 6 Eg1, Eg2, Eg3, Eg4, Eg5, Eg6 Eucalyptus nitens 2 En1, En2 E. globulus x nitens 2 Eng1, Eng2 Three replicates of 12 plantas were treated as an experimental unit. Plants were fertilized and irrigation to maintain substrate to field capacity conditions for two weeks before trial measurements started. After the acclimation period treatments were established considering a: Control treatment (C) where substrate was maintained at as close as possible to field capacity and a Progressive Irrigation Reduction (S) treatment were plants were allowed to dry until a final key –3.0 MPa drop in soil water water potential. Containers were evaluated daily on soil water content between 2 y 4 pm by TDR. Soil water content was evaluated in order to check critical points of plant assessment at 0 to -0,3 MPa, -1,5 MPa and –3,0 Mpa for gas echange detailed measurements. Gas exchange measurements considering photosynthesis (A) and Transpiration (E) were obtained using a LICOR 6400 XTR equipment with CO2 control. Water use efficiency was calculated as A/E (μmol CO2 mol-1 H2O) 73 Results Progressive water stress reduced stomatal conductance in all studies genotypes (Figure 1), this may influence on photosynthesis rates and genotypes yield. Stomatal conductance and photosynthesis parameters suggest that stomatal conductance may play a role as a key variable predicting plant water stress response to soil water reduction (Figure 2). Instantaneous water use efficiency showed a negative non-linear relationship with leaf stomatal conductance. This directly affected reductions in rates of transpiration under imposed water stress conditions (Figure 3). Better adapted genotypes under these conditions will show less variation to these parameters showing regular (les change) rates of photosynthesis and will reduce transpiration rates by better regulation of leaf stomatal control. However, it may be taken into account that reduced photosynthesis and transpiration rates will affect growth affecting genotype performance. Figure 2. Relation between photosynthetic rate (A: μmol CO2 m-2 s-1)and stomatal conductance (mol H2O m-2 s-1) on 10 genotypes of Eucalyptus sp under progressive water stress treatment (S) Future Steps A more detailed analyses will be performed considering genetic interactions to establish species relationships between gas exchange parameters, growth rates under stress and biomass accumulations, and determine genotypes better or with more potential adapted to growth and rank in water use efficiency. Figure 3. Relation between water use efficiency (A/E: μmol CO2 mol-1 H2O) and stomatal conductance (mol H2O m-2 s-1) on 10 genotypes of Eucalyptus sp under progressive water stress treatment (S) Acknowledgements Funding support for this research was provided by FONDEF D 11I1161: EUCAHYDRO. Project Logistic and infrastructure support was provided by Laboratorio de Suelos, Nutrición y Productividad Forestal de la Facultad de Ciencias Forestales de la Universidad de Concepción. Figure 1. Variation of the stomatal conductance (mol H2O m-2 s-1) per genotype under progressive water stress treatment (S) 74 Populus Special Study - Identifying cottonwood and hybrid poplar clones with the highest productivity on two sites in the SE US. Nathan Thomas, JL Stape, Steve Kelley Background The genus Populus contains one of the fastest growing tree species in temperate climates. Eight species of Populus are native to the United States with many regions of natural hybridization. Currently, in the United States, poplar plantations are located in the Pacific Northwest, Mississippi Alluvial Valley, and the Northeast. However, now there is an increased interest in Populus across the SE US, because of the effect that renewable energy goals have created by increasing the demand for woody biomass. New Populus clones are being investigated on sites across the SE US for their productivity and disease resistance. This study will examine 52 clones of cottonwood and hybrid poplar planted on two sites, North Carolina and Mississippi. Figure 2. Fertilizer application. Study Objectives 1. To identify poplar clones with the highest growth, and quantify their productivity. Experimental Design 2. To estimate Light Use Efficiency, Water Use Efficiency and Nutrient Use Efficiency for the most productive clones. The Raleigh site design is composed of 8 reps, with 52 clones per rep, and each rep randomized. 3. To evaluate any G x E interaction; The Columbus site design has 10 reps, with 52 clones per rep, and each rep randomized. Materials and Sampling The site in Columbus, MS, and Raleigh, NC, were both planted in March, 2014 with genetically identical unrooted cuttings. The 52 clones are comprised of 47 Populus deltoides, 4 Populus trichocarpa x deltoides, and 1 Populus deltoides x maximowiczii. Figure 1. Location of Field sites in Raleigh, NC, and Columbus, MS. Measurements will be taken for two growing seasons, in Fall 2014 and Fall 2015. 75 The objective of these measurements is to calculate the volume of hybrid poplar and its disease resistance. Volume will be calculated by measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of each individual tree. Also, the diameter at root collar (DRC) will be measured, since not all trees have developed a DBH by the first measurement period. Disease will be determined by assessing the canopy health. The trees will be given a numerical value of 1 through 4 depending on the severity of damage. Preliminary Results Average height for the top 15 clones in Raleigh, Columbus Raleigh Figure 4. Clone 7388 in Raleigh and Columbus. Both trees are over 4.6 meters. the survival is 100% for the top 10 clones. In Columbus the average survival per clone is 90%. The difference in growth between clones is very obvious in the field, and can be seen in Table 1, Even in just the top 10 clones the difference in height and volume is significant. Figure 3. The 15 tallest clones at the Raleigh, site NC NC, can be seen in Figure 3. The average height is 3 meters with the best clone averaging 3.7 meters. The tallest clone (7388) at each site is shown in figure 4. Table 1, shows that In Raleigh Table 1. Summary measurements comparing the top 10 clones in Raleigh and Columbus. Clon Avg. Values (Raleigh) Clon e e Vol Ht (m) Surv. % In Table 1, 5 of the clones are in the top 10 on both sites, showing their adaptability across sites. Whereas some of the clones that were productive on one site, had very poor growth on the other site. Next Steps Measurements will be taken again following the 2015 growing season in order to calculate the growth and assess the resistance to disease. Avg. Values Vol Ht (m) Surv. % 7388 8019 2.51 2.46 3.76 3.64 100 90 185 229 1.93 1.68 2.64 2.64 100 100 230 2.32 3.55 100 230 1.61 2.68 100 140 339 2.23 2.20 3.06 3.07 100 100 348 187 1.52 1.50 2.18 2.34 100 90 185 116 2.19 2.14 3.18 2.82 100 100 7388 188 1.46 1.45 2.75 1.99 90 90 400 2.13 2.90 100 8019 1.40 2.22 100 7595 188 2.13 2.12 2.92 3.03 100 100 200 176 1.35 1.34 2.11 2.37 80 80 Acknowledgements This project has been realized by the support of the Forest Productivity Cooperative and its cooperators. The IBSS 76 Special Studies 78 Tolerance of Eucalyptus Clones to Hydric, Thermal and Biotic Stresses - TECHS Jose Luiz Stape, Dan Binkley, Otávio Campoe, Clayton Alvares Justification The two major environmental stressors for Eucalyptus plantations, both in traditional or new forest frontiers, are: i) water stress (especially in regions of the midwest, north, northeast and the southeast of Brazil), and ii) thermal stresses related to high temperatures (above 36oC) in tropical Brazil and low temperatures (below 5oC) in southern Brazil and Uruguay. The understanding of the ecophysiological processes driving different responses and levels of tolerance of Eucalyptus clones to drought and extreme temperatures provide tools to quantify the genotype-environment interactions, its effects on wood production and improved zoning of different clones across climatic regions. The Experimental Design The experimental design is a combination of genotype variation, water manipulation and planting spacing across a wide climatic range (Figure 1), providing a research platform to assess genotype-environment interactions. Experimental sites: The 36 TECHS sites were planted during 2012 across Brazil and Uruguay, and are divided in Tropical (above Capricorn line) and Subtropical (below Capricorn line). Genotypes: 18 different Eucalyptus clones, currently planted by companies, were selected from tropical and humid regions (n=3); tropical and dry regions (n=4); subtropical from cold regions (n=7), and intermediary and plastic (n=4). The clones are pure and hybrids of E. benthamii, E. camaldulensis, E. dunnii, E. globules, E. grandis, E. saligna, E. tereticornis, E. urophylla. Water manipulation: At least 4 genotypes at each site have one plot with regular rainfall, and paired plot with throughfall exclusion to reduce water reaching the soil to 70% of actual rainfall, by covering 30% of the soil surface (Figure 2). Thus, selected genotypes, at each site will be subject to two levels water availability. Figure 1. Distribution of the 36 experimental sites across Brazil and Uruguay. The color scale represents the ratio of historic annual potential evapotranspiration (ETPo) and annual precipitation (PPT). Scientific Questions The main scientific questions of the TECHS project concerns about the effect of environmental stresses (drought and thermal) on productivity of Eucalyptus plantations: i) How the productivity of different clones are affected by climate types ? ii) How different clones at different planting spacing respond to water stress ? Figure 2. Throughfall exclusion system covering 30% of the plot soil surface, installed across 2013. 79 iii) Which ecophysiological mechanisms allow some clones to tolerate or avoid water and thermal stresses? iv) How much of the clone behavior across sites is under genetic control (G x E) ? months, at the beginning and at the end of the dry period provide detailed information about productivity and its relation with canopy development (Figure 5). v) How the clones in different environments and under different stress levels, behave in terms of their susceptibility to pests and diseases (biotic stress)? Initial results Wood volume at two years after planting showed a wide range of clones productivity for tropical and subtropical sites and also among clones within each site (Figure 3). Ranking clones among sites show patterns of behavior denoting G x E interactions. Some clones show growth stability across sites, and some clones are highly responsive to the climatic gradient (Figure 4). Figure 4. Ranking of volume for tropical sites and clones. Clones with similar colors among sites are more stable, and Acknowledgements To the 26 companies of the IPEF-TECHS project for financial and technical support. For more information: www.ipef.br/techs Figure 5. Two contrasting clones side by side showing different canopy structure and development behavior. Figure 3. Distribution of volume for all sites (upper) and for all clones (lower) at 2 years after planting . Red dotted line represents the average Measurements of crown depth and LAI every six 80 Carbon fluxes on Eucalyptus plantations: genetic and climatic effects Otávio Campoe, Jose Luiz Stape, Dan Binkley, Mike Ryan Introduction Sites and Clones Selection Wood production is the ultimate goal for forestry companies and represents a significant but also variable fraction of gross primary production (GPP) in Eucalyptus plantations. The carbon (C) absorbed by photosynthesis is partitioned to different fluxes above- and belowground (Figure 1). Four of the 36 experimental sites of the TECHS project were selected comprising a wide range of climatic conditions, with cumulated annual rainfall ranging from 1000 to 1800 mm, cumulated annual water deficit from 0 to 700 mm and mean annual temperature from 18 to 28 oC (Figure 2). Despite the current understanding about carbon fluxes and partitioning, knowledge about the effects of climatic seasonality, genetic variation and their interaction is still limited. Better knowledge of fluxes and partitioning to woody and non-woody tissues in response climatic and genetic variations, focusing on mechanisms driving the C budget of these plantations, could provide opportunities to increase forest productivity. Figure 1. Diagram of carbon partitioning to above and below ground components. Adapted from Litton et al. 2007. The TECHS project (www.ipef.br/techs), a combination of genotype variation and water manipulation across a wide climatic range (Figure 2), provides a research platform to assess genotype-environment interactions over carbon fluxes and partitioning. Our study aim investigating how C fluxes and partitioning are affected by genotype variation, climatic seasonality and their interaction in different regions of Brazil. Figure 1. Location of the four carbon budget sites (large white circles) among the 36 TECHS´ experimental sites (small black circles) across Brazil and Uruguay. The color scale represents the ratio of historic annual potential evapotranspiration (ETPo) and annual precipitation (PPT). Five contrasting clones regarding productivity and root and canopy development from different genotypes (pure and hybrids of E. camaldulensis, E. grandis, E. saligna, E. tereticornis and E. urophylla) were selected for complete carbon budget assessment. The study started at 2 years and will be performed up to 4 years after planting, capturing carbon fluxes and partitioning at maximum current annual increment period of the rotation. 81 Figure 4. WNPP for clones (gray, average Figure 3. Monthly soil CO2 efflux (right) and Litterfall (left) for clones (top, average among sites) and for sites (green, average among clones). among sites) and for sites (bottom, average among clones) Methodology Assessments of annual aboveground net primary production (ANPP: stem, leaf, and branch production), total belowground C flux (TBCF: sum of root production and respiration and mycorrhizal production and respiration, eq. 2) and GPP (computed as the sum of ANPP, TBCF and estimated aboveground respiration) started 2 years after planting (October 2013) at four sites. The measurements will be performed for the next 2 years (until October 2015). The methodology applied was based on Giardina and Ryan (2002) and Ryan et al. (2010). Partial Results Carbon fluxes were more affected by climatic differences among sites than genetic differences among clones (Figure 3). The cumulated soil CO2 efflux for clones over the period ranged from 1405 (AEC 144) to 1493 g C m-2 year-1 (CNB 10), and cumulated litterfall ranged from 232 (CNB 10) 329 g C m-2 year-1 (SUZ MA2003). However, differences among sites were higher. The cumulated soil CO2 efflux for sites over the period ranged from 1159 (20-IPB) to 1901 g C m-2 year-1 (22-KLT), and cumulated litterfall ranged from 208 (20-IPB) 378 g C m-2 year-1(30-VMT). Wood production (WNPP, Figure 4) showed a gradient among clones (from 460 to 1090 g C m2 year-1) and sites (from 540 to 1112 g C m-2 year1). Conclusions Studies of C budget in forest plantations are required to improve our understanding of the processes driving wood production and carbon fixation, and develop our capability to understand forest responses to climatic and genetic interactions. Acknowledgements To the 26 companies of the IPEF-TECHS project for financial and technical support. For more information: www.ipef.br/techs References Giardina, C.P., Ryan, M.G., 2002. Ecosystems 5, 487–499. Ryan, M.G. et al. 2010. Forest Ecol. Manag. 259, 1695–1703. Litton, C.M. et al. 2007. Global Change Biol. 13 , 2089-2109 Figure 5. One of the TECHS clones showing different behaviors on each C budget site. Pictures show a gradient of water availability, from no water deficit on the left to intense water deficit on the right. 82 TECHS Climate: Eucalyptus Tolerance to the Hydric and Thermal Stresses Clayton A. Alvares, JL Stape, Otavio C. Campoe Justification Clonal plantations are the standard for fastgrowing Eucalyptus plantations, in both operational production areas, and in new afforested areas. Experience from past rotation provides a basis for estimating risks and benefits of silvicultural decisions, but expanding afforestation in new frontiers poses higher risks of production due to environmental stresses different from those where the clones were selected. Among the major environmental stresses to Eucalyptus, two stand out because of their association with the new forest frontiers, namely: i) water stress (especially in regions of the midwest, north, northeast and the southeast of Brazil), and ii) the thermal stresses related to high temperatures (above 36º C) in tropical Brazil and low temperatures (below 5º C) in southern Brazil and Uruguay. Even in traditional areas of planting, the effects of variation in water regime and heat due to climate change will require improved understanding of the sensitivity of clones to these stresses. produced (Alvares et al. 2013). Since the weather information each TECHS be used in almost all their evaluations, it is necessary to develop a database of climate for each site. Methodology We use meteorological data from Brazilian Meteorological National Institute (INMET) to prepare the weather database of TECHS. The INMET maintains a network of meteorological stations throughout Brazil, and its data can be accessed in real time via internet. Based on the localization of the sites and meteorological stations we selected the pairs TECHS / INMET similar in terms of topography and historic climate (Alvares et al., 2013) (Figure 1). Thus, from 2012, the meteorological data are collected in each TECHS at hourly scale. Some indices such as potential evapotranspiration, water balance based on Thornthwaite and Mather method, are calculated at daily scale. All information was consisted and stored in webpage project. The rainfall and evapotranspiration were plotted in diagrams to compare them annually. Furthermore, TECHS sites were classified according Köppen system. The Cooperative Program on Clonal Eucalyptus Tolerance to the Hydric and Thermal Stresses (TECHS) design aims to “understand the variation of forest adaptability and productivity of a group of Eucalyptus clones across a wide range of edaphic-climatic conditions and stocking, and within each site, the responses to water deficit.” General Genetic Material: a group of 18 Eucalyptus clones were selected by a group of breeders for planting in all TECHS sites. These clones will represent genetic materials currently in use in Brazil, but with distinct pedigree characteristics and susceptibility to hydric and thermal stresses. With this approach we are looking for different ecophysiological behaviors within adequate levels of productivity. Given the wide range of Brazilian climatic conditions, each TECHS site was classified into Tropical and Subtropical, based on detailed Köppen climatic classification, recently Figure 1. TECHS sites and weather stations from Brazilian Meteorological National Institute (INMET). 83 Results F i The TECHS sites cover a wide range of climates in South America, from semi-arid to super humid. The semi-arid sites present annual rainfall 500 to 700 mm, while the super-humid sites between 1800 and 2000 mm. The year 2013 was more humid in most of the TECHS, as shown in Figure 2. gure 4. Sequential water balance for Special TECHS sites. Figure 4 shows the sequential water balance for special sites, where it can be noticed the increasing water deficit in the heading north to south of Brazil. The first two years of TECHS, 2012 and 2013, showed wide climate variability, as shown in Figure 6. A few sites keeps the same climate type in the first two years in relation to historical climate (Figure 5), while most of them the change has been observed. Reference Alvares, et al. 2013. Köppen's climate classification map for Brazil. Met. Z., 22:711-728. Figure 2. TECHS’ climate diagram of 2012 and 2013. Figure 3. Köppen climate classification and TECHS sites. Acknowledgements To IPEF-TECHS and INMET. Figure 5. Annual climatic variability (2012, 2013) of the TECHS regarding historic climate. 84 Eucahydro: tools for early assessment of Eucalyptus genotypes for water use efficiency, water consumption, efficient use of water and drought resistance Trial objective Developing a model of water sustainability analysis for Eucalyptus genotypes (EUCAHYDRO). EUCAHYDRO will integrate ecophysiological and genomic tools to evaluate the efficiency, water consumption and drought resistance of genotypes of Eucalyptus globulus, E. nitens and hybrids in early stages of development (nursery and/or first year of development). Treatment and experimental design The study consider the establishment of two contrasting climatic site conditions located in the Maule and Bio-Bio regions. Selected sites differed mainly on relative humidity and vapor pressure déficit conditions in Chile (Figure 1). A total of 30 Eucalyptus genotypes of high , medium and low productivity for E.globulus and Eucalyptus nitens, and hybrids of Eucalyptus camaldulensis highly selected genotypes were considered. Two conditions are being evaluated as study treatments considering irrigated (1000 mm) and no irrigated conditions (~700 mm) evaluated at establishment and until 3 years old. Figure 1. Geographical Eucahydro in Chile. location of Project Studies at each site were established with three blocks (replicates), each block consisting of two main plots with both contrasting irrigation system, where each main plot will contain 30 subplots each of 5 x 5 tres (25 trees per plot) of each selected genotype asigned randomly to experimental units. Ecophysiological Assessments: The project involves continuous measurements of individual tree sap flow , soil moisture and climatic parameters at each site (Figure 1). Seasonal measurements on the genotypes consider tree growth, instantaneous gas exchange (photosynthesis and evapotranspiration), xylem potential, leaf area and biomass allocation (Figure 2). Moreover, collection of samples for genomic analyses will be obtained during the summer to characterize genotypes signals. Figure 2. Summer measurements of intrinsic-water use efficiency (photosynthesis/stomatal conductance) at the site Yumbel (upper panel) and Constitucion (lower panel). 85 Figure 4. Measurement campaing of growth (A), gas Exchange (B) and sap flow (C) winter measurements in some genotypes. Figure 3. Summer measurements of collar diameter (upper panel) and height (lower panel). Graphs shows the data for the irrigated and water -stressed treatment at both sites (Yumbel and Constitucion). Results Preliminary results showed differences in water use efficiency (WUE) among the genotypes (Figure 2). At the Constitucion site, there was a general trend that genotypes having higher WUE in the irrigated treatment also had higher WUE in the water-stressed treatment. This trend was not consistent at the Yumbel site. WUE was higher at Yumbel than Constitucion. Overall, Photosynthetic rate (Asat) ranged from 13 to 24 micromole/m2/s in the summer measurements. Asat was higher in the irrigated treatment than the stressed treatment, but differences did not persist in the Water stressed decreased the collar diameter and height at both sites (Figure 3). The differences among the genotypes were higher for collar diameter than tree height. The high coefficient of correlation (ranging from 0.7 to 0.9) among the growth traits in both irrigated and water stressed treatment (Figure 3) suggests a great stability of the genotypes to the water availability. However, the genotypes changed in the rank in growth traits between sites suggesting a significant GxE interaction. Future direction New measurements will be obtained annualy to assess plant development. Other species such as Eucalyptus will be tested under this scheme. Moreover, gene expression and genetic isolation and molecular characterization are also monitored to understand genotypes genomic responses to water stress (drought) at these early stages . 86 Special study: Potential Productivity of Eucalyptus maidenii and E. globulus in Uruguay. Objective To determine the potential response of Eucalyptus globulus (Eg) and E. maidenii (Em) plantations established free conditions weed competition and high levels of nutrient availability. To determine the response that validates the need to incorporate intensive management Eucalyptus sp. plantation company. To identify opportunities for increase the profitability of plantations established in southeastern Uruguay. Figure 1. Geographic location of the Potential Productivity trials in Uruguay. in the region is 16.5 º C, with an annual rainfall of 1200 mm. Treatments and experimental design To determine the potential responses of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus maidenii, the experiment was set up in a number of stand having different ages (Table 1) The treatments consisted of two homogeneous plots, one was considered a control plot. In the case of new plantations, the control plot was managed using standard practices by the company. The fertilized plots (potential productivity) were kept free of competing vegetation for 2 years and will be fertilized annually or seasonally for two years (Table 2). Figure 2. Image of the sites Yatay with treatments control and fertilized+ weed control. Fertilized+ weed control Site description Seven studies were established in Uruguay by Farm & Forestry Management Services Cattivelli (Eg) (2007), Esquenet (Em) (2008), Lemosur(Eg) (2009), Parma (Em)(2008), Singer (Eg)(2009), Villa Roble (Eg)(2011) and Yatay (Eg)(2007). The trials were established in 2012 and were located in the Provinces of Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado and Treinta y Tres for E. grandis and E. maidenii (Figure 1). Studies were established on a well (sandy loam) and moderately well (clay loam) drained soils, considered taxonomically Brunosoles. The previous use of the region was mostly grazing. The average annual temperature Control 87 Table 1. Summary of the growth at treatment application in 2012, and soil chemical analysis per site. Results Growth responses for the first two growing season after treatment application were variable among sites. Similarly, there had not been a consistent growth response associated to the Eucalyptus species. In all the sites the greater growth increment was immediately after treatment application, except at the Villa Roble site (Figure 3). There was not clear responses to fertilization of the Eucalyptus species as some sites exhibited lower growth in the fertilized treatment relative to the control (Esquenet, Yatay). A negative increment in tree growth was detected in the control plot at the Villa Roble site, which presented some mortality and damages problems that explains such decrease. Responses in DBH were more variable among sites than height. Figure 3. Mean increment in DBH (upper panel) and height (lower panel) for the first two growing period after treatment application per site Table . Fertilization treatments for age and elemental dose (kg ha-1). Future direction To increase our understanding about the potential productivity of plantations of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus maidenii in southeastern Uruguay, and how they are affected in different instances by environmental variables that reduces the effectiveness of early forestry investments. Future assessments may corroborate these low response found and state some guideline for future improvements. 88 Integrated Biomass Supply Systems —Comparative water and nutrient use in Eucalyptus benthamii and Pinus taeda plantations Timothy J. Albaugh, Chris A. Maier, Kurt H. Johnsen, Jose L. Stape, Thomas Fox, and Jim Vose Study objective The Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems (IBSS) is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative from the US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The overall IBSS goal is to demonstrate real world solutions to economically and environmentally sustainable production and conversion of biomass to biofuel in the southeast United States. We are working with the USDA Forest Service to complete our part of the grant which is focused on understanding the biology of Eucalyptus to examine the species as a biofuel crop alternative in the region. Eucalyptus is grown in other regions of the world and can be very productive however it has been associated with high water consumption. Water requirements for Eucalyptus plantations in the SE US are largely unknown. Generally, then, our objective is to quantify water as well as nutrient use for Eucalyptus benthamii. More specifically our objectives are to: 1.Quantify stand water use, water use efficiency, nutrient use, nutrient use efficiency and tree growth for nine year old stands of E. benthamii and Pinus taeda. 2.Define mechanisms for regulating stand water use. Mechanisms examined will be physiological (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance), morphological (leaf area, specific leaf area, crown shape), and structural (biomass allocation, rooting depth). 3.Parameterize the 3-PG process model for E. benthamii in the US. Treatments and experimental design We are working at the MWV Ravenel Nursery Site where adjacent nine-year-old E. benthamii and P. taeda stands are planted. Twelve trees of each species will be instrumented with Granierstyle sap flow probes (Figure 2) and automated dendrometer bands to measure sap flow and diameter growth for one year. After the sap flow measurements are completed we will destructively harvest a subset of trees to quantify above and below ground biomass and rooting depth. Nutrient determinations will be completed on tissue samples from the biomass harvest. Plots have been established surrounding the sap flow trees to measure stand growth and permit scaling to an area basis. The modeling work requires a full set of Figure 2. Sap flow probes and sap flow probes inserted into pine tree stem. Figure 1. Nine-year-old Eucalyptus benthamii stand in South Carolina. 89 meteorological data so temperature, radiation, precipitation, relative humidity, soil moisture and wind speed and direction will be measured on site. with a subset of the plots at the site. . Current status The trees were instrumented in January 2013 and the meteorological equipment was installed in April 2013. Our site is now one installation of the RAFES network which is fully described in a separate two page report. We are monitoring and maintaining the instrumented trees. We plan for a March 2014 biomass harvest. . Results Daily transpiration on a ground area basis was typically higher for the E. benthamii than for the P. taeda from January 20 to May 12, 2013 (Figure 3). The E. benthamii transpired a significantly greater amount of water (46 mm 122 day-1)than Figure 5. Daily transpiration per unit leaf area versus average daily daylight hour vapor pressure deficit for nine year old Eucalyptus benthamii (black circles) and Pinus taeda (red circles) for day of year 20 to 132 in 2013. the P. taeda (Figure 4). Daily transpiration per unit of leaf area was higher for E benthamii than P. taeda over the range in vapor pressure deficit during this time period (Figure 5). Soil moisture was lower to a deeper depth in the E. benthamii than it was in the P. taeda. In general then the E. benthamii appears to be using more water and depleting soil water faster than the P. taeda. Even though water use by the eucalyptus may be greater than the pine, the water use efficiency (m3 of wood produced per m3 of water transpired) has not been determined at this point. Future plans Figure 3. Daily transpiration on a ground area basis for nine year old Eucalyptus benthamii (black circles) and Pinus taeda (red circles) for day of year 20 to 132 in 2013. We plan to continue measurements through March 2014 to include an entire year of data. At that time we will complete the destructive sampling to estimate biomass production, nutrient use and rooting depth. When this work is completed these same measurements are planned for a younger stand on eucalyptus and pine to help develop how these traits may change during the rotation. Acknowledgements The IBSS Partnership is supported by AFRI Competitive Grant #2011-68005-30410 from USDA NIFA. MWV has provided access to the stands and additional support to complete the research The USDA Forest Service provides support for the RAFES study. Figure 4. Total transpiration on a ground area basis for nine year old Eucalyptus benthamii (Euc) and Pinus taeda (Pine) for day of year 20 to 132 in 2013. 90 Geodatabase System: spatial information for forestry and environmental applications Clayton A. Alvares, Jose L. Stape, Thomas Fox, Rafael Rubilar Introduction Demand for reliable spatialized information in forestry is increasing and more databases are freely accessible on the Internet. However, these sources are commonly dispersed and have generalized information that do not meet specific requirements for forestry and environmental applications. All maps were spatialized using geostatistical tools and GIS that best fit their spatial behavior. The project to create a system of specialized maps for use in forestry began in 2010 as a joint project between IPEF and FPC due to their many common interests in Brazil and Uruguay. As a consequence of this effort, the IPEF's FPC’s Geodatabase System was established in 2012 providing access to Brazilian spatialized edaphobio-climatic information. These maps are increasingly necessary for research activities and forest planning of IPEF and FPC members, besides the forestry community in general. Development and current status Under the concept of database management, the first version of the Geodabatase System was organized into three hierarchical levels: country, topic and subtopic. Figure 1. IPEF/FPC Geodatabase (www.ipef.br/geodatabase) System Webpage The relief subtopics contain maps of elevation, slope and aspect (slope orientation). On the IPEF’s platform, the two countries of interest are Brazil and Uruguay. The geology subtopics are composed by official Brazilian geological and soil maps, besides some soil physics and chemical attributes like clay content and CEC (fertility). For both countries, the topics comprehend: climate, topography, geology, administrative and ecology (Figure 1). The political maps are the administrative borders of Brazil, as a region, state, meso- and microregions and municipalities. The climate subtopics include: mean monthly temperature, monthly maximum temperature, minimum temperature monthly (Figure 3), monthly precipitation (Figure 4), global radiation (Figure 5), relative humidity, potential evapotranspiration and vapor pressure deficit. The ecological subtopics have maps on climatic zoning, forest diseases, ecological biomes and estimated productivity of some forest planted species (Eucalyptus and Pine). All climatic variables are expressed in monthly or annual averages, based on historical data from 1950 to 1990. Maps are available in different levels of access. There is a level open to the general public, which guarantees access to maps in PDF format on A4 size (21 x 24cm). 91 The website restricted level, which requires access via the login and password, can be used only by FPC or IPEF members and allow the download of the raster– and shape-files. Figure 4. Example ecological map (eucalypt rust) Figure 2. Example of climatic map (temperature) Figure 5. Countries in America with FPC members Figure 3. Example of ecological map (bioclimatic zoning) Next steps The geodatabase is an on-going effort and will start incorporating maps for all the 10 countries where the FPC has members. More applied maps with potential and actual productivity of Eucalyptus, Pine and other species, together with remote sensing of leaf area index and vegetation indices are under development. For more information: http://www.ipef.br/geodatabase http://www.forestproductivitycoop.org 92 Modeling monthly mean air temperature for Brazil Clayton A. Alvares 1 , José L. Stape 2 , Paulo C. Sentelhas 3 , José L.M. Gonçalves 3 1 IPEF and FPC; 2 NCSU; 3 ESALQ/USP Introduction Air temperature is one of the major effects of solar radiation in the lower Earth atmosphere. In agriculture and forestry, air temperature together with rainfall are the main factors defining crop zoning, sowing dates, and the expected yield levels. The Brazilian territory comprises a wide area, occupies nearly 48% of South America, and has a wide climate diversity. However, the density of weather stations in Brazil is very low and in some areas there is no stations at all (Figure 1). descriptive analyzes, multivariate statistics and geostatistics. Figure 2. Location of all studied areas used in the evaluation of the equations obtained in this study Figure 1. Location of the Brazilian weather stations used for air temperature modeling Usually, the normal monthly mean air temperature is estimated with the use of multiple linear regressions, and this method can be as effective as sophisticated local interpolation methods, especially when dealing with mean climatic data. In Brazil, coefficients for linear models for estimating mean air temperature as a function of latitude, longitude and altitude are available for approximately 50% of the territory (Figure 2). Based on this, our study aims to develop models for estimating monthly and annual maximum, minimum and mean air temperatures for the whole Brazilian territory. Material And Methods The study was conducted in several steps that included the data compilation, data consistency, exploratory analysis, compilation in a geodatadase using a geographic information system, geoprocessing techniques, static The complete database used in this study comes from the Brazilian institutions as National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), National Department of Works against Droughts (DNOCS) and Northeast Development Superintendency (SUDENE), and also the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/ONU). After the phase of consistency and exploratory analysis we used 2400 weather stations throughout the Brazilian territory. The models were developed based in weather stations 1800 and was used for validating the other 600 (25% of total). Among other indicators of fit quality and the models obtained we apply the ME (mean error), MAE (mean absolute error), RMSE (root-mean-square error) and MAPE (mean absolute percentage error). Finally, and as a second validation, we compare our national models with regional models of 16 previously published studies in Brazil (Figure 2). Results The correlations between air temperature and geographical coordinates and altitude were well defined: higher latitude, lower temperature, because of seasonal variation of incoming solar radiation; higher altitude, lower temperature, due to atmospheric pressure reduction and air rarefaction of the air. Longitude showed less 93 effect on temperature variation, since its effect on air temperature amplitude is associated with the position of the area in relation to the ocean, which varies with the regions of the country (Figure 3). Serrano Plateau (Santa Catarina state) was the coldest of Brazil; while the valleys of the Amazon, Araguaia, and Parnaíba rivers were the hottest regions (Figure 3). Figure 3. Pearson’s correlation coefficients for the relationships (monthly and annual) air temperature and altitude, longitude, and latitude All regression models were significant (α ≤ 0.01) as well as all independent variables at 1 and 5%. The indicators statistician showed that the models were of good quality, but were much better when the residues were added (obtained by kriging, Table 1). We evaluated a total of 3.67 108 pixels (1 km2), between the results provided by the proposed models and other studies (Figure 2). The overall correlation obtained was 0.93, showing that there is a high consistency between our national models with regional models. Table 1. Errors of the temperature multivariate regression models using database from fitting and test sets considering kriging effects for the first validation Figure 4. Annual mean air temperature maps for Brazil, generated by models, bias by kriging and the final maps Conclusions Spatial and temporal variability of monthly and annual temperatures in Brazil were properly modeled through the relationship with latitude, longitude, altitude and their combinations, using multivariate regression equations, geostatistical analysis, and GIS. In these kinds of spatial modeling the bias should be treated properly and incorporated into the final maps. 94 Stand-level patterns of carbon fluxes and partitioning in a Eucalyptus grandis plantation across a gradient of productivity, in São Paulo State, Brazil Otávio Campoe, José Luiz Stape, Jean-Paul Laclau, Claire Marsden, Yann Nouvellon Introduction Wood production represents a large but variable fraction of gross primary production (GPP) in highly productive Eucalyptus plantations. Assessing patterns of carbon (C) partitioning (C flux as a fraction of GPP) bet ween abov eand belowground components is essential to understand mechanisms driving the C budget of these plantations. Better knowledge of fluxes and partitioning to woody and non-woody tissues in response to site characteristics and resource availability could provide opportunities to increase forest productivity. Our study aimed at investigating how C allocation varied within one apparently homogeneous 90 ha stand of Eucalyptus grandis in Southeastern Brazil. Material and Methods We assessed annual aboveground net primary production (ANPP: stem, leaf, and branch production, eq. 1), total belowground C flux (TBCF: sum of root production and respiration and mycorrhizal production and respiration, eq. 2) and GPP (computed as the sum of ANPP, TBCF and estimated aboveground respiration, eq. 3) on 12 plots representing the gradient of productivity found within the stand (Figure 1). Carbon fluxes were assessed during the last year of the rotation before harvesting (from 6 to 7 yrs after planting) and the C partitioning was studied on a gradient of productivity. ANPP = FA + Δ(CW + CF) [eq. 1] FA: literfall, ΔCW: change in carbon content on aboveground wood biomass (stem, bark and branches), ΔCF: change in carbon content on foliage in the canopy. TBCF = FS - FA + Δ(CR + CL + CT) [eq. 2] FS: soil respiration, FA: literfall, Δ (CR, CL, CT): change of carbon content in coarse roots, litter layer and stumps. Figure 1. Experimental area topography and plot location. The arrow indicates the trend of increase in soil clay content from ≈20 to ≈ 40% across the site. Plots are classified by ascending order of elevation. GPP = ANPP + TBCF + RP [eq. 3] RP: aboveground autotrophic respiration was estimated as a fraction of ANPP (53%) The methodology applied was based on Giardina and Ryan (2002) and Ryan et al. (2010). Results The spatial heterogeneity of topography and associated soil attributes (Figure 1) strongly affected the component fluxes of GPP and C partitioning across the area. Stand GPP ranged from 2971 g C m-2 yr-1 to 4132 g C m-2 yr-1 (+39%). These contrasting plots were also the most contrasted for ANPP, which attained 1208 g C m-2 yr-1 versus 1791 g C m-2 yr-1 (+48%), and for stem wood NPP (554 g C m-2 yr-1 versus 923 g C m-2 yr-1 (+ 67%). 95 Total belowground carbon flux ranged from 497 g C m-2 yr-1 (low elevation and median GPP) to 1235 g C m-2 yr-1 (higher elevation and high GPP) and showed no significant relationship with GPP (P=0.33) or ANPP (P=0.36). Carbon partitioning to stem production ranged from 0.19 to 0.23, presenting a trend of linear increase with GPP (Figure 2). In contrast, the fraction of primary production partitioned belowground was not correlated with GPP, while C partitioning to leaf production showed a significant negative correlation with GPP (Figure 3). Figure 3. Linear increase in leaf NPP (A) and decrease in C partitioning to foliage NPP (B) as a function of increasing GPP. Numbers represent plots. Conclusion Figure 2. Linear increase in stem NPP (A) and C partitioning to stem NPP (B) as a function of increasing GPP. Numbers represent plots. Comparing the two most contrasting plots in terms of GPP, the 67% difference in stem wood NPP was a combined result of higher photosynthesis and higher C flux. Stem production across the gradient of productivity observed at our experimental site was a combined result of the variability in GPP, and carbon partitioned to stem NPP. Comprehensive studies focusing on the components of C budgets in forest plantations are required to improve our understanding of the processes driving wood production and carbon fixation, and develop our capability to predict forest responses to environmental changes. Acknowledgements We thank to FAPESP-Brazil, the EUCFLUX ProjectIPEF, Itatinga Research Station – ESALQ/USP and Floragro Company for field work and laboratory support. References Giardina, C.P., Ryan, M.G., 2002. Ecosystems 5, 487–499. Partial view of the 7 years old Eucalyptus grandis plantation studied in São Paulo state/Brazil Ryan, M.G., et al. 2010. Forest Ecology and Management. 259, 9, 1695–1703. 96 Stem production, light absorption and light use efficiency between dominant and non-dominant trees of Eucalyptus grandis across a productivity gradient in Brazil Otavio Campoe, Jose L. Stape, Yann Nouvellon, Jean-Paul Laclau, William Bauerle, Dan Binkley, Guerric Le Maire Introduction Brazilian Eucalyptus plantations are some of the most productive forest plantations in the world, sustaining mean growth rates of 25 Mg ha-1 year1 (50 m3 ha-1 year-1) over the 4.7 million hectares planted across the country. To better understand forest productivity, studies at the stand scale need to be coupled with tree level evaluations of the production ecology. Study design We measured (from 6 to 7 years after planting) stem wood dry biomass growth and estimated light absorption and light use efficiency at the tree level with a three-dimensional array model (MAESTRA) in 12 plots within a seed-origin Eucalyptus grandis plantation. The soil clay content (from ~20% to ~40%) and topography of the experimental site generated a natural gradient in productivity (Campoe et al. 2012). Radiation absorption for each tree was simulated with MAESTRA (Medlyn, 2004), a three dimensional ecophysiological model that estimates radiation absorption, photosynthesis and transpiration at the individual tree level. MAESTRA accounts for the influence of shading from leaves within a crown and by those of neighboring crowns. From destructive sampling, we measured tree crown structural characteristics to parameterize MAESTRA (Figure 1). We investigated the hypothesis that dominant trees (the 20% largest) are more productive than non-dominant trees (the 20% smallest) as a result of greater light absorption and light use efficiency; and that with increasing productivity across plots, dominant trees would show larger increases in light use and light use efficiency in comparison to non-dominant trees. Figure 1. Schematic representation (in scale) of the positioning and size of trees present in plot 1 with elevation of 726 m (A: frontal view, B: orthogonal view). The red crown trees are the focal trees used in MAESTRA simulations, and the outer five rows of green crown trees were included in the simulation only for their potential shading on focal trees. This figure was made using the Maeswrap package in R. Results The 20% smallest of the trees averaged 10.6 kg of stem wood dry biomass (1.6 kg of stem wood growth during the last year of the rotation), compared with 185 kg per stem wood in the 20% largest of trees (34 kg of stem wood growth over the same period). The smallest trees contained 7.2% of the leaf area as compared to the largest trees (3.0 m2 versus 41.7 m2), and they absorbed only 6.7% as much light (2.2 versus 32.8 GJ year1, Figure 2). The smallest trees grew at about 4.7% of the rate of the largest trees, which is a smaller percentage than the difference in absorbed photosynthetically active radiation; 97 Figure 2. Stem wood dry biomass growth and absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) as a function of tree stem wood dry biomass (A and B), and as a function of tree ranking (C and D) for all trees and plots. The pattern of increasing stem growth and APAR with larger or high ranking trees was consistent among the 12 plots. therefore the light use efficiency was lower for the smallest trees (0.75 kg GJ-1 versus 1.03 kg GJ1). Averaging by plot, higher growth rates showed higher light absorption and stem wood growth increased with increasing light interception across all size classes of trees. Higher growth rates also showed greater LUE, and the effect of LUE on growth rate was higher for small trees than for large trees (Figure 3). Canopy view of the 7 years old Eucalyptus grandis plantation studied in São Paulo-Brazil. Conclusion The significant contribution of dominant trees to stand productivity and the importance of evaluating production ecology at the individual tree scale show the relevance of further studies should focus on understanding the impact of tree dominance on planted forest productivity. Figure 3. Averaging by plot, higher growth rates showed higher light absorption (A). Higher growth rates also showed greater efficiency of light use (B), and the difference in efficiency was much stronger for small trees than for medium and large trees. Acknowledgements We thank FAPESP-Brazil, the EUCFLUX Project-IPEF, Itatinga Research Station - ESALQ/USP and Floragro Company. References Campoe O.C., et al. 2012. Tree Physiol. 32, 696–706. Medlyn, B.E., 2004. Forests at the land–atmosphere interface, 105–122. 98 Fondecyt project 1140482: Water and nutrient use efficiency in dendroenergetic plantations. Trial series objectives To provide strategies for managing short rotation woody crops to provide a sustainable source of fiber and bioenergy feed stocks while maintaining a positive water and nutrient balance. de 1.400 mm. El área presenta un déficit hídrico que se extiende entre 3 y 4 meses. La temperatura media anual varía entre 12.5 y 13.9° C. Another potential study may be added near Trial specific objectives To quantify water use for Acacia dealbata and E. globulus over a range of stocking levels, nutrient availability (sites) and soils. To determine site water balance for Acacia dealbata and E. globulus over a range of stocking levels, nutrient availability (sites) and soils and estimate water that may be available for use off site. To quantify nutrient use for Acacia dealbata and E. globulus over a range of stocking levels, nutrient availability (sites) and soils during a bioenergy rotation to determine what nutrients will likely become limiting in a short rotation silviculture regime. Experimental design Two studies were established on a sandy volcanic soils and recent volcanic ash soils, located between the Biobío and Araucanía Regions, Chile (Figure 1). Both trials were established in September 2010, using 3 blocks at each site, 2 species (Acacia dealbata, Eucalyptus globulus), 2 stocking levels (5000, 15000 stems ha-1) with a 1.41 x 1.41 m (324 tree ha-1) and 0.81 x 0.81 m (900 tree ha-1) spacing respectively. Description of study area El clima en el área de estudio es mediterráneo templado con una precipitación media anual Figure 1. Localization studies, on a sandy volcanic soils (property “la Aguada”) and recent volcanic ash soils (property “Parcelas Collipulli”). Micrometeorological measurements and soil moisture status Micrometeorological measurements will be collected from an automatic weather station located at each site. Data from sensors will include rainfall, anemometer, leaf wetness sensor, air temperature and relative humidity and photosynthetically active sensor. Volumetric soil water content and temperature data will be recorded on a daily basis. 99 Soil probes will be installed at 0-20, 20-40 and 4060 cm depths; a block was selected at each trial where three sensors were installed per plot. Sap flux measurements Stem sap flux measurements will be made on 10 trees per plot across different size classes, at breast height diameter using 2 cm heat dissipation probes. Averages of temperature difference data will be recorded daily and stored in data loggers. Sap flux density data will be scaled and converted to a tree transpiration rate per unit leaf area (E, mmol m-2 s-1) using tree sapwood area, stand LAI (projected) and stand tree density. While trees with sap flow sensor will have a record of their diameters by means of electronic dendrometers attached to the steam of the trees. Xylem pressure exchange potential and gas Pre-dawn and mid-day plant water potential will be measured with a PSM model 1000 pressure bomb on one leaf or twing, from the upper half to one-third of the crown, from each of six trees per plot. Leaf-level gas exchange rates and stomatal conductance will be measured using an openpath portalephotosynthetic system. Leaf areas enclosed in the cuvette will be scanned using an laser leaf area meter, and the subsequent digital image will be analyzed with Image software. These measurements will be made quarterly. Ecosystem balance water use and water Ecosystem water use will be estimated for each species and stocking by integrating individual tree sapflow to the stand level using inventory data. A simplified water balance equation for calculating stand water use, is: P = T + I + D + ETu + Δθ. Where P = precipitation, T = tree transpiration, I = tree canopy interception, D = drainage, and ET = understory evapotranspiration. Interception will be calculated as a function of throughfall and stemflow. Water use efficiency Integrated water use efficiency will be calculated over the growing season as total useable tree biomass produced per total water transpired per unit land area. Nutrient use efficiency Each year in the dormant season 20 trees per trial will be harvested. The components of the trees will be separated, and samples will be obtained, these will be dried at 65°C until a constant weight and weighed. A subsample of each component will be obtained to determine elemental nutrient concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and boron. Nutrient use for each Figure 2. View of one of the potential sites containing A.dealbata, Eucaliptus species and hybrid poplars planted at different spacing. 100 Nutrient omission at establishment and doses and efficiency of P fertilizers trials in Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucayptus pellita in Colombia. Background Eucapyptus urophyllla and Eucalyptus pellita are species with great potential to be developed extensively in some Colombian regions. Only with gains in silvicultural management (and not genetic improvement), E.pellita and E.urophylla could reach productivities ranging from 20-35 and 30-40 m3/ha/year, respectively. Ultisoals and Oxisols are typical soils found in the Orinoquia region in Colombia, presenting high nutrient limitations, low pH (4.5-5.5) and consequently high aluminum saturation. In the last five years, CONIF (Corporacion Nacional de Investigacion y Fomento Forestal de Colombia) has developed some research in these species under different fertilizations regimes, and it has been recognized the positive responses to the fertilization with Ca and P. In this context, and in order to improve the knowledge about the fertility management of these species in these areas, it was created an alliance between CONIF and the company Cambium (both members of the Forest Productivity Cooperative). In this initiative, two studies were planned for the Orinoquia region, one nutrient omission (RW25) trial that was already installed in 2014. , and one P fertilization strategy (RW26) trial that will be installed in 2015. Trial series objectives of RW25 1– To determine the critical nutrients establishment of E.urophylla and E.pellita. for 2– To evaluate the omission response of one or more nutrients at establishment on the soils of the region. 3– To model the biological and economical response of the species to the omission of site specific nutrients and to determine operational strategies 4.– To model the biological and economical responses of these species to the nutrient omission to prescribe fertilization of new planted clonal materials. Trial series objectives of RW26 1.– To determine a minimal dose of P that increases the growth response of E.urophylla and E.pellita to the most limiting nutrient. 2.– To evaluate the effectiveness of controlledrelease fertilizers during the first years of development. 3.- To model the biological and economical response to doses and sources of fertilizers during the first 4 years of development. Figure 1. Site view and soil profile of the study area. 101 Treatments and experimental design The study area is located in the San Martin province, with an area of 15.597 hectares, and highly weathered soils (Ultisol and Oxisol), typical of the Orinoquia region (Figure 1). Soils are classified as Plinthic Hapludos, with loamy textures. The specific treatments for the RW25 and RW26 are shown in table 1 and 2, respectively. Table 1. Treatment description for the RW25 trial. Table 2. trial. Treatment description for the RW26 Future direction Annual growth measurement will be taken in subsequent years in the RW25. The RW26 will be established in 2014. Pre– and post– sampling of foliage and soil will allow the effectiveness of the fertilization treatment on the species under study. 102 Special study: Nelder spacing trial to evaluateAcacia mangium development in Northeast Llanos Area of Venezuela. Trial objective To assess the survival and introduced in availability in Venezuela. effect of planting density on growth of Acacia mangium the low fertility and low water the Llanos Area of northeast Figure 1. Nelder trial installations in Venezuela farm (Figure 1,2). The site considered for establishment was previously occupied by a Pinus caribaea plantation and was burned before manual planting with spade. Weed control was applied mechanically to all plots after planting . Table1 . Treatments on spacing (Nelder method) for Acacia mangium in Venezuela and dasometric features the establishment of the trial. Spacing Distance from the center Distance between a radio and others Spacing1 11.4 Spacing2 13.8 2.4 1545 Spacing3 16.7 2.9 1052 Spacing4 20.2 3.5 717 Spacing5 24.5 4.2 489 Spacing6 29.7 5.1 333 Spacing7 36 6.2 227 Spacing8 43.6 7.6 200 Tree /Ha 2267 Figure 2. Nelder trial for Acacia mangiun. Treatment and experimental design The study was established as a circular Nelder trial design considering planting densities of 227 to 1545 trees per ha and treatment with and without pruning (Table 1). The circular planting was established within a square plot of 90 m by 90 m and had a radio from the center of 11.4 m for the first planting density. The Nelder plot Seedlings of 20 to 25 cm height with collar diameter above 3 mm of SSOLanercost PNG-N-QLD provenance were established in July 2011 at Chamaraguas Norte 103 Measurements After 25 months since establishment, the mean cumulative diameter was 10.2 cm and 8.8 m for the treatment with and without pruning, respectively (Figure 3). The mean cumulative height did not vary among the treatments, with an average height 10 m for both treatments at month 25th. In both pruning treatments diameter consistently declined over the planting densities of 333 trees/ha, and remained without variation at higher planting densities. The pruning treatment had higher diameter in all the planting densities than the treatment without pruning. These differences were greater at lower planting densities (Figure 3). As was expected, the effect of planting density was less on tree height. Micro-spatial variation in soil compaction has decreased tree growth (Figure 5). Figure 4. Accumulated increment for DBH and height 25 month since establishment by pruning treatment and planting density. Future direction New measurements will be obtained annualy to assess plant development. Other species such as Eucalyptus will be tested under this scheme. Figure 3. Accumulated increment for DBH and height over time. Figure 5. Accumulated increment for DBH and height 25 moths since establishment by pruning treatment and planting density. 104 Special study: Deep positioning of fertilizers on fast-growing plantations under intensive management. Background Fertilizers responses have been reported extensively in forest research. However, theses responses vary enormously among species and sites. Moreover, there is a little understanding about how to optimize the nutrient capture efficiency by trees. In this context, the use of controlled-release fertilizers is becoming more common in plantations. These have the advantages of increasing the nutrient capture and diminishing the losses. Other way to increase the uptake may be optimizing the positioning of the fertilizer in depth. Trial objectives purposes, it will be considered only the interior plot of 5 by 5 trees. The treatments consider the testing alone or in combination of: A)a controlled-release fertilizer, which may be applied in contact with the root system and in depth. B)Boron applied superficially. C)A blended-fast released fertilizer that may be applied in different depths. The experiment was established in two sites of South-central valley of Chile (Figure 1) in August 2014. The stand was planted at a spacing of 3 x 2 m. A total of 10 fertilization treatment are tested at each site (Table 1, Figure 2). This study attempts to assess the growth responses in fast-growing plantations to the positioning strategy of the fertilizers relative to the root system. The specific objectives are: 1) To assess the responses in survival, growth and stand uniformity to the addition of controlledreleased fertilizers in contact with the root system versus fast-released fertilizers. 2) To assess the positioning of fertilizers at different depths and their interaction with the water availability and 3) To assess the interaction of controlled-release fertilizers used in contact with the root system (starters) with traditional fertilization. Treatments and experimental design The experimental design is a randomized complete block design, with 3 replicates. The plots have 49 trees, but for measurements Figure 1. Location of the trials near Nacimiento (site 1) and Mulchen (site 2). 105 Figure 2. Diagram describing the way in which the fertilizers are applied. Table 1. Description of the fertilization treatments. LC1 and LC2 are two controlledrelease fertilizers, whereas LR1 and LR2 are two fast-release fertilizers. Dpending og the type of the fertilizer, these were applied in contact with the root, superficially or at 50-60 cm in depth. Future direction Three months after stablishing, the distribution of the root system will be assessed through pits excavations and using soil cores. The study will also be monitored in soil moisture at different depth to evaluate the fertilizer by water availability as well as the interaction between the types of fertilizers. Growth responses will be measured annually. 106 Special study: Deep positioning of fertilizers on fast-growing plantations under intensive management. Background Fertilizers responses have been reported extensively in forest research. However, theses responses vary enormously among species and sites. Moreover, there is a little understanding about how to optimize the nutrient capture efficiency by trees. In this context, the use of controlled-release fertilizers is becoming more common in plantations. These have the advantages of increasing the nutrient capture and diminishing the losses. Other way to increase the uptake may be optimizing the positioning of the fertilizer in depth. Trial objectives purposes, it will be considered only the interior plot of 5 by 5 trees. The treatments consider the testing alone or in combination of: A)a controlled-release fertilizer, which may be applied in contact with the root system and in depth. B)Boron applied superficially. C)A blended-fast released fertilizer that may be applied in different depths. The experiment was established in two sites of South-central valley of Chile (Figure 1) in August 2014. The stand was planted at a spacing of 3 x 2 m. A total of 10 fertilization treatment are tested at each site (Table 1, Figure 2). This study attempts to assess the growth responses in fast-growing plantations to the positioning strategy of the fertilizers relative to the root system. The specific objectives are: 1) To assess the responses in survival, growth and stand uniformity to the addition of controlledreleased fertilizers in contact with the root system versus fast-released fertilizers. 2) To assess the positioning of fertilizers at different depths and their interaction with the water availability and 3) To assess the interaction of controlled-release fertilizers used in contact with the root system (starters) with traditional fertilization. Treatments and experimental design The experimental design is a randomized complete block design, with 3 replicates. The plots have 49 trees, but for measurements Figure 1. Location of the trials near Nacimiento (site 1) and Mulchen (site 2). 107 Figure 2. Diagram describing the way in which the fertilizers are applied. Table 1. Description of the fertilization treatments. LC1 and LC2 are two controlledrelease fertilizers, whereas LR1 and LR2 are two fast-release fertilizers. Dpending og the type of the fertilizer, these were applied in contact with the root, superficially or at 50-60 cm in depth. Future direction Three months after stablishing, the distribution of the root system will be assessed through pits excavations and using soil cores. The study will also be monitored in soil moisture at different depth to evaluate the fertilizer by water availability as well as the interaction between the types of fertilizers. Growth responses will be measured annually. 108 Fertilizer Survey—Summary of Operational Forest Fertilization for Forest Productivity Cooperative Members: 2013 Update Timothy J. Albaugh, Thomas R. Fox, Jose L. Stape, Rafael A. Rubilar Study objectives Beginning in 1969, the Forest Productivity Cooperative surveyed its members annually regarding forest fertilization practices in the Southeastern United States. In 2009, With over half of our full members controlling land outside of the United States, we began surveying members about their fertilizer applications on land inside and outside the United States. Treatments and experimental design This report summarizes the annual survey of forest fertilization practices by the Forest Productivity Cooperative member companies. This survey has been conducted for 43 years and provides a long-term record of forest fertilization practices in the Southeast United States. This is the fourth year we have collected and reported fertilization by Forest Productivity Cooperative members on land outside the United States. Members were asked to voluntarily report the area fertilized in the previous year. The data reported by the members are then pooled for the Southeast US and for land outside the United States. Information provided by individual members is not revealed. 3.Nitrogen and phosphorus applied in established stands. These applications may include other elements. 4.Other elements applied in established stands. These applications do not include nitrogen or phosphorus. 5.All applications made on land outside the southeastern US. Results Fertilization in the United States The total area fertilized in the United States in 2013 was 725404 acres (293561 ha). This was a 4% decrease from 2012 applications (Figure 1). Applications at planting in 2013 were made on 67824 ac (27447 ha); a 20% decrease from 2012. Phosphorus only applications in established stands decreased 45% from 2012 levels to 36524 ac (14781 ha) in 2013. Nitrogen and phosphorus applications in established stands increased 4% Many different fertilization treatments are used by FPC members. To simplify the reporting process, fertilization treatments are combined into five major categories with the first four incorporating only data from applications in the southeast US: 1.Applications made at the time of planting. 2.Phosphorus applied alone in established stands. Figure 1. Area fertilized by Forest Productivity Cooperative members from 1990 to 2013. 109 2014. In 2014 the cost for fertilizer material needed for a 200N and 25P lbs ac-1 elemental rate would be $147, a 4% decrease from 2013. Other elements applied in 2013 were potassium, boron, and calcium along with micronutrient mixes. These elements were applied in combination with nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilization outside the United States This is the fifth year we have surveyed Forest Productivity members with land outside the United States about their fertilization practices. As in previous years, the area fertilized shown represents only a portion of the area fertilized outside the United States because all members surveyed did not respond (Figure 3). Members who did report their data applied fertilizer to 102040 ac (41294 ha) a 67% drop from the previous year. About half the applications were at planting and half were nitrogen and phosphorus in established stands. Common fertilizers applied include NPK blends, limestone, diammonium phosphate, triple super phosphate and rock phosphate. Additional Resources Albaugh et al. 2007. South. J. Appl. For. 31(3): 129-137. Albaugh et al. 2012. For. Sci. 58(5): 419-429 or http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/forsci.11-050. Figure 2. United States farm price for diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ fertilizer-use-and-price.aspx#26727) (top) and fertilizer material cost to apply 200 N and 25 P elemental lbs./ac (bottom). Material cost does not include application. from 2012 levels to 621056 ac (251333 ha) in 2013. Fertilized area is likely an underestimate this year because not all companies responded to the survey. Fluctuations in area fertilized have been linked to fluctuations in fertilizer costs (Figure 2). Compared to 2013 prices, diammonium phosphate prices dropped 5% and urea prices dropped 4% in 2014. Given the relatively small fluctuation in price from 2013 to 2014 fertilizer applications are likely to remain flat from 2013 to Figure 3. Response rate from members receiving the fertilizer survey.. 110 Forest Productivity Cooperative Team North Carolina State University Universidad de Concepción Staff Staff Jose Luiz Stape Co--Director Timothy Albaugh Senior Research Associate Graduate Students Yuan Fang (PhD) Kevin Hall (MSc) April Meeks (MSc) Aliisa Harjuniemi (MSc) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. Staff Thomas Fox Co-Director Andy Laviner Research Associate Colleen Carlson Data Manager and Analyst* Matthew Summall Research Associate Kathryn Hollandsworth Administrative Assistant Christine Blinn Research Associate Graduate Students Marco Yanez (PhD) Andy Laviner (PhD) Kevan Minnick (PhD) Santosh Subedi (PhD) Jay Raymond (PhD) Laura Skeith (PhD) Eric Carbaugh (MSc) Antonio Tacilla (MSc) Amy Werner (MSc) Lara Nichols (MSc) (* In memoriam) Rafael Rubilar Co-Director Manuel Monsalvez Research Assistant Diego Escoban Research Assistant Luis Castro Lab-technician Graduate Students Mailing Vanessa (PhD) Manuel Acevedo (PhD) Edwin Esquivel (PhD) Andres Rodriguez (PhD) Eduardo Cartes (PhD) Manuel Yaya (MSc) Matias Pincheira (MSc) Instituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais Staff Clayton Alvares Research Associate Rafaela Carneiro Research Assistant USP and Unesp - Sao Paulo Brazil Juliana Munhoz (PhD) Marina Otto (PhD) Rodrigo Hakamada (PhD) Cecila Arrevillaga (MSc) Eduardo Mattos (MSc) Raoni Nogueira (MSc) Isabel Deliberali (MSc) 112