Dendronutrition as a tool to evaluate Pinus taeda wood productivity and quality

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of mineral nutrients on tree growth and wood quality of Pinus taeda, on commercial plantation at 20 years after planting, on different soil types. Experimental plots were set, and from trees representing each population, stem disks were collected at different heights. Tree
growth, wood quality and growth ring parameters - tracheids diameter and radial density by X-ray densitometry - were analyzed and related to mineral nutrient contents. Results showed negative correlation among Mn and Mg stem disk contents and Pinus taeda tree growth; negative correlation was also obtained among Ca, Mg and Mn contents and tracheids dimensions and wood density. There was no correlation among N, P, K and B contents in stem disks and tree growth or wood quality studied variables.  Dendronutrition concept - study of relationship among tree growth parameters and growth rings to mineral nutrient contents in stem - is discussed in this work.