Quality of Eucalyptus benthamii wood for pulp production by near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

Abstract

The use of non-destructive techniques such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has become of great interest in characterization of wood quality. Additionally, non-destructive techniques offer great application in genetic improvement programs because they aid selection of trees that are still in the stands. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of NIRS as a tool in the analysis of wood quality and genetic selection of Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden & Cambage clones used for production of cellulose. Eighty-seven trees (75 of E. benthamii, 4 of E. dunnii, 4 of E. grandis, and 4 of E. saligna) were used for the development of calibration models. Wood samples were analyzed for Klason lignin, total lignin, holocellulose, and basic density. A sub-sample was milled and used to acquire the spectra, which were then compared against values obtained from standard laboratory techniques. Model calibration was determined by partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis. The values observed for anatomical and chemical traits of Eucalyptus benthamii wood remained within the range considered appropriate for Klason lignin (R2 = 0.82) and total lignin content (R2 = 0.74). NIRS calibration models presented satisfactory adjustments for holocellulose content (R2 = 0.82) and wood density (R2 = 0.73). The NIRS models developed in this study offer the cellulose industry a viable commercial tool that can be used for characterization of samples of Eucalyptus benthamii wood. The accuracy of the models warrants their use in programs to accelerate the genetic improvement of E. benthamii.