Crescimento e Biomassa de Melia azedarach L. em Diferentes Espaçamentos e Características Tecnológicas da Madeira Visando à Produção de Carvão

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, quantify the biomass, and analyze some characteristics of the wood of chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.) at different planting spacings in a mixed stand in the municipality of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro state. The following spacings were used: 1.0 × 1.0; 1.5 × 1.5; 2.0 × 2.0; and 3.0 × 2.0 m. Five years after planting, 12 chinaberry individuals were selected, in each spacing, for measurement of height, diameter at ground level, and canopy area. For analysis of biomass, five trees were selected, felled, separated into components of the aerial part and weighed. Then samples of each component were collected, weighed while humid, and placed in stove for dry weight determination. Subsamples of the components of the aerial part were sent for analysis of carbon content. Basic density was determined and pyrolysis for energetic purposes was performed in the subsamples of wood of spacings 1 × 1 m and 3 × 2 m. Chinaberry presented greater growth in height and diameter at ground level in the 3 × 2 m spacing. Canopy area values did not differ between the spacings. The highest average biomass production occurred four years after planting in the 2 × 2 m spacing. The wood of chinaberry tree is suitable for the production of charcoal. No significant differences were observed in the technological characteristics of wood between the two spacings evaluated.