Qualidade da madeira de Tachigali vulgaris L. G. Silva & H.C. Lima para produtos de celulose.

Abstract

The high dependence on wood from species of the Eucalyptus and Pinus genera, combined with the search for quality products, is encouraging research into alternative woods for the biomaterials industry. In this context, it is necessary to evaluate the numerous characteristics that directly or indirectly influence the quality of wood to predict its correct use, such as the effects of tree bifurcation and soil types. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effect of soil texture and stem bifurcation on the quality of Tachigali vulgaris wood for pulp products. The material was collected from an experimental plantation belonging to the company Jari Celulose S.A., located in the municipality of Almeirim, in the mesoregion of the lower Amazon, Pará. Eight non-bifurcated and eight bifurcated trees were evaluated, from which disks were taken at the 0% position along the commercial height. The morphology of the fibers and the chemical composition of the wood were evaluated in soils with sandy and clayey textures and with the presence or absence of bifurcations. The results showed that the wood from trees grown in soils with a sandy texture showed significant differences in fiber length. The non-bifurcated trees had an average value of 690,41 μm and the bifurcated trees 614,93 μm. The aspect ratio was higher for non-bifurcated trees. However, other quality indices for pulp and paper production were better for the forked trees. The trees from the clay soil followed the same pattern, with fiber length and aspect ratio being higher for the unbifurcated trees at 753,15 μm and 60 μm, respectively. Like the trees on the sandy soil, the quality indices were more relevant for the forked trees. The non-bifurcated trees showed lower total extractive content for both the sandy soil (6% dry mass basis - bms) and the clay soil (1,45% bms). On the other hand, the cellulose content was higher for the forked trees in both types of soil, sandy (43,96% based on extractive free mass - bml) and clay (42,04% bml). This study shows that Tachigali vulgaris wood has potential for the biomaterials industry due to its anatomical and chemical characteristics. In this way, the wood can be used for future studies in the development of cellulose products such as papers, nanopapers, and nanofibrils for composites.