Clonal selection of Corymbia for energy and charcoal production

Letícia Costa Peres,Lucas De Freitas Fialho,Clarissa Gusmão Figueiró,Brígida Maria Dos Reis Teixeira Valente,Marcela Ferreira Gomes,Angélica De Cássia Oliveira Carneiro

doi:10.34062/afs.v6i3.8293

Abstract

The genus Corymbia appears as an option to produce best quality charcoal. The selection of genotypes through multivariate analysis can be a solution when multiple variables influence the result. The aim of this study was to characterize eight genotypes of Corymbia citriodora x Corymbia torelliana for energy and charcoal production, group and indicate the genetic materials with highest potential. The woods specific gravity, high heating value and energy density was determined. Energy density was grouped by the Scott-Knott test; group 1 was appointed for energy generation. The wood was carbonized. Charcoal yield, density, fixed carbon, friability, higher heating value, ash content, fixed carbon yield and energy density were determined. Principal component analysis was performed. Principal component 3 was chosen, as the representation of the ideal genetic material. The scores were calculated, and genetic materials III, VI and VIII are selected for charcoal production. The selection has shown to be efficient.

Highlights

As plantações florestais como fornecedoras de matéria-The world is dependent of a non-sustainable energy matrix, based mainly in the use of fossil fuels, which results in a high emission of greenhouse gases to the environment
Due to the occurrence of diseases, pests and water deficit, it is necessary that new genetic materials are developed to ensure the continuity of this productivity, such as the hybrids of Corymbia citriodora x Corymbia torelliana (Wendling et al 2015)
Energy density, which is the combination of the two previous proprieties, considering that materials with great amount of calorific value can perform poorly for energy purposes due to the lower basic density, as seen in genotype VIII (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The world is dependent of a non-sustainable energy matrix, based mainly in the use of fossil fuels, which results in a high emission of greenhouse gases to the environment. An alternative to these fuels is the use of biomass, a renewable fuel (Canadell & Schulze 2014). Due to the occurrence of diseases, pests and water deficit, it is necessary that new genetic materials are developed to ensure the continuity of this productivity, such as the hybrids of Corymbia citriodora x Corymbia torelliana (Wendling et al 2015) These hybrids, in general, have shown a high growth and high resistance to these adversities, in comparison with usually planted species. Their higher basic density of wood is a fundamental property when the objective is the production of energy

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Conclusion