Modeling of wood properties from parameters obtained in nursery seedlings

Abstract

Early selection of trees allows acceleration of genetic improvement, as well as processes related to forest management, to improve the quality of the wood produced; however, to reach this objective, it is necessary to know which parameters can be used as predictors of a tree’s aged condition. The objective of this research was to study parameters that are measurable in nursery seedlings and that could be used in prediction models of basic density (BDt), modulus of elasticity (EMt), and strength (fmt) of wood from trees. The tests were performed in 240 seedlings (3 and 6 months old) and in 52 trees (72 months old) from seven genetic units of two species: three Eucalyptus clones and four Pinus pinaster progenies. In the seedlings, measurements of longitudinal velocity of ultrasonic waves (VLs), basic density (BDs), height (Hs), diameter (Ds), strength (fts), and modulus of elasticity (Ets) in tension parallel to the grain were obtained. The EMt and fmt can be predicted by parameters obtained in seedlings of the same genetic unit. Thus, the use of these parameters, in association with others already used in selection programs, may increase the positive results of the early selection, with economic gains and time reductions in forest management.