Northwestern Minas Gerais Research Articles

Morphotectonic and morphostructural investigation in northwestern Minas Gerais State, Brazil: a lineament mapping assessment

This study aimed to investigate whether linear natural features are associated with structural or tectonic control of landforms and current drainage patterns in northwestern Minas Gerais State (Southeastern Brazil). To answer this question, more than 1,700 lineaments were manually mapped in a broader area encompassing the Paracatu and Urucuia River catchments. One satellite image scene (Operational Land Imager/Landsat-8), three different digital elevation models (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer-Global digital elevation model, and Advanced Land Observing Satellite-Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar), and digitised analogical maps (geologic and topographic maps) were used to draw linear geometric features representing the lineament population. The resulting vector databases were integrated in a Geographic Information System for quantitative and spatial analyses, which resulted in two main trending lineament sets: NNW-SSE and NE-SW. Subsequent field assessments revealed that numerous lineaments from the first set were correlated to the formerly Upper Precambrian reverse and strike-slip faults. The second set were correlated to NE-SW normal faults derived from the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic event following the breakup of Gondwana. These datasets contribute to a better understanding of the regional-, sub-regional-, and catchment-scale features underlying the structural control of the drainage network arrangement and pattern, which present long straight channels and are interrupted by anomalous and prominent bends that strictly fit major structural directions.

Using morphometric and geomorphic indices to assess Western São Francisco Craton neotectonic traces

Recently, geomorphometric properties of river networks and catchments have been described and applied as an efficient tool in the investigation of the landforms' response to neotectonics. Geometric parameters of the Cotovelo River catchment extracted from an Alos-Palsar digital elevation model were used to compute morphometric and geomorphic indices to investigate whether the bedrock structure and recent active tectonics influence the local drainage network. The Cotovelo catchment is situated in the Middle to Upper Proterozoic western foreland basin of the São Francisco craton, in northwestern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil; it is presumed to be a stable piece of earth’s crust. The automatically generated streams were processed at the sub-catchment scale to calculate the hypsometric integral, relief ratio, stream frequency, and drainage density morphometric indices as well as supported a geomorphic study based on the basin shape, asymmetry factor, valley floor width-to-height ratio, mountain front sinuosity, transverse topographic symmetry factor, and stream-length gradient index. Achieved results revealed recent and low-rate tectonic activity and structural control on the fluvial morphology. Prominent knickpoints, aligned with mapped fault scarps, disclose straight erosive fronts away from stratigraphic borders, indicating these features are unrelated to lithological changes. Despite the catchment location, the area exhibits impressive fluvial anomalies, and dissection occurs preferentially along ancient faults and fractures densely occurring in the rocky strata. Channel parallelism in context of medium to high relief and steep slopes, remarkably structurally drive fluvial dissection, asymmetric and elongated drainage catchments, and aligned landforms suggest neotectonic influence on the drainage network.

THE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WOOD AND CHARCOAL PRODUCTION BY Eucalyptus REFORESTATION IN NORTHWESTERN MINAS GERAIS

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze economically the production of wood and charcoal from a Eucalyptus plantation stratified in three classes of productivity in northwestern Minas Gerais. Were used data from not thinned Eucalyptus stands whose area was stratified in high, medium and low productivity, being described by the logistic model. The data were obtained and the economic evaluation of wood production and charcoal production was carried out. The economic evaluation was made by means of the indicators: Net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) as a function of the prices of wood and charcoal, the yield of wood in charcoal and the transport distance of wood to the charcoal production unit. The economic viability of production of Eucalyptus wood and charcoal depends on the productive capacity of the forest stand. The viability of timber and charcoal production is sensitive to the variations in the prices of both, the yield of wood in charcoal and the transport distance from the production area to the processing unit.

Associations between Emesinae heteropterans and spiders in limestone caves of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

Emesine bugs, within several genera, are recorded from caves around the world, but have been regarded as uncommon in these habitats. Many emesines have ecological relationships with spiders, as kleptoparasites, predators, or both. However, cave emesines are apparently rarely involved in these arachnophilous relationships, and only two examples have been previously documented. Recent studies in limestone caves at Presidente Olegario in northwestern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil revealed the presence of four emesine species, two of which (Emesa mourei Wygodzinsky, 1946 and Phasmatocoris sp.) were associated with spiders, probably as kleptoparasites. The spiders recorded in these associations were Mesabolivar aff. tandilicus (Mello-Leitao, 1940) (Pholcidae) and Loxosceles similis Moenkhaus, 1898 (Sicariidae). The only non-emesine reduviid recorded in Presidente Olegario caves was Zelurus zikani (Costa Lima, 1940). We discuss these rarely recorded associations between cave emesines and spiders and the importance of protecting Presidente Olegario caves.Keywords: Arachnophily, Reduviidae, Pholcidae, Sicariidae, subterranean environment.

Growth dynamics of rubber tree clones in northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the growth of rubber tree clones ( Hevea brasiliensis (Willd.exA.Juss.) Müll. Arg.) in the Northwest region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Randomized blocks, constituted of three treatments (rubber tree clones) and four repetitions were used, and evaluated as plots subdivided in time. Subplots represent the evaluations carried out at the ages 62, 77, 87, 99, 113 and 128 months after planting. It was evaluated survival, stem circumference and total plant height. Current annual increment and average annual increment of circumference and also the number of trees fit for rubber tapping were calculated. Results obtained indicate that clones GT 1, IAN 2880, IAC 15, RRIM 600, PB 235 and IAN 3156 have potential to establish under local edaphoclimatic conditions. Increase in plant height and stem circumference throughout the evaluation period makes it evident that the clones have different growing paces in the studied region. Clones GT 1, IAN 3087, IAN 3156 and PR 255 had larger stalk circumference at 128 months, and PR 255 was the only one fit for rubber tapping at the age of 128 months after planting.

Management in a neotropical show cave: planning for invertebrates conservation

Lapa Nova is a dolomitic cave about 4.5 km long located in northwestern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The cave experiences intense tourism, concentrated over a single period of the year, during the Feast of Our Lady of Lapa. In order to evaluate the impacts felt by the invertebrate community from this tourism, a new methodology was proposed. Four types of areas (intense visitation area, outlying visitation areas, moderate visitation areas and no-visitation areas) were sampled for invertebrates. There was one sampling prior and another on the last day of the 128th feast, to evaluate the effects of visitation on cave-dwelling invertebrates. Results show that invertebrate populations residing in more intensely visited areas of the cave undergo changes in distribution following the event. As a consequence of tourism, invertebrates shift to outlying locations from the visited area, which serve as refuges to the communities. Apparently, the fact that there are places inside Lapa Nova inaccessible to tourists reduces the impact suffered by the invertebrate community, as those sites serve as refuges for cave-dwelling organisms during the pilgrimage. A proper management plan was devised for the tourism/religious use of the cave. It consists basically of delimiting marked pathways for tourists, allowing invertebrates to seek shelter at locations outside visited areas and keeping no-visitation areas off-limits to tourism based on the results of the visitation effects on cave-dwelling invertebrates.

Socio-climatic hotspots in Brazil

Brazil suffers yearly from extreme weather and climate events, which can be exacerbated in a warmer climate. Although several studies have analyzed the projections of climate change in Brazil, little attention has been paid to defining the locations that can be most affected, and consequently have a more vulnerable population, in a spatially-explicit form. This study presents a spatial analysis of summarized climate change data and a joint investigation combining these possible climate changes and social vulnerability indicators in Brazil. The Regional Climate Change Index (RCCI), which can synthesize a large number of climate model projections, is used for the climate analysis, and the Socio-Climatic Vulnerability Index (SCVI) is proposed to aggregate local population vulnerabilities to the climate change information. The RCCI results show climatic hotspots emerging in Brazil, covering the western portion of the Northeast (NE), northwestern Minas Gerais state and center-western (CW) and northern regions (N), except northeast Para and Amapa states. The SCVI analysis reveals major socio-climatic hotspots in the NE and several localized hotspots in some of the major Brazilian metropolitan regions, namely Manaus, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The two novelties of this study are a spatially detailed analysis of the RCCI in Brazil and the development of an index that can summarize the large amount of climate model information available today with social vulnerability indicators. Both indices may be important tools for improving the dialogue between climate and social scientists and for communicating climate change to policymakers in a more synthetic and socially relevant form.

Comparing silvopastoral systems and prospects in eight regions of the world

Silvopasture systems combine trees, forage, and livestock in a variety of different species and management regimes, depending on the biophysical, economic, cultural, and market factors in a region. We describe and compare actual farm practices and current research trials of silvopastoral systems in eight regions within seven countries of the world: Misiones and Corrientes provinces, Argentina; La Pampa province, Argentina; northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil; the Aysén region of Patagonia, Chile; the North Island of New Zealand; the Southeast United States; Paraguay; and Uruguay. Some countries use native trees and existing forests; some use plantations, particularly of exotic species. Natural forest silvopasture systems generally add livestock in extensive systems, to capture the benefits of shade, forage, and income diversification without much added inputs. Plantation forest systems are more purposive and intensive, with more focus on joint production and profits, for small owners, large ranches, and timber companies. Trends suggest that more active management of both natural and planted silvopastoral systems will be required to enhance joint production of timber and livestock, achieve income diversification and reduce financial risk, make more profit, improve environmental benefits, and realize more resilience to adapt to climate change.

Gestão geoambiental de bacias hidrográficas: os sistemas geológicos como fase inicial de decisão para uso da terra

After the mapping of the Paracatu River basin (Northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil) was updated on a scale of 1:250,000, it was possible to elaborate the rationale for the methodology of geo-environmental/geosystems management as part of a broad management methodology, under development since 1998. It presents as the first step to verify the relationship between rocks, landforms, and soils with which one can explore possibilities and potential land use for agricultural production, forestry, rural industrial, energy production, and civil works. With the framework of potentials based on geosystems, it was possible to make an evaluation analysis about the terms of settlement or inconvenience of the land current uses, the possibilities for expansion of uses, and the requirements for mitigation under the terms of the substrate stability. With the mapping at the 1:250,000 scale, it was possible to establish a regional vision provide the indicative scale studies and local decision-making that still involves a number of other sciences, engineering as well as the econometric models. This article presented the procedures of the first stage of the aid business decision making, step-by-step.

The orchid bee fauna (Hymenoptera, Apidae) of a core area of the Cerrado, Brazil: the role of riparian forests as corridors for forest-associated bees

The composition of local orchid-bee faunas (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossina) in open-vegetation domains is poorly known, making the ecology and biogeography of the group difficult to understand. The aim of this work was to answer the following questions: i) Is the orchid-bee fauna composition, species richness and abundance in the cerrado (Brazilian savanna) sensu stricto similar to that of riparian forests immersed in that domain? ii) Do species from neighboring forest domains use riparian forests as mesic corridors into the Cerrado? Two sites in cerrado s.s. and two in riparian forests were sampled monthly, one day per month, during one year (Nov/2003-Oct/2004) in northwestern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Six aromatic compounds (β-ionone, 1,8-cineole, eugenol, methyl trans-cinnamate, methyl salicilate and vanillin) were exposed from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM to attract orchid bees. The results suggest that: i) The composition of the orchid bee fauna in the two kinds of environments is the same; ii) Riparian forests apparently have no role as mesic corridors for penetration of forest-dependent euglossine species into the core of the Cerrado Domain.

Unimontes solidária: interação comunitária e prática médica com a extensão

A extensão universitária é um processo educativo, cultural e científico, que articula o ensino e a pesquisa de forma indissociável, possibilitando uma relação transformadora entre Universidade e sociedade. Nesse contexto, o projeto Unimontes Solidária tem como objetivo promover ação solidária articulada, por meio dos diversos cursos da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Unimontes), nos municípios carentes das regiões norte e noroeste de Minas Gerais, Vales do Jequitinhonha e do Mucuri, de forma a equacionar os problemas sociais, reduzir a exclusão e as disparidades regionais, colocando a serviço da sociedade o conhecimento que é produzido na Universidade. As ações do projeto no município de Indaiabira (MG) proporcionaram benefícios tanto aos acadêmicos do curso de Medicina como à comunidade local, a partir das atividades extracurriculares desenvolvidas, ampliando o espaço de aprendizado oferecido pela instituição, complementando a formação acadêmica, bem como amenizando as demandas inerentes ao município relacionadas à saúde. Pesquisar, aprender sobre temas relacionados e estender o conhecimento adquirido à comunidade é a tríade que sustenta a formação acadêmica nas mais modernas metodologias de ensino.

The birds of Fazenda Brejão: a conservation priority area of Cerrado in northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Cerrado is now considered the most threatened biome of South America. Northwestern Minas Gerais state, in southeastern Brazil, still harbors large areas of extreme importance for biological conservation of the Cerrado. The current study provides the first thorough assessment of the avifauna of a large remnant of Cerrado vegetation in this region, the Fazenda Brejão. Data are based on a bird survey conducted from November 1998 to January 2007. This area is a private property of 20.000 ha preserved that lies in a region recognized for its palm groves, a pristine Cerrado (savannah-like vegetation) and gallery forests. Bird censuses were carried out through random transects censuses, mist-net captures and recording bird vocalizations. It was recorded 273 species, belonging to 56 families. This represents 32% of all 857 bird species recorded for the Cerrado. Palm groves held approximately 42% of all recorded species. We also recorded endemic species of Cerrado as well as adjacent biomes such as the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga. Regional threatened species were also recorded such as the Greater Rhea Rhea americana, the Chestnut-bellied Guan Penelope ochrogaster, the Bare-faced Curassow Crax fasciolata, the Black-and-white Hawk-eagle Spizastur melanoleucus, the Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna, the Yellow-faced Parrot Alipiopsitta xanthops and the Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei. This species diversity reveals the biological importance of the region. The establishment of a natural reserve in the region will be an essential measure to guarantee the biological conservation of one of the best preserved areas of Cerrado to date in southeastern Brazil.

Estratigrafia do Grupo Bambuí e coberturas fanerozóicas no vale do rio São Francisco, norte de Minas Gerais

This work presents the results of extensive geological mapping over 40.000 km² in northwestern Minas Gerais. Basement rocks (mostly Archean gneiss) crop out locally. The most important rocks ocurring in the study area are: carbonate and terrigenous rocks belonging to the Neoproterozoic Bambuí Group, Cretaceous sandstones of the Urucuia Group and Cenozoic sediments. The distribution of the Bambuí Group in the area is the result of the paleogeography of the basement and also of tectonic processes. Basement exposures were identified in paleo-highs (Alto de Januária) and local depocenters in the southern and eastern portions of the study area. The thickness of the Bambuí Group increases substantially in these areas. The Sete Lagoas Formation, represented by a shallow platform succession, is made up of limestones and dolomites. This unit crops out, exclusively, in the western margin of the São Francisco River. Medium units of the Bambuí Group, Serra de Santa Helena formation (siltstones and dark limestones lenses) and Lagoa do Jacaré formation (oolitic/intraclastic limestones, siltstones and marlstones) are widely distributed in the study area. A detailed petrologic study of carbonates of the Lagoa do Jacaré formation around Lontra region (southern part of the study area) showed an important facies variability for this unit. Serra da Saudade Formation (siltstones and shales) and Três Marias Formation (sandstones, arkoses and siltstones) crop out only in the eastern and southern borders of the study area. Both units present different local depocenters as compared to the lower formations.

Estratigrafia do Grupo Bambuí e coberturas fanerozóicas no vale do rio São Francisco, norte de Minas Gerais

This work presents the results of extensive geological mapping over 40.000 km² in northwestern Minas Gerais. Basement rocks (mostly Archean gneiss) crop out locally. The most important rocks ocurring in the study area are: carbonate and terrigenous rocks belonging to the Neoproterozoic Bambui Group, Cretaceous sandstones of the Urucuia Group and Cenozoic sediments. The distribution of the Bambui Group in the area is the result of the paleogeography of the basement and also of tectonic processes. Basement exposures were identified in paleo-highs (Alto de Januaria) and local depocenters in the southern and eastern portions of the study area. The thickness of the Bambui Group increases substantially in these areas. The Sete Lagoas Formation, represented by a shallow platform succession, is made up of limestones and dolomites. This unit crops out, exclusively, in the western margin of the Sao Francisco River. Medium units of the Bambui Group, Serra de Santa Helena formation (siltstones and dark limestones lenses) and Lagoa do Jacare formation (oolitic/intraclastic limestones, siltstones and marlstones) are widely distributed in the study area. A detailed petrologic study of carbonates of the Lagoa do Jacare formation around Lontra region (southern part of the study area) showed an important facies variability for this unit. Serra da Saudade Formation (siltstones and shales) and Tres Marias Formation (sandstones, arkoses and siltstones) crop out only in the eastern and southern borders of the study area. Both units present different local depocenters as compared to the lower formations.

A New Species of Chaunus from Central Brazil (Anura; Bufonidae)

A new species of Chaunus, apparently related to Chaunus arenarum, Chaunus rubescens, and Chaunus achavali is described. The new species occupies Cerrado habitats in southwestern Piauí and Bahia states and in northwestern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The species is characterized by anterior interruption of the supraocular crest; weakly developed cranial crests; short and robust limbs; several pointed spiculae on dorsum, head, and limbs; male coloration; small to medium size; and by the short and narrow head.

THE GENUS STENOCERCUS (SQUAMATA: TROPIDURIDAE) IN EXTRA-AMAZONIAN BRAZIL, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SPECIES

The genus Stenocercus includes over 50 species, distributed mainly in elevated areas in the Andes and adjacent lowlands, with only a few taxa known to occur in Brazil. The easternmost populations of the genus are poorly studied and represented in collections. Herein we describe Stenocercus quinarius sp. n. from northwestern Minas Gerais and western Bahia states, and Stenocercus squarrosus sp. n. from the southern portion of the state of Piaui, two previously poorly sampled areas in central and northeastern Brazil. The two new species seem closely related to Stenocercus dumerilii and Stenocercus tricristatus, but are easily diagnosed from all Stenocercus and from each other based on morphometric and meristic characters. The distribution patterns and possible phylogenetic affinities of the eastermost, pyramidal headed Stenocercus group are discussed, along with an overview of distribution patterns of the genus in extra-amazonian open domains.

Effects of genetic variability and habitat of Qualea parviflora (Vochysiaceae) on herbivory by free-feeding and gall-forming insects.

Differences in the chemical and physical traits of plants caused by both genetic and habitat characteristics may influence attack by herbivores. Leaves of Qualea parviflora (Vochysiaceae), a common tree of different habitats in the Brazilian Neotropical savannas (cerrado), are susceptible to severe attack by herbivorous free-living and gall-forming insects. Attack by free-living and gall-forming insects within and between populations of Q. parviflora were examined and it was determined to what extent genetic variability (detected by RAPD markers), phenotypic characteristics of the plants and habit traits influence the number of free-living and gall-forming insect species and individuals attacking the plants, and the intensity of attack. On four occasions in 2000, leaves were sampled from ten individual trees in each of three types of vegetation in the cerrado: campo sujo, cerrado sensu stricto and cerradão at the Ecological Station of Pirapitinga (ESP), in Três Marias, north-western Minas Gerais, Brazil. Genetic variability was detected by RAPD markers, and concentrations of nutrients, phenols and tannins, sclerophylly and pre-dawn water potential of leaves were measured. Water and nutrient contents in the soil below each tree characterized the habitat. The free-living and gall-forming herbivorous insects were determined. Of 69 RAPD markers analysed, 41 were polymorphic and were used for analyses of genetic variability of Q. parviflora. Most of the variability occurred within habitats, accounting for 97.65 % of the genetic variability. Plants in the cerrado sensu stricto and campo sujo were the most similar. There were no significant associations between genetic similarity and the chemical and physical traits of Q. parviflora, or with habitat, nor was there significant correlation between phenotypic and habitat traits. Increasing concentrations of tannins and sulphur, C : N ratio and sclerophylly correlated with increasing percentage of leaf area damaged by herbivores. Decreased sclerophylly, concentration of tannins and C : N ratio, and increased concentration of nutrients in leaves correlated with increased severity of attack by gall-forming insects. Nutrient concentration in the soil had more influence, indirectly, on free-feeding insects than did composition of Q. parviflora leaves. However, gall-forming insects are affected more by leaf quality, attacking fewer sclerophyllous leaves, with larger nutrient but smaller tannin concentrations.

Major element geochemistry and geomorphic relationships in Brazilian Cerrado soils

A thorough understanding of major and trace element geochemistry is important in assessing the impacts of rapid agriculturalization and increased human occupation of the Cerrado region of central Brazil, a region with some of the oldest soils on Earth. The objectives of this paper are to summarize the major element composition of Cerrado soils in the context of their morphology and geomorphology, to describe impacts of biogeochemical cycling on the chemical properties of Cerrado soils, and to use elemental data to provide insights on the possible origin of soil parent materials on the South American erosion surface and on the Serra Geral Basalts. We sampled three major subregions selected to be representative of the main areas of the Cerrado, namely: (i) eastern Goiás, (ii) northwestern Minas Gerais, and (iii) the Triângulo Mineiro area of western Minas Gerais. Five soils were sampled in each subregion, each represented by three pedons sampled at 0–0.2 and 0.8–1.0 m depths. Geomorphologically, the soils were on the South American, Velhas I, and Velhas II erosion surfaces. All sites were carefully selected to minimize potential anthropogenic contamination. General chemical characterization was by standard procedures and total major and trace elemental contents were quantified using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The soils ranged from loamy sands to clays, with Si (142–947 g kg −1 SiO 2), Al (14–439 g kg −1 Al 2O 3), Fe (10–331 g kg −1 Fe 2O 3), and Ti (3–101 g kg −1 TiO 2) contents closely following the clay contents. Organic C averaged 17 g kg −1 for the surface, and 7 g kg −1 for the subsurface horizons. The Na, Ca, Mg, and K contents were very low, tended to be higher in surface than in subsurface horizons because of recycling by vegetation and addition due to atmospheric deposition, and were higher in soils containing hard plinthite nodules. The Th/Zr ratios suggest that the parent materials of the clayey soils on the South American erosion surface have a common origin in sediments from rocks in the Central Plateau of Brazil that were transported eastwards to cover the underlying sandstone. Trace element signatures indicate that basalt-derived soils occurring at different elevations in the Triângulo Mineiro area formed from distinctly different magmas that may have been deposited in different basalt flow events.

Variações genéticas em populações de Eucalyptus spp. detectadas por meio de marcadores moleculares

A tecnologia de marcadores moleculares, aliada às técnicas clássicas do melhoramento, pode contribuir significativamente para o conhecimento básico da cultura e do caráter estudado e para a geração e o desenvolvimento de produtos melhorados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar marcadores RAPD para detectar e maximizar a variabilidade genética em genótipos Eucalyptus, identificando cruzamentos favoráveis para um programa de melhoramento florestal, visando o uso múltiplo. Foram analisados 44 genótipos de híbridos naturais do gênero Eucalyptus, plantados na região noroeste de Minas Gerais. Os marcadores moleculares RAPD apresentaram poder de discriminação eficiente entre os 44 genótipos avaliados, constatando-se uma distância genética média entre os genótipos de Eucalyptus de 54% e divergência genética variando de 24 a 73%. Este fato indica que entre os indivíduos analisados existe uma ampla base genética, o que possibilita a manipulação desse material em programas de melhoramento. A distância genética entre os genótipos 5 e 9; 9 e 10; 9 e 19; 9 e 25; 9 e 33; 9 e 35; 9 e 36; 9 e 44; 10 e 33; 12 e 19; 12 e 33; e 12 e 39 apresentou-se maior ou igual a 70%. A análise de agrupamento estabelecida, utilizando UPGMA e o critério de corte de 80% da distância genética total, permitiu a formação de nove grupos distintos. Esses grupos apresentaram divergência genética média superior a 60%. A maior média de distância ocorreu entre o grupo I e os demais, com 67%. A avaliação por marcadores moleculares RAPD forneceu uma identificação direta da variação genética dos genótipos e, neste sentido, novos cruzamentos para produção de híbridos específicos poderão ser gerados, aumentando, assim, a divergência genética e a produtividade de derivados de madeira de qualidade superior para usos múltiplos em programas de melhoramento florestal.

Propriedades e classificação da madeira aplicadas à seleção de genótipos de Eucalyptus

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram classificar e selecionar genótipos superiores de eucalipto por meio das propriedades de sua madeira, utilizando como ferramenta a análise de agrupamento, método de otimização de Tocher, com o intuito de obter múltiplos produtos. Foram utilizados 44 genótipos de eucaliptos, adaptados para as condições ambientais do noroeste de Minas Gerais. Para classificação dos materiais foram utilizadas características físicas, de resistência mecânica e químicas da madeira. Os resultados da análise de agrupamento classificaram os 44 genótipos em 11 grupos distintos, com alta variabilidade ou divergência entre si. De acordo com os valores médios das características apresentadas pelos grupos formados, foi possível definir novos clones de potencial, que certamente forneceram madeira de qualidade superior para atender a diversos usos. Os genótipos pertencentes aos grupos V, VI e VIII apresentam potencial favorável à produção de madeira serrada. Eles possibilitarão, também, a geração de híbridos artificiais a serem usados em futuros programas de melhoramento genético de Eucalyptus.