Pulp Production Research Articles

Transpiration rates from mature Eucalyptus grandis × E. nitens clonal hybrid and Pinus elliottii plantations near the Two Streams Research Catchment, South Africa

Abstract. Pine plantations are the dominant species currently planted within the South African commercial forestry industry. Improvements in bio-economy markets for dissolving wood pulp products have seen an expansion in fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations due to their higher productivity rates and better pulping properties than pine. This has raised concerns regarding the expansion of Eucalyptus plantations and how they will affect water resources as they have been reported to have higher water use (quantified using transpiration rates) than pine. We measured transpiration rates (mm yr−1), diameter at breast height (quantified as quadratic mean diameter, Dq, m) and leaf area index of an 8-year-old Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus nitens clonal hybrid (GN) and a 20-year-old Pinus elliottii. Transpiration rates were measured for two consecutive hydrological years (2019/20 and 2020/21) using a heat ratio sap-flow method, calibrated against a lysimeter. In the 2019/20 year, annual transpiration for P. elliottii exceeded GN by 28 %, while for the 2020/21 hydrological year, there was no significant difference between the transpiration of the two species, despite a 17 % and 21 % greater leaf area index for P. elliottii than GN in 2019/20 and 2020/21 measurement years respectively. Quadratic mean diameter increments were statistically similar (p > 0.05) in 2019/20, whereas the 2020/21 year produced significant differences (p<0.05). Tree transpiration is known to be influenced by climatic variables; therefore, a random forest regression model was used to test the level of influence between tree transpiration and climatic parameters. The soil water content, solar radiation and vapour pressure deficit were found to highly influence transpiration, suggesting these variables can be used in future water-use modelling studies. The profile water content recharge was influenced by rainfall events. After rainfall and soil profile water recharge, there was a rapid depletion of soil water by the GN trees, while the soil profile was depleted more gradually at the P. elliottii site. As a result, trees at the GN site appeared to be water stressed (reduced stem diameters and transpiration), suggesting that there was limited access to alternative water source (such as groundwater). The study concluded that previous long-term paired catchment studies indicate that eucalypts use more water than pine; however, periods of soil water stress and reduced transpiration observed in this study must be accommodated in hydrological models. Long-term total soil water balance studies are recommended in the same region to understand the long-term impact of commercial plantations on water resources.

Characteristics of black liquor after alkaline delignification of paulownia wood

The object of research is the black liquor of the alkaline pulping sample Paulownia Clone in Vitro 112® with active alkali consumption of 14, 18 and 22 % in Na2O units from the mass of completely dry raw materials. The problem solved in the work is related to the formation of waste in the form of black liquor during pulp production. It is noted that as a result of the production of 1 ton of cellulose, up to 7 tons of black liquor is formed. In the course of the work, an analysis of the total titrated and active alkalinity in the white and black liquor after cooking paulownia wood was carried out, and the pH value was determined. The dependence of the content of dry substances in black liquor on the consumption of active alkali, the duration of cooking, the presence of a catalyst, and the final temperature of the delignification process is given. The amount of organic and mineral components of dry substances of black liquor per 1 ton of air-dry fibrous semi-finished products was calculated. It was established that with an increase in temperature by 20 °C (from 150 to 170 °C) and a duration of approximately 1.5 times (from 60 to 90 min and from 90 to 150 min), with the same consumption of active alkali and the use of a catalyst in the conditions after sodium pulping, the content of dry substances in the black liquor increases by 1.5–3 %. This regularity is explained by the transition into the solution of a greater number of dissolution products of lignin, hemicelluloses, and mineral substances. Estimated values for the content of mineral and organic substances in black liquor after cooking paulownia wood for a duration of 150 min and a final temperature of 170 °C at different consumptions of active alkali and the use of catalysts in the form of anthraquinone and ethyl alcohol are within the range of 1024-1518 kg per 1 ton dry pulps of normal yield and can be used in practice. The obtained results can be used to form an assessment of the black liquor as an additional resource potential for the economy of production.

Intensification of moisture separation in the pulp convective drying process with ultrasound-assisted method

Traditional pulp convective drying (CD) is time-consuming and energy-intensive. This study aimed to assess the drying performance of pulp using ultrasound-assisted drying (UAD) and compared it with CD to intensify moisture separation. UAD was found to be fast and efficient with high effective moisture diffusivity of 2.77 × 10–10 ∼ 3.20 × 10–10 m2/s, low activation energy of 20.2 kJ/mol, and short drying time of 21.0 ∼ 16.5 min. It demonstrated that applying ultrasound could promote moisture separation with 26 %∼42 % reductions in drying time and 42 %∼22 % savings in energy consumption. The constant rate period was not presented and no significant differences in drying rates were observed when the moisture ratio was below 0.43 under the investigated conditions. The kinetics modeling results indicated that the Page model was the best to predict the pulp drying kinetics for both methods. It may lead to an alternative efficient approach for decarbonizing the drying process in pulp and paper production.

INFLUENCE OF THE PATTERN OF THE COMBINED GRINDING SET OF THE DISC MILL ON INDIVIDUAL PAPER-FORMING PROPERTIES OF FIBROUS SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCTS AND THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT

The improvement of the process of grinding fibrous semi-finished products in pulp and paper production is caused by a reduction in the raw material base, requirements for the quality of finished products, as well as the desire to reduce production energy costs. Changing the grinding parameters allows you to change the properties and characteristics of the resulting materials in a wide range. The main controlled parameters of the grinding process are the gap between the rotor and stator disks, the rotor speed, the concentration of the fibrous mass. One of the important parameters of the grinding process is also the design of the grinding set. The article considers the influence of various configurations of cavities of the combined grinding set of a disc mill on the properties of the fibrous mass and finished paper castings. Individual paper-forming properties were evaluated, including the increase in the degree of grinding of the fibrous mass and the length of the fiber, as well as the physical and mechanical characteristics of the finished castings, which include the breaking length of the paper, the number of double folds and the tear resistance index. The grinding was carried out on a semi-industrial disc mill using a combined grinding set. For comparison, wavy and conical grinding cavities with straight unidirectional knives were selected. It was revealed that the wave-shaped grinding cavity has higher quality indicators in comparison with the conical grinding cavity by the nature of the impact on the fibrous mass.

Microwave wood chip treatment use in chemical pulp manufacturing (technical-economic assessment)

The low permeability of many wood species causes problems in the chemical pulp industry. These include very long cooking times, high chemical consumption, large material losses, high energy consumption, and environmental pollution. New microwave (MW) wood modification technology can provide an increase in wood permeability for liquids and gases that solves many of these problems. MW wood pre-treatment can increase pulp mill throughput, reduce chemical and power consumption, increase pulp quality and yield, and improve environmental performance. Economic modelling of this new technology use in different chemical pulp mill conditions allowed to assess the effect of capital costs, electricity costs, labour costs and other cost components to specific total costs of MW chip processing. MW chip treatment costs for pulp mills with output 50,000 to 500,000 ait dry ton (ADT) per year at electricity cost range US$0.04 to US$0.24/kWh vary in the range from US$17.7 to US$60.8 per air dry ton of pulp. Electricity costs form the most significant part – 51- 69% of the total specific costs of MW chip processing at electricity costs US$0.08 to US$0.12/kWh. New technology applications in different Russian conditions can provide benefits up to 7 – 22 Mil US$ per year for pulp mills with output of more than 200,000 ADT/year. The ecological effect and high economic advantages of this MW technology provide a good opportunity for commercialisation.

Chemical properties, crystallinity, and fiber biometry of Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) wood for pulp raw material: the effect of age and position

Abstract Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) is a promising plant species with straight, visually pleasing trunks that can be harvested at a young age as a resource for pulp and paper production due to the rapid growth rate possessed. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the chemical composition and fiber biometry of 3, 6, and 9-year-old Jabon wood, determining their suitability as a pulp and paper raw material. Samples were collected from both stem and branch sections and analyzed according to the Tappi standard. Fiber cell maceration was conducted to enable the precise measurement of fiber dimensions and derivatives. The results showed high cellulose, holocellulose, and lignin content in Jabon wood, with low to moderate levels of extractives and ash. Additionally, the crystallinity index (CrI) increased with age, particularly from 3 to 9 years old. The branch of the plant, with Grade II fiber derivative quality, had lower CrI compared to the stem, while the inner stem showed a lesser value than the outer part. In conclusion, 3-year-old Jabon wood is a potential raw material for pulp and paper production.

Effect of NaOH Concentration in The Pulping Process on Yield and Organoleptic of Art Paper from Citronella Distillation Waste

Many types of paper are on the market according to their intended use. Art paper is a type of paper with an attractive appearance, aesthetically rich in natural and unique nuances used by most craftsmen. Making art paper usually uses cellulose fiber that comes from trees, so it has an impact on deforestation. This research aims to use fragrant citronella waste as an alternative to trees as raw material for paper. Lemon grass and the availability of distillate waste which has a high enough cellulose content as a raw material for paper. The method in this study is the manufacture of pulp through the alkaline method. The analysis of organoleptic properties includes surface texture, appearance, color, and degree of whiteness. The treatment in making art paper is the difference in NaOH concentration of 5%, 7%, 9%, 11% and 13%. Analysis of organoleptic properties includes surface texture, appearance, colour, and degree of whiteness. The design used in this study was a completely randomised design with 3 replications. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Duncan's test at a significant level of 0.05.. The results showed that the yield of citronella distillation waste pulp ranged from 32.53 to 34.59%. The organoleptic properties of citronella waste art paper panelists' assessment of art paper products varied greatly. Brighter colors tend to be preferred over brownish colors, the rough texture and the appearance of visible fibers make art paper more attractive. The degree of whiteness of the resulting art paper ranges from 43.39 – 48.95%

Quantification of elemental sulfur in pulping liquors by thin-layer chromatography

The inorganic sulfur compounds that are used as pulping agents in the production of pulp and paper from wood are converted into a variety of sulfur species during processing. How sulfur is allocated to different streams and products in a pulp mill is relevant for efficient mill operation and to avoid harmful emissions. Pulping liquors are a highly challenging and potentially destructive sample matrix. We describe a thin-layer chromatographic method for the direct quantification of elemental sulfur in pulping liquors. The liquors are spotted (not sprayed!) directly onto the plate without prior purification, extraction, or workup. Sulfur is then eluted with cyclo-hexane and detected by densitometry at 285 nm or fluorescence quenching close to the solvent front. The method was validated for a calibrated range from 60 to 2000 ng sulfur on plate. The limit of detection was determined at 20 ng; measurement uncertainty was about 20%. With this method, 27–54 mg/L elemental sulfur were found in Kraft pulping liquors, which corresponds to 0.24–0.48% of the total sulfur in these samples.

Financial influence on global risks of zoonotic emerging and re-emerging diseases: an integrative analysis

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), such as Ebola virus disease and highly pathogenic influenza, are serious threats to human health and wellbeing worldwide. The financial sector has an important, yet often ignored, influence as owners and investors in industries that are associated with anthropogenic land-use changes in ecosystems linked to increased EIDs risks. We aimed to analyse financial influence associated with EIDs risks that are affected by anthropogenic land-use changes. We also aimed to provide empirical assessments of such influence to help guide engagements by governments, private organisations, and non-governmental organisations with the financial sector to advance a planetary health agenda. For this integrative analysis, we identified regions in the world where there was evidence of a connection between EIDs and anthropogenic land-use changes between Nov 9, 1999, and Oct 25, 2021, through a targeted literature review of academic literature and grey literature to identify evidence of drivers of anthropogenic land-use change and their association with commodity production in these regions. We only included publications in English that showed a connection between deforestation and the production of one or more commodities. Publications merely describing spatial or temporal land-use change dynamics (eg, a reduction of forest or an increase of palm-oil plantations) were excluded. As we were assessing financial influence on corporate activities through ownership specifically, we focused our analysis on publicly listed companies. Equity data and data about ownership structure were extracted from Orbis, a company information database. We assessed financial influence by identifying financial entities with the largest equity ownership, descriptively mapping transboundary connections between investors and publicly listed companies. 227 public and private companies operating in five economic sectors (ie, production of palm oil, pulp and wood products, cocoa, soybeans, and beef) between Dec 15, 2020, and March 8, 2021, were identified. Of these 227, 99 (44%) were publicly listed companies, with 2310 unique shareholders. These publicly listed companies operated in six geographical regions, resulting in nine case-study regions. 54 (55%) companies with complete geographical information were included in the countries network. Four financial entities (ie, Dimensional, Vanguard, BlackRock, and Norway's sovereign wealth fund) each had ownership in 39 companies or more in three of the case-study regions (ie, north America, east Asia, and Europe). Four large US-based asset managers (ie, Vanguard, BlackRock, T Rowe Price, and State Street) were the largest owners of publicly listed companies in terms of total equity size, with ownership amounts for these four entities ranging from US$8 billion to $21 billion. The specific patterns of cross-national ownership depended on the region of interest; for example, financial influence on EIDs risks that was associated with commodity production in southeast and east Asia came from not only global asset managers but also Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean financial entities. India, Brazil, the USA, Mexico, and Argentina were the countries towards which investments were most directed. Although commodity supply chains and financial markets are highly globalised, a small number of investors and countries could be viewed as disproportionally influential in sectors that increase EIDs risks. Such financial influence could be used to develop and implement effective policies to reduce ecological degradation and mitigate EIDs risks and their effects on population health. Formas and Networks of Financial Rupture-how cascading changes in the climate and ecosystems could impact on the financial sector.

Lignin Modification for Enhanced Performance of Polymer Composites.

The biopolymer lignin, which is heterogeneous and abundant, is usually present in plant cell walls and gives them rigidity and strength. As a byproduct of the wood, paper, and pulp manufacturing industry, lignin ranks as the second most prevalent biopolymer worldwide, following cellulose. This review paper explores the extraction, modification, and prospective applications of lignin in various industries, including the enhancement of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, biomedical applications such as vanillin production, fuel development, carbon fiber composites, and the creation of nanomaterials for food packaging and drug delivery. The structural characteristics of lignin remain undefined due to its origin, separation, and fragmentation processes. This comprehensive overview encompasses state-of-the-art techniques, potential applications, diverse extraction methods, chemical modifications, carbon fiber utilization, and the extraction of vanillin. Moreover, the review focuses on the utilization of lignin-modified polymer blends across multiple manufacturing sectors, providing insights into the advantages and limitations of this innovative approach for the development of environmentally friendly materials.

Instant Determination of Moisture and Bulk Density of Woodchips in Cellulose Industry

Purpose: This research aims to achieve the instantaneous determination of moisture content and bulk density of wood chips for energy generation and pulp production in the pulp and paper industry. Theoretical framework: The moisture content and bulk density of woodchips influence the quality of biomass for energy generation and cellulose production in various ways. These variables affect the calorific value, mass and volume of logistical transport, the quantity of reagents in the reactor for wood delignification, among other factors. For this reason, a quick and accurate evaluation of these factors in the field is of fundamental importance to improve industrial quality and productivity. Method: To achieve this goal, a pilot test was conducted using a capacitive sensor and a portable scale to determine the moisture and bulk density of wood chips. Calibration equations were developed in the laboratory for the sensor, correlating the readings with the actual moisture content of seven types of wood chips, including Eucalyptus spp. and Pinus spp. The results of field measurements using these equations were compared with the gravimetric method, as well as bulk density measurements. Results and conclusion: The moisture calibration equations showed a high correlation between the capacitive sensor and the gravimetric method. The field density results were similar to those obtained in the laboratory. It was concluded that the investigated methods show promise for use in the pulp and paper industry. Research implications: The validation and accuracy of portable instruments for the instantaneous determination of moisture content and bulk density of wood chips are of utmost importance for manufacturers of portable meters and for industries that use this raw material. Originality/value: The instantaneous determination of moisture content and bulk density can contribute to improving the energy and production efficiency of boilers that generate heat for pulp digesters. Moreover, it optimizes logistical transportation and quality control against the attack of xylophagous organisms, preventing waste of raw materials, which is essential for sustainable development.

Analysis of the commercial eucalyptus plantation sector in Uruguay from a macroeconomic perspective

The Uruguayan forest sector has developed based on commercial pine and eucalyptus plantations. This process has been based on the installation of vertically integrated companies, with foreign capital and some local capital, investment funds and medium and small industries. In addition to these groups, there are contractor companies in which several of the activities of the primary sector are outsourced, as well as some of the industry. Investment attraction factors are diverse and related not only to productive conditions, e.g., growth rates, but also to institutional conditions, e.g., macroeconomic stability. With the development of the forest sector, there is currently a preponderance of eucalyptus plantations over pine plantations. This characteristic has implications in terms of the products to be obtained and, therefore, the industries to be developed, and the markets to be accessed. The presentation analyzes the evolution of the participation of the forest sector in Uruguay's macroeconomy, considering its share in the country's exports as well as in international trade, with emphasis on the products obtained from eucalyptus plantations. The scope and limitations of the available data for Uruguay are considered. Finally, the importance of including the value of ecosystem services provided by the forest in the traditional macroeconomic valuation is discussed. Results show that Uruguay has an important participation in non-coniferous wood markets. According to FAO data, in 2022, Uruguay's production ranked 8th among non-coniferous pulpwood producing countries, after Chile, up one place from the previous year. The same year Uruguay ranked 10th in terms of production of bleached wood pulp. Furthermore, it is expected that the wood pulp will increase with the new operations of the third pulp mill. Furthermore, cellulose pulp ranked 3rd among Uruguay's export products in 2022, after beef and soybeans, and 2nd in the previous year. The results of this research are of interest to potential investors in the Uruguayan forest sector as well as to policymakers. Potential investors in the Uruguayan forest sector may find insights into the industry's growth potential. Policymakers can use this information to make informed decisions that support the development and regulation of the sector for the benefit of both the economy and the environment.

RAIZ’s eucalypt genetic improvement program: The path taken and new challenges

RAIZ is a forest and paper research institute, part of The Navigator Company, a Portuguese pulp and paper company. Its eucalypt genetic improvement program started in the mid-1980s, focused mainly on E. globulus, which is well suited to the local soil and climate conditions and has outstanding wood qualities for pulp and paper production. Initially, main selection criteria were growth, survival to drought conditions, wood density and pulp yield. Cloning was the main form to transfer results into operational plantations and, as a result, rooting ability was also a key trait for successful large-scale nursery plant production. These requirements were maintained for several decades during which the program has achieved substantial gains and the E. globulus clonal forest was a reality. Meanwhile, interspecific hybridization has been tested mainly to achieve higher drought and pest resistance. As a result, the clonal program includes several hybrids. Currently, 11 clones, including three hybrids, are in nursery large-scale production, with operational gains of 30-50% over unimproved stocks, in terms of pulp produced per hectare. In the last decade, more than 250 controlled-crosses were carried out, including 70 interspecific crosses. More than 400 new clones, including 50 hybrids, and approximately 400 seed lots, including 100 hybrids and other species lots, have been tested across over 140 sites. Advanced BLUP analysis techniques are used since mid-1990’s to support strategic planning decisions, including more than 125,000 records for survival, 85,000 records for height and diameter, 57,000 pilodyn and 6,000 NIR records, collected from 219 trials, and covering about 45,000 individual genotypes. Nevertheless, efforts to face climate changes must be intensified, especially to mitigate the effects of drought and pests that currently affect a substantial portion of the forest estate. In the last 3 years, more than 100 new genotypes were selected from hybrids progeny trials involving species such as E. grandis, E. viminalis, E. saligna, E. rudis, E. urophylla, and E. tereticornis. Their multiplication and testing are undergoing, and results are expected within 5 years. In addition, an expanded approach to further diversify and strengthen of eucalypt genetic pool is being implemented, introducing species like E. cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala, E. benthamii, E. melliodora, E. punctata, or E. dunnii, aiming to enhance resilience to environmental challenges and ensuring the sustainability of Portugal's eucalyptus forests.

Long-term growth data of plantation-grown Eucalyptus established in south-eastern Uruguay

Behind beef production, Eucalyptus logs oriented to kraft pulp production represent Uruguay's second-largest export product. In this context, the analysis of long-term growth data of plantation-grown Eucalyptus forests acquires a material relevance. A total of 2208 permanent plots representing longitudinal growth data of Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus maidenii, Eucalyptus dunnii, and Eucalyptus smithii trees were analyzed and modeled. The plots are part of a more extensive set established since 2012 on a forest state of over 22,000 ha planted. The selected plots were of variable shape, varying in size between 200 and 1000 m2. Both planted and coppiced areas were included. Tree-level data (diameter at the beast height and height) was measured on each plot over a different number of years. Plantation ages, at the time of measurement, ranged from 1 to 18 years. The forests were all planted for the first time under the context of degraded grasslands, where there was no other better alternative use for the land. Soils are not very deep, of medium-to-coarse texture, and have low natural fertility. The dominant land cover was grasslands. The results highlight the variability in site quality. Stand density varied between 100 and 2500 trees per ha (TPH), with a site index (SI) at base age 11 ranging between 12 and 38 m. A strong relationship between dominant height (DH) and standing volume (TV) is evident, reinforcing that SI is still a valuable quantity to represent site quality. A set of anamorphic SI curves fitted to the DH data showed that E. dunnii and E. smithii height far exceeds that of E. globulus and E. maidenii at the same age, with an average SI of 28 and 31 m, respectively. Similarly, a family of TV curves fitted to each species as a function of DH, TPH, basal area, and age showed that the implicit current annual growth (CAI), given the model form used, peaked between 7 and 9 years. Depending on the stocking and site index considered, the CAI varied; but, in all cases, the CAI of E. dunnii was the highest, followed by E. smithii, and then E. maidenii and E. globulus in descending order. As an example, for a fixed density of 1100 TPH, the peak CAI was almost 48.6 m3|ha|yr for E. dunnii (SI28), approximately 42.1 m3|ha|y for E. smithii (SI31), and 17.8-21.3 m3|ha|yr for E. maidenii and E. globulus (SI23).

Rooting screening in Eucalyptus dunnii clones: inverting the order in a clonal selection process

One of the main goals of a tree breeding program is to increase forest productivity, adaptation and profitability of forest plantations. Eucalyptus dunnii is a main species used for pulp production in Uruguay. Montes del Plata (MdP) is one of the largest forest companies in Uruguay and has been focused on the development, testing and deployment of E. dunnii clones to establish commercial plantations in Uruguay. MdP clonal strategy starts with the generation, testing and selection of families (Open-pollination and|or Control-pollination) with a breeding population with a wide genetic diversity in order to have a sustainable clonal program. Seeds from the best families are used for clonal development in a two-phase strategy that takes place in the company research nursery. On the first phase, all potential clones are screened for rooting and only the ones that root more than 60% go to the next phase. An average of 4,000 E. dunnii clones is evaluated every year, and 200 clones overpass 60% rooting threshold. This represents 5% of screened clones. The second phase is to produce plants in the nursey for the establishment of clonal trials in field, and, based on the performance, to select the candidate clones for deployment and breeding. Although the strategy and the breeding program are relatively young, promising results are seen. In the last 6 years, 1,225 E. dunnii clones developed by this rooting strategy were successfully established in clonal field trials. For species of Eucalyptus that have an undesirable trait of difficulty-to-root (recalcitrance), the screening of genotypes by rooting allows to establish in field testing clones with efficient clonal propagation. This way, the measurement and wood sampling in field trials is funnelled to clones that, if selected, could be scaled to clonal plantations.

Indicators of efficiency in operational crosses of Eucalyptus dunnii and hybrids in Montes del Plata: Current progress and challenges

One of the main goals of a tree breeding program is to increase forest productivity, adaptation and profitability of forest plantations. Eucalyptus dunnii is a main species used for pulp production in Uruguay. Montes del Plata (MdP) is one of the largest forest companies in Uruguay and has been focused on the development, testing and deployment of E. dunnii clones to establish commercial plantations in Uruguay. This poster refers to the generation of control-pollinated families, as the starting point of MdP clonal strategy. Control pollination (CP) is a tool in genetic breeding programs that enables to recombine selected genotypes with desired traits to maximize gain in the medium to long term. The selection trait for pulpwood objective is tons of cellulose per tree (ADt); consequently, growth, frost tolerance, health, and wood properties are relevant for parent selection. Ongoing work shows a fruitfully performance of E. dunnii. In the south-east region of Uruguay the species have one flowering period per year, with an average flowering time occurring between the last fortnight of February and the first half of May. Developed protocols for pollen harvesting and methods for crossing are used. The survival of pollinated flowers resulting in fruits has shown to vary with parental species. Average survival rates are 20 to 35%. The main loss of crop happens during the first 4 months after pollinating, weighting —in average— a loss of 40% of the pollinated flowers. The species fruit crop occurs one year after CP. The number of seed per fruit varies with the parental species. E. dunnii × E. dunnii crosses yield in average 6.4 seeds per fruit. However, we have seen a reduction in seeds per fruit in hybrid crosses, where E. dunnii is pollinated with another species, mostly E. globulus, E. grandis and E. dorrigoensis. Seed crops are sawn in the nursery and start an individual clonal selection based on rooting protocols. Clones that fulfill the rooting constraints go to field trials. This is presented in another poster proposal. Main challenges for the future are to maintain a wide genetic diversity in the breeding population, early flowering, and continuous improvement on CP techniques.

Eucalyptus dunnii clonal strategy implementation in Montes del Plata

One of the main goals of a tree breeding program is to increase forest productivity, adaptation and profitability of forest plantations. Eucalyptus dunnii is a main species used for pulp production in Uruguay. Montes del Plata (MdP) is one of the largest forest companies in Uruguay and has been focused on the development, testing and deployment of E. dunnii clones to establish company plantations in Uruguay. On this presentation, the MdP ongoing clonal strategy for E. dunnii is presented. MdP clonal strategy starts with the generation, testing and selection of families in progeny tests (Open-pollination and Control-pollination) with a breeding population with a wide genetic diversity in order to have a sustainable clonal program. Seeds from the best families are used for clonal development in a two-phase strategy. In the first phase all potential clones are screened for rooting, in the company research nursery, and only the ones that root more than 60% go to the next phase, which is to produce plants for the establishment of clonal trials in field and, based on the performance, to select the candidate clones for deployment. On average, 4,000 clones|year are evaluated in the first phase, from which 200 go to clonal field trials every year. The strategy also includes a protocol for other traits assessment, like tree form, health and wood properties; the selection trait being tons of cellulose per tree (ADt). Wood properties are evaluated at early age using a company near infrared model (NIR). Then, values of predicted wood properties are projected to rotation age. This presentation will be complemented with extra information related to the different strategy phases in several posters. The MdP clonal strategy is a rolling front strategy, where clones from the best families are tested and selected for deployment and breeding to have continuous gain over time for E. dunnii.

Identification of tropical wood species in paper: a new chemotaxonomic method based on extractives

Abstract The European Deforestation Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR) prohibits trading of wood and wood products obtained from illegal logging on the EU market. While the identification of solid wood via anatomy, chemistry and genetics has already been established, there is a lack of identification methods for pulp and paper that complement anatomy. This publication presents a newly developed chemotaxonomic method for identifying mixed tropical hardwood (MTH) species in pulp and paper products based on their extractives analyzed with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). The measured data was processed and compared to identify marker substances and was then merged into a fingerprint database for identifying MTH species in paper of unknown composition. As database references, fully bleached kraft pulps were produced from 38 anatomically identified wood samples and then cryo-ball milled and extracted successively with n-hexane and acetone. The results show that the remaining wood extractives generated from bleached pulps are specific enough to find chemical relevant marker substances to detect MTH species. As chemical composition and anatomy are independent characteristics of wood, this paper makes a completely independent method available, which potentially improves the screening for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) protected species.

Relationship analysis based on phytochemical contents among coffee pulp from three coffee species collected in Southern Thailand and Jambi, Indonesia

Abstract. Maxiselly Y, Maulana H, Chumthong A, Chiarawipa R. 2023. Relationship analysis based on phytochemical contents among coffee pulp from three coffee species collected in Southern Thailand and Jambi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 5439-5445. Coffee pulp is part of the coffee cherry, except for the seed, and has many benefits for human health. The research aimed to analyze phytochemical contents and the relationship among the coffee pulp of three coffee species: Coffea arabica (Arabica), Coffea canephora (Robusta), and Coffea liberica (Liberica), collected in southern Thailand and Jambi, Indonesia. The coffee pulp of Arabica from Indonesia dominated in three variables: antioxidant activity (67.37±11.83 mg/100g DW), tannin (40.71 ±3.52 mg/100g DW), and phenolic (50.47±5.43 mg/100g DW). Robusta coffee pulp from Thailand contained a lower value of all phytochemical components. However, the coffee pulp of Liberica from Thailand had the highest value for flavonoid content (18.19±0.95 mg/100g DW) and saponin content (0.77±0.09 g/100g DW) among the three species in both countries. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also supports the result, which shows connectivity among antioxidant activity, tannin, and phenolic to Arabica from Indonesia, with flavonoid and saponin to Liberica from Thailand. These results indicate both the species and the environment influenced the phytochemical compositions of coffee pulp. Thus, Indonesia may benefit from developing more Arabica and Robusta coffee pulp products, while Thailand may benefit from creating the Liberica coffee pulp product.

Influence of flowering on the anatomical structure, chemical components and carbohydrate metabolism of Bambusa tuldoides culms at different ages.

Bamboo forests, which have come to occupy large areas in recent years, naturally undergo the process of blooming. However, bamboo culms and rhizomes degenerate after the plants bloom, resulting in widespread loss of raw materials. Systematic research on the properties and physiology of bamboo culms after flowering is lacking, and whether flowering bamboo culms could be used as raw materials in industry is unclear. In this paper, we compared and measured the fiber morphology, chemical components, and sugar metabolism indexes of non-flowering and flowering Bambusa tuldoides culms at different ages. The results showed that the fibers in the middle internodes of both non-flowering and flowering B. tuldoides culms had the longest length. The fibers completed their elongation within 1 year, but the fiber walls were continually deposited with age. The levels of the chemical components in the nonflowering culms also continually increased with age. The nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content and sugar metabolism indexes showed the highest levels in the 2-year culms and then declined in the 3-year culms. Compared to young culms that had not yet flowered, the 3-month-old and 1-year-old flowering culms had a significant decrease in the fiber length and tangential diameter, and their holocellulose and lignin levels also decreased, while the levels of ash, SiO2, 1% NaOH extractives, and benzene-ethanol extractives increased. A correlation analysis showed that sugar catabolism was accelerated in the flowering cluster, which could lead to "starvation death" in bamboo and which had a significant negative impact on the anatomical and chemical properties of the bamboo culms. Generally, the flowering bamboo culms had shorter fibers, higher levels of extractives and ash, and lower holocellulose content, which indicated that bamboo flowering has an adverse effect on the application of such components in the production of pulp, in papermaking, and in other processing and utilization activities. This study revealed the physiological changes in flowering B. tuldoides culms and provided a theoretical basis to inform the utilization of culms in this species.