CHARACTERISTICSS OF GROWTH, WOOD AND CHARCOAL OF Tachigali vulgaris IN DIFFERENT PLANTING SPACINGS FOR ENERGETIC PURPOSES IN THE AMAZONIA
Charcoal tree. Energy forest. Biomass. Forking
Charcoal tree (Tachigali vulgaris LG Silva & HC Lima) is a native and endemic leguminous tree species from Brazil, popularly known as charcoal tachi, which has characteristics of interest to the energy purpose, such as rapid growth, ability to recover from degraded soils and high biomass production. Wood of this species has a medium to high basic density and is generally applied for firewood, charcoal and light civil construction. The objective of this research was to evaluate if different planting spacing and stem type affect the growth and quality of T. vulgaris wood and charcoal for energy purposes. The study was conducted in an experimental area of 5.6 ha, conducted by Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, in the company Jari Celulose SA, located in the district of Monte Dourado, municipality of Almeirim, Pará. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, consisting of 3 blocks and 6 spacings. For each spacing 3 trees were felled, with 3 repetitions in each block, totaling 54 trees sampled. Felled trees were measured for commercial height (h), then 5 cm thick discs were removed at longitudinal positions of 0%, DBH, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the main stem, and the (s) secondary shaft (s) to characterize the quality of wood and charcoal. Growth characteristics and quality of wood and charcoal were evaluated. There was no significant effect of planting spacing on growth characteristics, while for wood and charcoal quality characteristics, significant effects of planting spacing and stem type were verified. Wider spacing produced higher density wood and bifurcated stem decreased the basic wood density. Longitudinal variability of basic density revealed a downward trend towards the top base. The heartwood / sapwood ratio of the DAP discs had a significant effect, with an increase in wider spacing. The chemical composition of the wood was also altered by the planting spacing. The quality of charcoal was altered by planting spacing and stem type, and lower quality charcoal was produced in bifurcated trees.