Anatomical and chemical factors affecting tensile growth stress in Eucalyptus grandis plantations at different latitudes in Brazil

• Published in: Canadian journal of forest research Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 134 - 140
• Main Authors: Kojima, Miho, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Koichiro Saegusa, Fabio Minoru Yamaji, Masato Yoshida, Saori Yamashita, Takahisa Nakai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: NRC Research Press 2011
• Subjects: cellulose; Eucalyptus grandis; latitude; lignin; lumber; plantations; planting; stems; Brazil
• ISSN: 1208-6037; 1208-6037

The key to using planted Eucalyptus as timber lies in controlling the characteristic high tensile growth stress that often causes serious processing defects in sawn logs and lumber. In the present study, we investigated variations in the longitudinal released strain (RS) of surface growth stress in stems of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden planted in a wide range of latitudes in Brazil and established relationships between RS measurements and anatomical and chemical factors. Cellulose and lignin content, RS, and the microfibril angle (MFA) of the middle layer of the secondary wall (S₂ layer) differed among latitudes. The increase in cellulose content and decrease in MFA were correlated with the contractive value of RS, which explained the higher tensile growth stress in stems from high-latitude plantations where higher cellulose content and lower MFA were observed. To reduce processing defects due to tensile growth stress, the factors controlling MFA values and cellulose content must be identified.