NUTRIENT CYCLING IN EUCALYPTUS DUNNII: MICRONUTRIENTS IN THE LITTERFALL

The evaluation of litterfall and nutrient return is important for understanding the dynamics of nutrient cycling. Although required in smaller quantities by plants, micronutrients have unique importance in biogeochemical regulation. The objective of the present study was to quantify the litterfall and the concentration of micronutrients in the different fractions and seasons of the year in Eucalyptus dunnii stand. Four plots of 20 m x 21 m were demarcated. The collection of leaf litter, twigs (diameter 0.5 cm), four useful areas of medium-diameter trees were demarcated in each plot. The leaf fraction represented 59% of litterfall and the transfer order was Mn> Fe> B> Zn> Cu, totaling 8.04 kg ha-1. The leaf fraction presented the highest concentrations for B and Mn. The litterfall was seasonal with summer and spring differing statistically from winter and the temperature variable explains the deposition pattern of the same

Quantificação da biomassa e nutrientes em um povoamento de Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden estabelecido no Bioma Pampa

Studies related to biomass production and accumulation of nutrients, are the basis for understanding the nutritional dynamics in forest stands. The objective of this study was to quantify the biomass and nutrient stocks, in a Eucalyptus dunnii stand, at 60 months old, established in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul. The sampling of biomass was taken from twelve trees which were cut at soil level and the fractional biomass components: leaf, branches, trunk bark and stem wood, with dry mass determination and nutrients concentration. The total above ground biomass was 58.76 Mg ha-1, with decreasing sequence in the magnitude of the stem wood > trunk bark > branches > leaves. The total stock of nutrients was 175.5; 18.2; 171; 278.1; 69.1 and 21.5 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, respectively. We emphasize the importance of maintaining of harvest residues in the soil to optimize nutrient cycling due to high levels of these in the leaves, bark and branches.Estudos relacionados à produção de biomassa e acúmulo de nutrientes são a base para a compreensão da dinâmica nutricional em povoamentos florestais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi quantificar a biomassa e o estoque de nutrientes, em um povoamento de Eucalyptus dunnii, aos 60 meses de idade, estabelecido em Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul. A amostragem da biomassa foi realizada a partir de doze árvores, que foram seccionadas ao nível do solo e a biomassa foi fracionada nos componentes: folhas, galhos, casca do tronco e madeira do tronco, com determinação de massa seca e tores de nutrientes. A biomassa total acima do solo foi de 58,76 Mg ha-1, com sequência decrescente de alocação em madeira do tronco > casca do tronco > galhos > folhas. O estoque total de nutrientes foi de 175,5; 18,2; 171; 278,1; 69,1 e 21,5 kg ha-1 de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente. Ressalta-se a importância da manutenção de resíduos da colheita sobre o solo, a fim de otimizar a ciclagem de nutrientes em função dos altos teores destes contidos nas folhas, casca e galhos

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Utilização de Cinco Espécies de Eucalyptus para a Produção de Painéis OSB

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a viabilidade técnica da utilização de cinco espécies de Eucalyptus, provenientes de plantios com ciclo de curta rotação, para produção de painéis OSB. As espécies estudadas foram: Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus dunni, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus urograndis, a mistura entre elas e o Pinus taeda como testemunha. Os painéis de Eucalyptus apresentaram maior estabilidade dimensional quando comparados com os painéis testemunha. Os painéis compostos pelo mix de espécies apresentaram estabilidade dimensional semelhante aos demais produzidos com as espécies de Eucalyptus puras. No ensaio de flexão estática os valores de MOR não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre os tratamentos, porém, para MOE, os painéis de Eucalyptus apresentaram valores estatisticamente superiores quando comparados aos da testemunha. Na tração perpendicular os painéis produzidos com Pinus taeda apresentaram valor médio superior às demais espécies. Todas as espécies assim como a mistura entre elas mostraram viabilidade técnica para produção de painéis OSB

NUTRIENT RETURN THROUGH LITTERFALL IN A Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden STAND IN SANDY SOIL

ABSTRACT In a forest stand, litterfall is primarily responsible for the retention and return of nutrients to the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the return of nutrients through litterfall in a stand of Eucalyptus dunnii in a Pampa biome. For quantification of litterfall, four 420-m2 installments were marked; within each one, four 0.50-m2 collection plots were distributed. For the collection of thick branches, four 7.00-m2 sub-plots were staked out. The collected litterfall was separated into leaf, twig, thick branch, and miscellany fractions for subsequent chemical analysis. The total litterfall measured was 6.99 Mg ha-1 yr-1, and comprised 61.57% leaves, 17.34% twigs, 13.83% thick branches, and 7.26% miscellany. The total amount of macronutrients in the litterfall was 160.22 kg ha-1 yr-1, and the macronutrient transfer order was the same for the leaf, twig, and thick branch fractions (Ca > N > K > Mg > S > P). The total quantity of micronutrients was 7.55 kg ha-1 yr-1, and the transfer order was Mn > Fe > B > Zn > Cu. Maintaining litterfall on the site, especially in degraded or low fertility soils like in the Pampa biome, may contribute to possible improvements in soil characteristics

MICRONUTRIENTS AND BIOMASS IN Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden STAND

<div><p>ABSTRACT The expansion of silviculture in Brazil, and the consequent intensive practices for soil preparation with high demand for fertilizers require sustainable nutrient management of forest sites. The objective of this study was to quantify the biomass and the micronutrient stocks of a 60-month-old Eucalyptus dunnii stand established in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul. The stand was established in a Rhodic Paleudult soil with low fertility and texture varying between sandy loam and sandy-clay loam. For the sampling of stand biomass, twelve trees were harvested, sectioned at ground level, and subsequently fractionated into the components roots, leaves, branches, stembark and stemwood to determine the dry mass and micronutrient content. The total biomass of the stand was 67.49 Mg ha-1, with mass allocation in descending order from: stem wood > root > bark > branches > leaves. Total micronutrient stocks for boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were 562.57, 401.46, 9913.28, 31877.82, and 766.96 g ha-1, respectively. In addition, we found greater accumulation of Zn in the wood, high Mn accumulation especially in the bark, and high Fe content in the roots. Therefore, based on these micronutrient levels and their allocation between biomass fractions, we emphasize that the practice of retaining forest residues on-site after harvest is essential for forest nutrition through nutrient cycling and for soil conservation and fertility.</p></div

Weed Coexistence in Eucalyptus Hybrid Stands Decreases Biomass and Nutritional Efficiency Mid-Rotation

Determining the period of weed coexistence with eucalyptus stands assists in the integrated management of weed competition, which reduces the application of herbicides, economic costs, and environmental damage. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the impact of a hybrid stand of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla trees on biomass production, the concentration and stock of macro and micronutrients, and the efficiency of nutrient utilization under different periods of coexistence with weeds. Our study is the first to report the impacts of weed management on the biomass and nutrients present in the leaves, branches, stembark, and stemwood at the time of mid-rotation (4.5 years old). The experiment was carried out in southern Brazil in the Pampa biome and followed a randomized block design, with three replications. The treatments consisted of increasing periods of coexistence with or control of weeds. The total biomass in the coexistence up to 378 days treatment was 53.7 Mg ha−1, and in the control treatment up to 168 days, it was 81.4 Mg ha−1, differing statistically. This reduction was in the order of 34%. The continuous presence of weeds led to a significant reduction in the production of wood and total biomass. The highest nutrient utilization efficiency (NUE) was observed for wood. The control of weeds for up to 168 days promoted greater productivity than controlling weeds for 378 days. This recommendation can be adopted by plantation managers for this region, reducing the amount of herbicide applied on the stand