Radial profile in wood properties of Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. (pequi-do-cerrado)

Abstract

Wood is one of the most widely used organic compounds as a raw material in the world. Its chemical, anatomical and physical characteristics vary significantly due to environmental factors. In the Cerrado, the soils are naturally poor and have prolonged dry seasons. The study of the properties of the wood produced in this biome is relevant for understanding the morphological and anatomical adaptations in the xylem for plant survival. The objective was to study the variations and correlations between physical properties and fiber biometry in the wood of Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. of the cerrado of Minas Gerais. Core of wood increment were collected from three trees, using Pressler's borer at a height of 1.30 m in relation to the soil. The density, moisture and biometry of the wood fibers in the pith-bark direction were determined. The physical parameters varied according to the trees and the radial position. The averages of basic density and green humidity were 0.56 g / cm³ and 96.28%, respectively. The trend observed in physical properties was repeated for the biometric parameters of the fibers. The mean width, wall thickness and length of fibers were 24.13 μm, 5.16 μm and 2.65 mm, respectively. The radial variation pattern of pequi-do-cerrado wood indicated that when moving away from the spinal cord, the basic density and length of the fibers are increasing. On the other hand, green humidity is decreasing. For the width and thickness of the cell wall of the fibers, no clear trends were detected. Among the trees of C. brasiliense there was variation and correlation of the physical properties and anatomical characteristics of the wood in the same type of cerrado.