Stand density effects on Eucalyptus grandis growth in Entre Ríos

Abstract

The Mesopotamia region comprises the largest Eucalyptus grandis plantation area in Argentina. Stand density ranges from 1,000 to 1,111 plants/ha and 10-12 years rotation lenghts allow for a variety of end uses: pulp, sawmill, poles. Stand density effects on E. grandis growth were evaluated in a trial network across the Entre Ríos province. Three Nelder-designed trials were periodically measured for DBH and height up to age ten years. With increasing density, basal area decreased and DBH, mean height and survival increased; quadratic regression equations indicated that spacing explained 60 to 76 p. 100 of the variation in DBH and basal area. Results allow for the following management recommendations; stand density has to be decreased in low quality sites; when a larger DBH is the objective, stand density has to be lower and/or rotation length has to be increased and/or thinnings have to be applied; to produce larger DBHs than those currently consumed by sawmills will require a lower initial stand density or intermediate thinnings; a maximization of the final stand volume will be obtained with higher stand densities than those currently used.