Quality of eucalyptus seedlings of different clones produced at different times

Abstract

Fast-growing economic forests are important, especially for the cultivation of eucalyptus, as they represent multiple uses associated with the preservation of native forests, generation of jobs, and income. In recent years, there has been significant growth in the number of nurseries that produce clonal eucalyptus seedlings throughout Brazil, and in Espírito Santo soil, most are concentrated in Sooretama, producing seedlings throughout Brazil and for export. However, information on the quality of these seedlings when produced throughout the different seasons is not available. This information can be important, from a practical point of view, for planting and management, and from an experimental point of view, to direct research involving newly produced seedlings. Thus, this work aims to qualify, through the characteristic of DQI, clonal eucalyptus seedlings of different clones and in different seasons, to study the presence of interaction between the clones, and the environments formed by the different seasons of the year. Statistical analyzes were performed from 6,400 eucalyptus seedlings of four clones produced at different times in Sooretama and Jaguaré in the state of Espirito Santo, applying joint evaluation methods to study the interaction between genotypes by environments and verification of adaptability and stability. In the analysis by Annicchiarico and Lin & Binns, the G3 genotype showed general adaptability and also showed adaptability in unfavorable environments, and the G2 and G4 genotypes showed adaptability to favorable environments. Despite the specificities of adaptability, all four genotypes can be indicated for planting at any time of the year, as they have an DQI greater than 0.2.