Polyploidy as a strategy to improve the industrial quality of eucalypt wood

Abstract

There are many studies describing the physical and anatomical properties of eucalypt wood, but studies comparing the performance of diploid and polyploid clones in terms of wood anatomy and wood quality are scarce. In this context, this study aimed to compare the performances of Eucalyptus diploid and polyploid clones with the same genetic origin by analyzing the physical and anatomical properties of the wood to extend the information on wood quality for pulp and paper production. Woods samples from eucalypt hybrids (E. grandis x E. urophylla) from experimental plantations of Suzano S.A. were used. Moisture content, basic density and fiber size were determined. The data related to these variables were tested by analysis of variance. Moisture content in polyploids was 4% higher than in diploids. The mean basic density in diploid clones was 13% higher than in polyploid clones, although there was no significant difference between one of the evaluated clones. The mean fiber length in polyploid clones was 18% higher than in diploid clones. No significant differences were found in the wood quality indexes for cellulosic pulp production. Synthetic polyploid clones of eucalypt presented lower basic density and fibers with higher length and wall thickness when compared to diploids, indicating the potential use of polyploids in eucalypt pulp and paper production.