Efeito da idade e material genético no rendimento e qualidade do carvão vegetal de eucalipto

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the age and genetic material effects on yield and quality of charcoal made from wood of different eucalypts genotypes. Different Eucalyptus species were used at different ages. Five trees were sampled by genotype and age. Two designs statistical form were considered in the evaluation of the experiment. The carbonizations were carried out in a suitable electric kiln. Carbonization yields and charcoal quality were evaluated in two experiments. The results indicate that genetic material and age effects were important parameters that interfere differently in both production and quality of eucalypts charcoal. The four-year-old genetic material significantly influenced the gravimetric charcoal yield and fixed carbon, the apparent relative density, volatiles and ash content and calorific value. However, the six and seven year-old only gravimetric charcoal yield and the fixed carbon content, respectively, were not affected by genotype. The effect of age was indirectly and occurred within genotype x age interaction, especially for carbonization yields. For charcoal quality features only the ash content presented direct effect of age, with an increasing trend with age genotype.