<b>Evaluation of initial diametric increase in different species of Pinus in the region of Santa Maria do Oeste (PR)</b>

Abstract

The evaluation of initial diametric increment in different species of Pinus was performed in the Central region of the Paraná State at a farm called Renato Festugato that is owned by the Ibema Brazilian Paper Company. Several species of Pinus (Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf., Pinus oocarpa Schiede, Pinus elliottii Engelm. and Pinus taeda L.) were studied. Each study subject was 4 years old and the initial intervals were 2.50 per 2.00 m. The research objective was to compare the growth rate of two species implanted in large scale in the region “P. elliottii Engelm. and P. taeda L.” and two tropical species, “P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf. and P. oocarpa Schiede”, as well to compare these results with results of similar studies in other regions. In order to achieve the objective, 12 sample units were installed. Each sample unit had an area of 360 m² and included 3 samples of each species. Statistical tools were used, including the Bartlett test, variance analysis (ANOVA), and the Tukey test. Study variables included survival rate, diameter, and base area. The results showed that P. taeda L. is the most productive variety of Pinus for the region, followed by P. oocarpa Schiede, P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf., and P. elliottii Engelm.. In hotter regions P. taeda L. variety had smaller diameter when compared to P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf. and P. oocarpa Schiede. P. taeda L. is the best variety of Pinus for plantation in the tree farms of the south region of Brazil. P. oocarpa Schiede and P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf. are the most productive varieties for hotter regions (Southeastern Region of Brazil).