scholarly journals Stem Quality of European Beech in Latvia and Its Effect on Tree and Stand Monetary Value

Author(s):  
Diāna Jansone ◽  
Luīze Diena ◽  
Raitis Rieksts-Riekstiņš ◽  
Āris Jansons

Abstract Beech is expected to expand its range into the territory of Latvia due to climate change, but we lack information on its stem and wood quality as a measure of its economic importance. We studied external stem quality traits in beech stands with age of 69 to 131 years. Nine trees were cut and sampled to determine internal wood quality and the proportion of peelable cylinder. Tree value was calculated according to buckling by dimensions and buckling accounting for stem and wood defects. Trees of the second generation (69 years) had a significantly lower incidence of frost cracks (22.0% vs. 36.2%), epicormic branches (50.5 % vs. 65.8%), and forks (15.8% vs. 23.5%) as compared to trees from the first generation (115–131 years). All sampled trees had discolouration in the height of the first log. The proportion of the peelable cylinder was positively linked to tree height and ranged from 12% at the stump level to 33.4% at the tree height of 30 m. All analysed phenotypic traits decreased stand monetary value: frost cracks by 6% to 8%, all external traits by 16% to 20%, all external and internal traits by 29% to 33%.

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan M. Stängle ◽  
Franka Brüchert ◽  
Ursula Kretschmer ◽  
Heinrich Spiecker ◽  
Udo H. Sauter

Knowledge about the wood quality of standing trees is crucial in that it serves as an excellent means for nearly all stages of the wood-supply chain. Better information about internal wood characteristics can be derived from the outside appearance by establishing a correlation between the bark characteristics of a stem and its internal quality. This paper presents an approach where the quality determination of standing trees using a terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system is combined with the information about internal quality of logs using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Results show a high accuracy for branch scar measurements with terrestrial LiDAR and knot measurement with CT. A strong correlation between scar seal quotient and the amount of clear wood could be confirmed using European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) as an example. Quality grading of virtually segmented logs using terrestrial LiDAR and CT showed moderate correlation; 62.5% of the segments were allocated to the same grade by both approaches. In conclusion, terrestrial LiDAR in forest inventory could be used as an instrument to predict inner wood quality in greater detail by gathering data on the outer appearance and branch scars of standing trees. This additional knowledge has the potential to improve forest planning, bucking instructions, and a roundwood allocation that meets industry demand.


2009 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. 114-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Otto ◽  
Sven Wagner ◽  
Peter Brang

The competitive pressure of naturally regenerated European beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings on planted pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) was investigated on two 1.8 ha permanent plots near Habsburg and Murten (Switzerland). The plots were established with the aim to test methods of artificial oak regeneration after large-scale windthrow. On both plots, 80 oaks exposed to varying levels of competitive pressure from at most 10 neighbouring beech trees were selected. The height of each oak as well as stem and branch diameters were measured. The competitive pressure was assessed using Schütz's competition index, which is based on relative tree height, crown overlap and distance from competing neighbours. Oak trees growing without or with only slight competition from beech were equally tall, while oaks exposed to moderate to strong competition were smaller. A threshold value for the competition index was found above which oak height decreased strongly. The stem and branch diameters of the oaks started to decrease even if the competition from beech was slight, and decreased much further with more competition. The oak stems started to become more slender even with only slight competition from beech. On the moderately acid beech sites studied here, beech grow taller faster than oak. Thus where beech is competing with oak and the aim is to maintain the oak, competitive pressure on the oak must be reduced at an early stage. The degree of the intervention should, however, take the individual competitive interaction into account, with more intervention if the competition is strong.


2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 838-843
Author(s):  
Philipp Müller ◽  
Bernd-Arno Behrens ◽  
Sven Hübner ◽  
Hendrik Vogt ◽  
Daniel Rosenbusch ◽  
...  

Techniken zur Steigerung der Formgebungsgrenzen in der Umformtechnik sind von hoher wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung. In dieser Arbeit wird eine Schwingungsüberlagerung im Krafthauptfluss eines Axialformprozesses zur Ausprägung einer Verzahnungsgeometrie untersucht. Die Auswirkungen der Schwingung auf die erzielbare Ausfüllung der Zahnkavitäten werden analysiert sowie die Parameter Schmierung und Oberflächengüte der Halbzeuge in ihrer kombinierten Wirkung untersucht. Es konnte eine Reduzierung der mittleren Umformkraft sowie eine Erhöhung der Formfüllung festgestellt werden. Techniques for extending the production limits in forming technology are of great economic importance. In this research, a superimposed oscillation in the main force flow of an axial forming process to form an axial gear geometry is investigated. The effects of the superimposed oscillation on the achievable form-filling of the tooth cavities are analyzed and the parameters lubrication and surface quality of the semi-finished products are investigated in their combined effect. A reduction of the averaged forming force as well as an increase of the form-filling could be achieved.


Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Salvador ◽  
Michelle Guijarro ◽  
Daniela Rubio ◽  
Bolívar Aucatoma ◽  
Tanya Guillén ◽  
...  

Honey is one of the oldest sweetening foods and has economic importance, making this product attractive to adulteration with cheap sugars. This can cause a critical problem in the honey industry and a possible health risk. The present work has the aim of evaluating the authenticity of honey commercialized in two different provinces of Ecuador (Pichincha and Loja) by performing physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses. For this study 25 samples were collected from different places and markets and characterized by water, sucrose, reducing sugars and electric conductivity measurement. Also, their Raman and Infrared (IR) spectra were recorded and analysed using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to verify the quality of the honeys. In addition, a screening of several pesticides was performed in order to verify possible chemical threats to human health and honey bees. It was found that 8 samples have a deviation from the Standard established parameters. Two of them have a high difference in the content of sucrose and reducing sugars, which are located deviated from all the other samples in the PCA of the applied vibrational spectroscopy (IR/Raman), shaping two clear clusters. The results show that Raman and IR spectroscopy is appropriate techniques for the quality control of honey and correlates well with the physicochemical analyses.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Camilo E. Valenzuela ◽  
Paulina Ballesta ◽  
Sunny Ahmar ◽  
Sajid Fiaz ◽  
Parviz Heidari ◽  
...  

The agricultural and forestry productivity of Mediterranean ecosystems is strongly threatened by the adverse effects of climate change, including an increase in severe droughts and changes in rainfall distribution. In the present study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotype blocks associated with the growth and wood quality of Eucalyptus cladocalyx, a tree species suitable for low-rainfall sites. The study was conducted in a progeny-provenance trial established in an arid site with Mediterranean patterns located in the southern Atacama Desert, Chile. A total of 87 SNPs and 3 haplotype blocks were significantly associated with the 6 traits under study (tree height, diameter at breast height, slenderness coefficient, first bifurcation height, stem straightness, and pilodyn penetration). In addition, 11 loci were identified as pleiotropic through Bayesian multivariate regression and were mainly associated with wood hardness, height, and diameter. In general, the GWAS revealed associations with genes related to primary metabolism and biosynthesis of cell wall components. Additionally, associations coinciding with stress response genes, such as GEM-related 5 and prohibitin-3, were detected. The findings of this study provide valuable information regarding genetic control of morphological traits related to adaptation to arid environments.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Martina Zappaterra ◽  
Paolo Zambonelli ◽  
Cristina Schivazappa ◽  
Nicoletta Simoncini ◽  
Roberta Virgili ◽  
...  

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) dry-cured hams production is greatly dependent on raw meat quality. This study was performed to identify genetic markers associated with the quality of dry-cured ham. Carcass traits of 229 heavy pigs belonging to three commercial genetic lines were registered (weight, EUROP classification). Phenotypic traits (Semimembranosus muscle ultimate pH, ham weight and lean meat content, adsorbed salt) of the corresponding thighs, undergone PDO ham process in three different plants, were measured, using a fast and non-invasive technology. Green ham weight and lean meat percentage influenced the estimated salt content and the weight loss during salting, even if the processing plant greatly affected the variability of the measured ham traits. The genomic data were obtained with the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) 70k HD Porcine Array, using the slaughter day and the sex of the animals in the statistical analyses. The phenotypic traits were associated with the genotypes through GenAbel software. The results showed that 18 SNPs located on nine porcine chromosomes were found to be associated with nine phenotypic traits, mainly related to ham weight loss during salting. New associations were found between markers in the genes Neural Precursor Cell Expressed Developmentally Down-Regulated 9 (NEDD9, SSC7), T-Cell Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis 2 (TIAM2, SSC1), and the ham quality traits. After validation, these SNPs may be useful to improve the quality of thighs for the production of PDO dry-cured hams.


CERNE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-297
Author(s):  
Walter Torezani Neto Boschetti ◽  
Juarez Benigno Paes ◽  
Graziela Baptista Vidaurre ◽  
Marina Donária Chaves Arantes ◽  
João Gabriel Missia da Silva

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the quality of normal, tension and opposite wood of eucalyptus trees lengthwise, in straight and inclined stems, affected by wind action. It also aims to explain the pulping parameters resultant from the quality of the wood. The trees were grouped into four tilt ranges, ranging from 0 to 50º, and the basic density, chemical composition of the wood, and performance in kraft pulping were assessed. Normal and tension wood had similar basic densities; while for opposite wood, the density was lower, being responsible for a decrease in reaction wood density. The chemical composition of the wood was influenced by the presence of reaction wood in the stem. Tension and opposite wood showed lower levels of extractives and lignin and higher holocellulose content when compared to normal wood, with favorable wood quality for pulping. The increase in holocellulose content and the reduction of lignin and extractives content contributed positively to a more delignified pulp and reduction of the Kappa number. However, after cooking the reaction wood under the same conditions as those of normal wood, reaction wood pulping tends to have a lower screen yields. Due to differences in basic density and chemical constituents between opposite and normal wood, it is recommended not to designate the opposite wood as normal wood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Andrej Bončina ◽  
Vasilije Trifković ◽  
Živa Bončina

Modeling the height and diameter growth of trees is an important part of forest management. Growth models provide the basis for determining the thinning regime, target tree dimensions and optimal proportions of developmental phases of forest stands. We developed individual height growth models for dominant Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in two forest types (sessile oak-European beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests). Based on the models, the site productivity index (SPI), defined as the dominant tree height at a diameter of 45 cm, was determined for spruce and beech in both forest types. Based on the diameter increment of the dominant trees, the age of trees in regard to their diameter was calculated, which was the basis for Height-Age modeling. The site productivity index (SPI) of spruce in sessile oak-beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests is higher than that of beech: 31.3 and 29.7 vs 28.7 and 27.9, respectively. Estimated site indices (SI; dominant tree height at the age of 100 years) in sessile oak- European beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests were 33.4 and 32.0 for spruce, and 29.0 and 27.0 for beech, respectively. Using the described procedure, it is possible to determine indices of site productivity of spruce and beech (SI and SPI) in the selected forest habitat types. Testing the procedure in other forest types and for other tree species is suggested.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Chaerani ◽  
DEDE J SUDRAJAT ◽  
ISKANDAR Z SIREGAR ◽  
ULFAH J SIREGAR

Abstract. Chaerani N, Sudrajat DJ, Siregar IZ, Siregar UJ. 2019. Growth performance and wood quality of white jabon (Neolamarckia cadamba) progeny testing at Parung Panjang, Bogor, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 2295-2301. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic parameters of growth and wood quality in white jabon progeny test at 54 months old in Parung Panjang, Bogor. The 105 half-sib families obtained from 12 provenances were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Wood quality was assessed both in a non-destructive way using a pilodyn and by destructive method using wood sample taker. Results indicated that the mean value ranged from 5.10 to 10.15 m for height, 6.67 to 15.30 cm for diameter, 2.30 to 3.62 cm for pilodyn penetration, 0.66 to 0.82 g/cm3 for wood density, 0.33 to 0.50 for specific gravity, and 66 to 111 % for moisture content, respectively. There were significant differences among 105 families for all traits except moisture content. The high heritability estimate was found for height (0.4-0.69) and basic density (0.27-0.59). Applying 80% selection intensity on diameter and leaving 84 best families in each block will produce a high total genetic gain. Pilodyn penetration had negative correlation with diameter, wood density, and specific gravity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Gláucia Moraes Dias ◽  
José Maria Monteiro Sigrist ◽  
Patricia Cia ◽  
Sylvio Luís Honório

Rosa sp. is the leading cut flower commercialized in Brazil and in the world; and to maintain stem quality it should be stored at 1 °C, however, there are still doubts about the storage of roses, especially whether the stems should be cold stored in water before marketing. In order to assess the feasibility of wet and dry storage, rose stems, ‘Avalanche’ were stored for 28 days in both conditions at 1 ± 2 °C / 95% RH. Weekly stems batches were transferred to 25 °C / 70% RH and kept in vessels containing tap water for postharvest assessment. It was observed that the decrease in the quality of the roses was inversely proportional to the storage time in both treatments. Although wet storage can occur for up to 21 days, when you need to store roses for a week or two, cold storage in dry condition is advised since it is more economical and viable for the producer.


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