EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL OF BIOMASS PRODUCTION, NUTRIENT EXPORT AND WOODCHIPS QUALITY BY EUCALYPTUS IN A PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE IN VSRC

摘要

One year eucalyptus shoots from a SRC stand were studied to examine the potential of biomass production of this species in a forestry scheme in VSRC. The results show that to achieve an average production of 10 DT/ha/year, it is necessary to wait at least the 3rd year for the first harvest with a density of about 6000 stems/ha. Eucalyptus is an evergreen hardwood species. The biomass harvesting must be envisaged with the leaves. At the juvenile stage studied, leaves represent 20% of the total biomass, with a NCV higher than wood. In contrast, the leaves are characterized by high concentrations of minerals, including nitrogen. Harvesting of whole stems impact heavily on mineral exports. In the same way, keeping the leaves has an impact on biomass quality depending on the purposes. Biomass quality for biochemichal and thermochemical processes is strongly affected if the stems are harvested with or without foliage. VSRC whole stems eucalyptus samples contains important amount of inorganic compounds. Hexoses content is significantly lowered by the presence of leaves.