Potencial para geração de energia de genótipos de Eucalyptus cultivados na integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta e em cultivos puros

Abstract

Brazil is a global leader in charcoal production for the steel industry, primarily using Eucalyptus wood. The sustainable production of charcoal can be expanded using wood from areas with Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest (ICLF) systems. This study aimed to evaluate the physical and anatomical characteristics of Eucalyptus wood genotypes, as well as the quality of charcoal produced for energy purposes, using wood from ICLF systems and pure plantations. Wood samples were collected from two cultivation systems, approximately eleven years after their establishment, in the northern region of Minas Gerais state: (1) an ICLF system with double-row spacing of 2 x 3 m within the rows and 14 m between rows, using Eucalyptus cloeziana and the hybrid E. urophylla x E. grandis (3335); and (2) a monoculture system with 3 x 4 m spacing, with two hybrids of E. urophylla x E. grandis (3487 and 3336). Each genotype within its respective cultivation system was considered a treatment. Tree disks were collected using the Smalian method, with six trees selected per treatment. Basic density, energy density, and fiber morphometric characteristics were measured to assess wood quality. Regarding charcoal, analyses conducted after carbonization included apparent density, energy density, higher heating value, and proximate chemical composition (volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon). Gravimetric yields, liquid pyrolysis products, and non-condensable gases were also calculated.Eucalyptus cloeziana from the ICLF system stood out with greater fiber width, basic density, and energy density, indicating high-quality wood for energy purposes. Charcoal from this wood also exhibited higher apparent density and energy density, with the clone C3335 presenting the highest heating value. The biomass of Eucalyptus genotypes cultivated in ICLF systems proved to be promising for energy applications, highlighting the ICLF system as an efficient option for producing high-quality wood and charcoal.