Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent times, governments around the world have placed increasing focus on cleaner technologies and sustainable methods of power generation in an attempt to move away from fossil fuel derived power, which is deemed unsustainable and unfriendly to the environment. This trend has also been supported by the South African government, with clear intentions to diversify the country’s power generation by including, among others, biomass as a renewable resource for electricity generation. Woody biomass and associated forestry residues in particular, could potentially be used as such a renewable resource when considering the large amount of fast growing hardwood species cultivated in South Africa. Approximately 6.3 million ton of Eucalyptus grandis is sold annually for pulp production while a further 7 million ton of Eucalyptus species are sold as round wood. With these tree species reaching commercial maturity within 7 – 9 years in the South African climate, there is real potential in harnessing woody biomass as a renewable energy source. In this study, pyrolysis was investigated as a method to condense and upgrade E.grandis into energy and chemical rich products. The pyrolysis of E.grandis is the study of the thermal degradation of the biomass, in the absence of oxygen, to produce char and bio-oil. The thermal degradation behaviour of E.grandis was studied using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany and subsequently used to determine the isoconversional kinetic constants for E.grandis and its main lignocellulosic components. Slow, Vacuum and Fast Pyrolysis were investigated and optimised to maximise product yields and to identify the key process variables affecting product quality. The Fast Pyrolysis of E.grandis was investigated and compared on bench (KIT0.1 kg/h), laboratory (SU1 kg/h) and pilot plant scale (KIT10 kg/h), using Fast Pyrolysis reactors at Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa and at KIT in Germany. The Slow and Vacuum Pyrolysis of E.grandis was investigated and compared using a packed bed reactor at Stellenbosch University. The TGA revealed that biomass particle size had a negligible effect on the thermal degradation behaviour of E.grandis at a heating rate set point of 50 °C/min. It was also shown that increasing the furnace heating rates shifted the thermo-gravimetric (TG) and differential thermo-gravimetric (DTG) curves towards higher temperatures while also increasing the maximum rate of volatilisation. Lignin resulted in the largest specific char yield and also reacted across the widest temperature range of all the samples investigated. The average activation energies found for the samples investigated were 177.8, 141.0, 106.2 and 170.4 kJ/mol for holocellulose, alpha-cellulose, Klason lignin and raw E.grandis, respectively. Bio-oil yield was optimised at 76 wt. % (daf) for the SU1 kg/h Fast Pyrolysis plant using an average biomass particle size of 570 μm and a reactor temperature of 470 °C. Differences in the respective condensation chains of the various Fast Pyrolysis reactor configurations investigated resulted in higher gas and char yields for the KIT reactor configurations compared to the SU1 kg/h Fast Pyrolysis plant. Differences in the vapour residence time between Slow (>400 s) and Vacuum Pyrolysis (< 2 s) resulted in a higher liquid and lower char yield for Vacuum Pyrolysis. Local liquid yield maxima of 41.1 and 64.4 wt. % daf were found for Slow and Vacuum Pyrolysis, respectively (achieved at a reactor temperature of 450 °C and a heating rate of 17 °C/min). Even though char yields were favoured at low reactor temperatures (269 – 300 °C), the higher heating values of the char were favoured at high reactor temperatures (29 – 34 MJ/kg for 375 – 481 °C). Reactor temperature had the most significant effects on product yield and quality for the respective Slow and Vacuum Pyrolysis experimental runs. The bio-oils yielded for SP and VP were found to be rich in furfural and acetic acid. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Regerings regoor die wêreld het in die afgelope tyd toenemende fokus geplaas op skoner tegnologie en volhoubare metodes van kragopwekking in 'n poging om weg te beweeg van fossielbrandstof gebasseerde energie, wat geag word as nie volhoubaar nie en skadelik vir die omgewing. Hierdie tendens is ook ondersteun deur die Suid-Afrikaanse regering, met 'n duidelike bedoeling om die land se kragopwekking te diversifiseer deur, onder andere, biomassa as 'n hernubare bron vir die opwekking van elektrisiteit te gebruik. Houtagtige biomassa en verwante bosbou afval in die besonder, kan potensieel gebruik word as so 'n hernubare hulpbron, veral aangesien ‘n groot aantal vinnig groeiende hardehout spesies tans in Suid-Afrika verbou word. Ongeveer 6,3 miljoen ton Eucalyptus grandis word jaarliks verkoop vir pulp produksie, terwyl 'n verdere 7 miljoen ton van Eucalyptus spesies verkoop word as paal hout. Met hierdie boom spesies wat kommersiële volwassenheid bereik binne 7 - 9 jaar in die Suid-Afrikaanse klimaat, is daar werklike potensiaal vir die benutting van houtagtige biomassa as 'n hernubare energiebron. In hierdie studie is pirolise ondersoek as 'n metode om E.grandis te kondenseer en op te gradeer na energie en chemikalie ryke produkte. Die pirolise van E.grandis is die proses van termiese afbreking van die biomassa, in die afwesigheid van suurstof, om houtskool en bio-olie te produseer. Die termiese afbrekingsgedrag van E.grandis is bestudeer deur gebruik te maak van termo-gravimetriese analise (TGA) by die Karlsruhe Instituut van Tegnologie in Duitsland en daarna gebruik om die kinetiese konstantes vir die iso-omskakeling van E.grandis en sy hoof komponente te bepaal. Stadige, Vakuum en Snel pirolise is ondersoek en geoptimiseer om produk opbrengste te maksimeer en die sleutel proses veranderlikes wat die kwaliteit van die produk beïnvloed te identifiseer. Die Snel Pirolise van E.grandis is ondersoek en vergelyk op bank- (KIT0.1 kg / h), laboratorium- (SU1 kg / h) en proefaanlegskaal (KIT10 kg / h) deur gebruik te maak van Snel pirolise reaktore by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (US) in Suid-Afrika en die Karlsruhe Instituut van Tegnologie (KIT) in Duitsland. Die Stadige en Vakuum Pirolise van E.grandis is ondersoek en vergelyk met behulp van 'n gepakte bed reaktor aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die TGA studie het openbaar dat biomassa deeltjiegrootte 'n onbeduidende uitwerking op die termiese afbrekingsgedrag van E.grandis het by 'n verhittings tempo van 50 ° C / min. Dit is ook bewys dat die verhoging van die oond verwarming tempo die termo-gravimetriese (TG) en differensiële termo-gravimetriese (DTG) kurwes na hoër temperature verskuif, terwyl dit ook die maksimum tempo van vervlugtiging laat toeneem het. Lignien het gelei tot die grootste spesifieke houtskool opbrengs en het ook oor die wydste temperatuur interval gereageer van al die monsters wat ondersoek is. Die gemiddelde aktiveringsenergieë vir die monsters wat ondersoek is, was 177,8, 141,0, 106,2 en 170,4 kJ / mol, onderskeidelik vir holosellulose, alpha-sellulose, Klason lignien en rou E.grandis. Bio-olie opbrengs is geoptimeer teen 76 wt. % (DAF) vir die SU1 kg / h Snel Pirolise aanleg met behulp van 'n gemiddelde biomassa deeltjiegrootte van 570 μm en 'n reaktor temperatuur van 470 ° C. Verskille in die onderskeie kondensasie kettings van die verskillende Snel Pirolise aanlegte wat ondersoek is, het gelei tot hoër gas- en houtskool opbrengste vir die KIT reaktor konfigurasies in vergelyking met die SU1kg/h FP plant. Verskille in die damp retensie tyd tussen Stadige (> 400 s) en Vakuum pirolise (<2 s) het gelei tot 'n hoër vloeistof en laer houtskool opbrengs vir Vakuum Pirolise. Plaaslike vloeistof opbrengs maksima van 41,1 en 64,4 wt. % (daf) is gevind vir Stadig en Vakuum pirolise onderskeidelik, bereik by 'n reaktor temperatuur van 450 ° C en 'n verhittingstempo van 17 ° C / min. Selfs al is houtskool opbrengste bevoordeel by lae reaktor temperature (269 - 300 ° C), is die hoër warmte waardes van die houtskool bevoordeel deur hoë reaktor temperature (29 - 34 MJ / kg vir 375 - 481 ° C). Reaktor temperatuur het die mees beduidende effek op die produk opbrengs en kwaliteit vir die onderskeie Stadige Pirolise en Vakuum Pirolise eksperimentele lopies gehad. Die bio-olies geproduseer tydens Stadige en Vakuum Pirolise was ryk aan furfuraal en asynsuur.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Hemicelluloses are the most abundant plant polysaccharides available next to cellulose. The industrial usage of hemicelluloses however is very limited to nonexistent. As wood is processed in the Kraft pulping process, a large fraction of these hemicelluloses is degraded to low molecular weight isosaccharinic acids, which end up in the black liquor with the degraded lignin. The extraction of hemicelluloses prior to pulping and re-introducing them as a wet-end additive has been shown to improve the paper tensile -, burst- and tear index properties. It has also been proven that the pre-extraction of hemicelluloses does not negatively affect the downstream paper products. The objective of this project was to study the modification of extracted wood based hemicelluloses, focusing on glucuronoxylan in Eucalyptus grandis (E. grandis), by chemical and physical methods identified from literature. The methods investigated were; cationisation, carboxymethylation and ultrasound treatment. The modified hemicelluloses were applied as a wet-end additive to E. grandis pulp to test their effect on strength properties. An addition protocol for the new hemicelluloses additives was developed in this investigation. The E. grandis glucuronoxylan was extracted by using the mild alkali extraction method of Höije et al. The characterization of the extracted solids from the pure E. grandis chips showed that 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan was extracted with an average uronic acid content of 17.3 wt.%. The hemicelluloses yield was 50.75 wt.%, based on dry biomass, containing 40.76 wt.% xylose units. The solids still contained 26.6 wt.% lignin after extraction. The presence of lignin in the extracted solids indicated that the delignification step in the extraction method used, was not sufficient for the E. grandis biomass. The molecular weight of the extracted glucuronoxylan was 51 589 g.mol-1. It was proven that the modification methods from literature are applicable to E. grandis glucuronoxylan, producing cationic, carboxymethyl and low uronic acid content 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan. The cationic E. grandis glucuronoxylan produced had a degree of substitution between 0.05 and 0.73 and an uronic acid content ranging between 6.12 and 12.70 wt.%. The carboxymethylated E. grandis glucuronoxylan had a degree of substitution between 0.05 and 0.11 with a uronic acid content between 10.2 and 21.4%. The sonication of E. grandis glucuronoxylan resulted in products with molecular weights ranging from 54 856 to 57 347 g.mol-1 and uronic acid contents between 13.0 and 18.4 wt.%. Handsheet formation with the modified hemicelluloses added, showed that the cationic E. grandis glucuronoxylan improved handsheet strength and surface properties the best. Cationic E. grandis glucuronoxylan also outperformed the industrial additive, cationic starch at a dosage level of 1.0 wt.%. The addition protocol development for cationic E. grandis glucuronoxylan showed it is possible to add cationic hemicellulose before refining, which results in maximum contact time with the pulp fibres without inhibiting the effect of the additive. Cationic hemicellulose additive added before refining led to a decrease in refining energy required to reach the desired strength properties. It was concluded that the cationisation and carboxymethylation methods chosen from literature were applicable to the South African grown E. grandis glucuronoxylan. The cationic glucuronoxylan showed the best improvement in handsheet strength and surface properties. Cationic E. grandis glucuronoxylan could be added before refining in the papermaking process for maximum effectiveness of this new strength additive. The use of hemicellulosic additives will be more sustainable than starch, due to the presence of hemicelluloses in the initial biomass that enters the pulp and paper process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hemiselluloses is die mees volopste plantpolisakkariede naas sellulose, alhoewel die industriële gebruik van hierdie hemiselluloses tans nog beperk is. In die huidige verwerking van hout met behulp van die Kraft verpulpingsproses word die hemiselluloses gedegradeer na lae molukulêre massa isosakkariniese sure wat saam met die lignien in die swartloog afvalstroom eindig. Die ekstraksie van hierdie hemiselluloses vóór die verpulpingsproses, en latere byvoeging as ‘n sterktebymiddel in die papier vervaardigings proses, kan die papier treksterkte, bars-, en skeur eienskappe verbeter. Dit is aangetoon dat die ekstraksie van hemiselluloses vóór die verpulpingsproses nie die opbrengs en kwaliteit van papierprodukte negatief beïnvloed nie. Die doelwit van hierdie projek was om die modifikasie van hemiselluloses, ge-ekstraheer uit Eucalyptus grandis (E. grandis) hout vóór verpulping, deur middle van chemiese en fisiese metodes uit literatuur te ondersoek. Die projek het spesifiek gefokus op glukuronoxilaan verkry uit E. grandis en wat gemodifiseer is met met behulp van kationisasie, karboksimetilering en ultraklank behandeling. Die gemodifiseerde hemiselluloses is daarna benut as ‘n nat-kant bymiddel tot E. grandis pulp, om die sterkte eienskappe van papier te ondersoek. ‘n Toevoegingsprotokol is vir die nuwe hemisellulose bymiddel ontwikkel in hierdie ondersoek. Die glukuronoxilaan is deur middle van die matige alkali-ekstraksie metode van Höije geekstraheer. Karakterisering van die vastestof residu wat uit die suiwer E. grandis biomassa geekstraheer is het getoon dat 4-O-metielglukuronoxilaan geëkstraheer is, met ‘n gemiddelde glukuronosuurinhoud van 17.3 massa%. Die hemisellulose opbrengs was 50.75 massa%, gebaseer op droë biomassa, en dit het 40.76 massa% xylose-eenhede bevat. Die lignieninhoud van die soliedes was 26.6 massa% na ekstraksie. Die teenwoordigheid van die lignien het daarop gedui dat die delignifikasie (van die metode) van E. grandis biomassa nie voldoende was nie. Die molekulêre massa van die geëkstraheerde glukuronoxilaan was 51 589 g.mol-1. Dit is bewys dat die modifikasiemetodes toepasbaar is op die E. grandis glukuronoxilaan, en dat kationiese, karboksiemetiel en lae glukuronosuur 4-0-metielglukurono-xilaan geproduseer is. Die kationiese glukuronoxilaan het ‘n graad van substitusie tussen 0.05 en 0.73 gehad, met ‘n glukuronosuur inhoud tussen 6.12 en 12.70 massa%. Die karboksiemetielglukuronoxilaan het ‘n graad van substitusie tussen 0.05 en 0.11 gehad, met glukuronosuurinhoude tussen 10.2 en 21.4 massa%. Die ultraklankbehandelde glukuronoxilaan het molekulêre massas tussen 54 856 en 57 347 g.mol-1 gehad met glukuronosuurinhoude tussen 13.0 en 18.4 massa%. Papier handvelproduksie van die pulp waar tydens die gemodifiseerde hemiselluloses toe gevoeg is, het aangedui dat die kationiese E. grandis glukuronoxilaan die grootste sterkte- en oppervlakeienskappe verbetering getoon het. Die kationiese glukuronoxilaan het ook, in terme van verbetering van pulpeienskappe, die industrieële kationiese stysel bymiddel oortref, by ‘n doserings vlak van 1.0 massa%. Die toevoegingsprotokol ontwikkeling vir die kationiese E. grandis glukuronoxilaan het getoon dat hemiselluloses byvoeging tot die papiermaakproses vóór die raffinerings stadium die mees gunstige was, met dosering tussen 0.5 en 2.0 massa%. Die byvoeging van kationiese hemiselluloses vóór raffinering het gelei tot ‘n afname in raffineringsenergie wat benodig word om die verlangde sterkteeienskap te verkry. Dit is bevesting gekose kationisasie- en karboksimetilerings metodes toepasbaar op die Suid Afrikaanse E. grandis glukuronoxilaan was. Die kationiese glukuronoxilaan het die grootste verbetering in pulpeienskappe, in terme van handvelsterkte en oppervlakeienskappe, getoon. Kationiese glukuronoxilaan moet vóór raffinering tot die papiermaakproses bygevoeg word vir maksimum doeltreffendheid van hierdie nuwe sterktebymiddel. Die gebruik van hemisellulose bymiddels sal meer volhoubaar wees as stysel, omdat die hemiselluloses wat in die biomassa aanwesig is, in die proses teruggrplaas word.

Orientador: Jean-Paul Laclau / Coorientador: Iraê Amaral Guerrini / Banca: Christophe Jourdan / Banca: José Leonardo de Moraes Gonçalves / Banca: Ciro Antonio Rosolem / Banca: Jean-Christophe Domec / Resumo: Melhorar nossa compreensão sobre a dinâmica espaço-temporal de raízes finas e dos gases de efeito estufa em camadas profundas do solo é um componente chave para identificar práticas silviculturais mais sustentáveis para florestas plantadas num contexto de mudança climática e para melhorar os atuais modelos biogeoquímicos. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do corte raso e da seca na produção de raízes finas, nos efluxos de CO2, CH4 e N2O do solo e da produção ao longo dos perfis profundos do solo até o lençol freático nas plantações de eucalipto manejadas em talhadia. A raízes finas foram amostradas até 17 m de profundidade num experimento de exclusão de chuva comparando parcelas com 37% de precipitação excluída (-W) e sem exclusão de chuva (+ W). A dinâmica das raízes foi estudada usando minirhizotron em duas trincheiras permanentes até 17 m de profundidade nos tratamentos -W e + W, durante 1 ano antes do corte raso e 2 anos depois do corte em talhadia, e tambem até 4 m de profundidade numa parcela sem corte (NH), servindo como controle. Os efluxos de CO2, CH4 e N2O na superfície do solo foram medidos ao longo de três anos utilizando o método de câmara manual nos tratamentos -W, + W e NH. As concentrações de CO2, CH4 e N2O no solo foram medidas a partir das trincheiras até uma profundidade de 15.5 m nos tratamentos -W, + W e NH durante 3 meses antes do corte raso e 1.5 ano depois em talhadia. Após o corte, ocorreu um grande crescimento radicular das árvores con... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Tree growth is highly dependent on the absorptive function of fine roots for water and nutrients. Fine roots also play a major role in the global carbon (C) cycle, mainly through production, respiration, exudation and decomposition processes. Improving our understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of fine roots and greenhouse gases in deep soil layers is a key component to identify more sustainable silvicultural practices for planted forests in a context of climate change and to improve the current biogeochemical models. Our study aimed to assess the effect of clear-cutting and drought on fine-root production, soil CO2, CH4 and N2O effluxes and production throughout deep soil profiles down to the water table in Brazilian coppice-managed Eucalyptus plantations. Fine roots (i.e. diameter < 2 mm) were sampled down to a depth of 17 m in a throughfall exclusion experiment comparing stands with 37% of throughfall excluded by plastic sheets (-W) and stands without rain exclusion (+W). Root dynamics were studied using minirhizotron in two permanent pits down to a depth of 17 m in treatments -W and +W, over 1 year before clear-cutting, then over 2 years in coppice, as well as down to a depth of 4 m in a non-harvested plot (NH) serving as a control. CO2, CH4 and N2O surface effluxes were measured over three years using the closed-chamber method in treatments -W, +W and NH. CO2, CH4 and N2O concentrations in the soil were measured from the pits down to a depth of 15.5 m in treatments -W, +W and NH over 3 months before the clear-cut and 1.5 years after in coppice. After harvesting, spectacular fine root growth of trees conducted in coppice occurred in very deep soil layers (> 13 m) and, surprisingly, root mortality remained extremely low whatever the depth and the treatment. Total fine-root biomass in coppice down to a depth of 17 m was 1266 and 1017 g m-2 in treatments +W and -W, respectively, at 1.5 years a ... / Resume: Améliorer notre compréhension de la dynamique spatio-temporelle des racines fines et des gaz à effet de serre dans les couches profondes du sol est un élément clé pour identifier des pratiques sylvicoles plus durables pour les forêts plantées dans un contexte de changement climatique et pour améliorer les modèles biogéochimiques actuels. Cette étude visait à évaluer l'effet de la coupe des arbres et de la sécheresse sur la production de racines fines et la production de CO2, N2O et CH4 dans des profils de sol très profonds en plantation d'Eucalyptus conduite en taillis au Brésil. Les racines fines, d'un diamètre inférieur à 2 millimètres, ont été échantillonnées jusqu'à une profondeur de 17 m sur un dispositif d'exclusion de pluie comparant des peuplements soumis à une exclusion de 37% des pluies (-W) et des peuplements sans exclusion (+ W). La dynamique des racines a été étudiée à l'aide de minirhizotrons installés dans deux fosses permanentes d'une profondeur de 17 m dans les traitement -W et + W, pendant un an avant la coupe des arbres, puis pendant deux ans en taillis, et jusqu'à 4 m de profondeur dans un peuplement non récolté (NH) servant de témoin. Les efflux de CO2, CH4 et N2O à la surface du sol ont été mesurés durant trois ans dans les traitements -W, + W et NH. Les concentrations en CO2, CH4 et N2O dans le sol ont été mesurées à partir de fosses permanentes jusqu'à une profondeur de 15.5 m dans les traitements -W, + W et NH durant 3 mois avant la coupe des arbres et 1.5 ans après la coupe, en taillis. La croissance des racines fines était considérable à grande profondeur (> 13 m) chez les arbres menés en taillis et, étonnamment, la mortalité des racines fines était extrêmement faible quelle que soit la profondeur et le traitement. La biomasse totale de racines fines jusqu'à 17 m de profondeur était de 1266 et 1017 g ... / Doutor

Orientador: Ivan de Godoy Maia / Banca: Douglas Silva Domingues / Banca: Marilia Gaspar / Resumo: A biotecnologia define-se pelo uso de conhecimentos sobre os processos biológicos e sobre as propriedades dos seres vivos, com o fim de resolver problemas e criar produtos de utilidade. É importante frisar que uma das principais vantagens da biotecnologia moderna voltada para a área vegetal é a de poder gerar estratégias de melhoramento aplicáveis a diferentes culturas. Uma das principais estratégias de ação nessa área trata da produção de plantas geneticamente modificadas com transgenes de interesse. Nesse contexto, a caracterização de promotores com padrão de expressão tecido-específico é essencial para que a expressão de tais transgenes em plantas de interesse agronômico e florestal, como em eucalipto, fique limitada a determinados órgãos/tecidos. . Assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo realizar a caracterização funcional do promotor do gene EgTIP2 que codifica uma putativa aquaporina intrínseca de tonoplasto (TIP) com expressão específica em raízes de eucalipto. Em paralelo, o perfil de expressão desse gene em resposta ao estresse osmótico foi investigado em eucalipto. Análises de expressão mostraram que tanto o promotor quanto o gene EgTIP2 são regulados positivamente pelo estresse osmótico curto e persistente, enquanto que o promotor parece ser regulado negativamente na presença de ABA-exógeno. Testes histoquímicos revelaram uma expressão vascular-específica dirigida pelo promotor EgTIP2 em plantas de tabaco transgênicas, sugerindo uma possível utilização como ferramenta para aplicação em engenharia genética de espécies lenhosas / Abstract: Not available / Mestre

Apesar da importância econômica e ambiental que a madeira representa como fonte natural e renovável de energia e fibras, pouco é conhecido sobre os processos celulares, moleculares e bioquímicos envolvidos com a sua formação. Usando metodologias proteômicas como 2D-PAGE e espectrometria de massas foi iniciada a análise do proteoma do caule de Eucalyptus grandis em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento (5 meses, 3 anos e 6 anos). O presente trabalho baseou-se especificamente na idade de cinco meses. As plantas tiveram suas folhas, raízes e cascas removidas e seus caules foram macerados em almofariz com nitrogênio líquido e as proteínas extraídas pelo método de extração fenólica. As proteínas foram separadas por eletroforese bidimensional em fitas IPG com gradiente de pH imobilizado linear de 4-7 na primeira dimensão e gel de poliacrilamida (12,5%) na segunda dimensão. A coloração dos géis foi realizada com coomassie G250. Foram detectados 438 spots e um total de 168 spots foram retirados do gel, digeridos com tripsina e submetidos ao sequenciamento por espectrometria de massas através do sistema LCMS/ MS. O sequenciamento por MS apresentou uma eficiência de 72,02% possibilitando a identificação de 121 spots, enquanto que 35 (20,83%) não apresentaram homologia com nenhuma base de dados. Entre as proteínas identificadas 22 foram representadas por mais de um spot, podendo indicar a ocorrência e eventos provenientes do splicing alternativo, modificações pós-traducional, variações alélicas de uma mesma proteína ou degradação da amostra. Entre os spots analisados, 22,02% estão relacionados com a produção de energia, (17,86%) metabolismo, (13,69%) processes celulares, (0,60%) transporte, (8,33%) componentes estruturais, (5,36%) metabolismo macromolecular, (4,17%) proteínas putativas, (20,83%) não apresentaram homologia com nenhuma base de dados e (7,14%) não demonstraram resultado. A comparação realizada entre o volume de 59 proteínas e os seus respectivos transcritos demonstrou que não existe correlação entre mRNA e as proteínas do caule. O método possibilitou uma rápida e precisa separação e identificação das proteínas do caule de Eucalyptus grandis que são diferencialmente expressas durante a fase de crescimento de cinco meses. / The process of wood formation is an important economical factor for the forestry industry and it is also of ecological importance, although little is known about the proteins involved in wood formation. The sequencing, identification and analysis of proteins provides such information of wood formation. Using proteomics techniques such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry we have started a proteomic analysis of wood formation in Eucalyptus grandis at different stages of development (5 months, 3 and 6 years old). This work presents data related to the stage of 5 months. Using high resolution 2DE with linear pH gradient ranging from 4 to 7, a total of 438 spots were detected. However, only 168 spots were analyzed by LC ESIMS/ MS and 121 were identified (72.02%) while 35 (20.83%) presented no homology in the database used. Overall, 22 proteins appeared as multiple spots and accounted for most of the proteins found in the group. This observation may reflect post-translation modification, alternative splicing events, isozyme variation, allelic variation of the same protein, but also protein degradation. Over the 168 spots analysed, (22.02%) play a role in energy, (17.86%) metabolism, (13.69%) cellular processes, (0.60%) transport, (8.33%) structural components, (5.36%) macromolecular metabolism, (4.17%) putative protein, (20.83%) no homology and (7.14%) no result. For 59 proteins, the spot volume was compared with their respective transcript with mRNAs extracted from wood forming tissue. The method provided a faster and accurate tool for separation and identify of protein which are differentially expressed under different stages of development in Eucalyptus grandis.

Orientador: Tatiele A. Bergamo Fenilli. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal, Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau.

Orientador: Cláudio Angeli Sansígolo / Banca: Gustavo Ventorim / Banca: Mario de Oliveira Neto / Banca: Elias Taylor Durgante Severo / Banca: Mauricio Scorsatto Sartori / Resumo: O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a relação que há entre as propriedades da madeira e as características dos produtos finais para celulose e energia. O material consistiu de árvores de Eucalyptus grandis (7 anos) e Eucalyptus saligna (nas idades de 5,5; 6; 7 e 17 anos). Foram realizadas as seguintes análises: parâmetros dendrométricos, densidade básica e composição química da madeira, carbono fixo e teor de voláteis, poder calorífico, Analise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e polpação kratf. Os resultados mostraram que as características que diferem o E. saligna nas idades de 5,5 e 6 anos (tipo de plantio e procedência), tiveram influência na propriedade física da madeira, no processo de polpação e no Poder Calorífico Superior (PCS) das árvores. O material genético que apresentou maior potencial para produção de celulose, foi o E. saligna (5,5 anos), com alto rendimento depurado e baixos rejeitos. Para uso energético, os dois materiais apresentaram resultados satisfatórios. Porém, o material genético com maior potencial foi o E. saligna (6 anos). A espécie apresentou maior densidade básica, maiores teores de extrativos e lignina e menor teor de umidade, com maior PCS em Kcal/m3 e maior % Carbono fixo. Na comparação entre E. saligna e E. grandis, observou-se que embora essas duas espécies tenham sido plantadas sobre as mesmas condições (solo, adubação, clima), fica evidente a influência da espécie, dada as diferenças em suas propriedades da madeira e em seus potenciais par... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship between the properties of wood and the characteristics of the final products for cellulose and energy. The material consisted of Eucalyptus grandis (7 years) and Eucalyptus saligna trees (ages 5.5, 6, 7 and 17 years). The following analyzes were performed: dendrometric parameters, basic density and chemical composition of wood, fixed carbon and volatile content, Calorific Value (CV), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Kratf Pulping. The results showed that the characteristics that differ from E. saligna at the ages of 5.5 and 6 years (type of planting and provenance) had an influence on the physical property of the wood, the pulping process and the Calorific Value. The genetic material that presented the greatest potential for cellulose production was E. saligna (5.5 years), with high yield and low rejects. For energy use, both materials presented satisfactory results. However, the genetic material with the greatest potential was E. saligna (6 years). The species presented higher basic density, higher extractive and lignin contents and lower moisture content, with higher CV in Kcal/m3 and higher % Fixed Carbon. In the comparison between E. saligna and E. grandis, it was observed that although these two species were planted under the same conditions (soil, fertilization, climate), the influence of the species is evident given, the differences in their properties of wood and in their potential for energy and cellulose use. In the pulping the E. grandis species presented more satisfactory results, with fewer rejects and higher yield. For energy use the specie that stand out most for the chemical properties of wood and high values of CV, fixed carbon and basic density is E. saligna (7 years old). In the third analyzed condition, age was an influencing factor, affecting the chemical and physical properties of the wood. Where 17-year-old E. ... / Doutor

Orientador: Roberto Lyra Villas Bôas / Banca: Antônio de Pádua Sousa / Banca: Magali Ribeiro da Silva / Banca: Caroline de Moura D'Andrea Mateus / Banca: Claudinei Paulo de Lima / Resumo: O experimento foi realizado em duas etapas, a primeira foi composta pela caracterização físico-química do hidrogel em laboratório e a segunda pelo ensaio em campo. As análises laboratoriais foram realizadas no Departamento de Recursos Naturais/Ciência do Solo da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, pertencente à Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" Campus de Botucatu/SP. O ensaio em campo foi implantado em agosto de 2009 na Fazenda Santa Clara (48º 40' 45" W e 23º 18' 47" S) localizada no município de Itatinga/SP. O polímero estudado foi o Hydrosolo H™ com capacidade de reter 500 ml de água por grama do polímero. No experimento em campo adotou-se o delineamento experimental fatorial 2 x 5 (2 modos de aplicação x 5 doses do polímero mais o controle) em blocos casualizados com 4 repetições, parcelas compostas por 49 plantas, sendo 25 úteis para avaliação. As aplicações de hidrogel foram realizadas na cova e via superficial simulando o uso com plantadeira e aplicador do tipo chuveirinho, sendo utilizadas as quantidades do polímero 0; 0,85; 1,50; 2,20; 2,90 e 3,60 g planta-1. Em laboratório foi avaliado a densidade, capacidade de retenção de água, pH e condutividade elétrica do hidrogel, em campo experimental foram avaliados a altura da planta, o diâmetro do caule, o índice relativo de clorofila e o número de ramos no plantio, e aos 15 e 30 dias após o plantio. O índice de sobrevivência, volume de água utilizado em cada tratamento, número de irrigações necessárias, intervalo de dias 2 entre as irrigações e os custos operacionais e do polímero foram mensurados ao fim do experimento. O polímero promoveu beneficio, pois com sua aplicação ocorreu 100% de sobrevivência das mudas após 30 dias do plantio; reduziu em 57% o número de irrigações necessárias para promover o povoamento florestal; aumentou o intervalo ... / Abstract: The experiment was conducted in two stages, the first was composed by physicochemical characterization of the hydrogel in the laboratory and the second field test. Laboratory tests were performed at the UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus of Botucatu/SP, Department of Natural Resources/Soil Science in Lageado Experimental Farm. The field test was implemented in August 2009 in Santa Clara farm (48º 40' 45" W and 23º 18' 47" S) in the city of Itatinga/SP. The polymer was studied Hydrosolo H ™ capable of retaining 500 ml of water per gram of polymer. The field experiment adopted the experimental design factorial 2 x 5 (2 modes of application and 5 polymer doses plus the control) in a randomized block design with four replications, plots with 49 plants, being 25 useful to analyse. The applications of hydrogel were performed on furrow and surface simulating the use with of the planter, and applicator with showerhead type, being used the quantities of polymer 0; 0,85; 1,50; 2,20; 2,90 and 3,60 g.plant-1. In laboratory was evaluated density, water holding capacity, pH and electrical conductivity of the hydrogel, and the experimental field were evaluated plant height, stem diameter relative chlorophyll index, and number of branches at planting, 15 and 30 days after transplantation. The survival rate, volume of water used in each treatment, number of irrigations needed, interval days between irrigations and operating costs and the polymer were measured after experiment. The polymer promoted great cost x benefit, because it occurred 100% survival of plants after 30 days of transplantation; reduced by 57% the number of irrigations needed to promote forest stand; increased the interval between irrigations, from 4 for 10 days; significant reduced in water consumption in irrigation both as per hectare or per plants, occurring savings of 58% (18,3 m3 ha-1), the operating cost of irrigation ... / Doutor

No description available.

In South Africa, clonal forestry of Eucalyptus and its hybrids has been implemented to increase the productivity on existing forestry lands and marginal sites and to facilitate the production of desired fibre types for timber processing operations. The cold-tolerant Eucalyptus grandis x E. nitens hybrids have produced consistently high yields, and are propagated clonally with limited success via a macro-cutting system currently in use for other hybrid species. The heart of vegetative propagation operations is the clonal hedge and its management, and nutrition in particular, is an important element of any vegetative propagation programme. However, achieving and sustaining an optimum nutritional balance in macrohedges is difficult in practice and, in order to accurately predetermine the optimum plant nutrition required all year round and to ensure optimal levels of rooting, a more controllable nutrient environment is essential. Hydroponics may facilitate this control of nutrition. At the same time it may be possible to manipulate the system to determine accurately what levels of each nutrient may contribute to the highest rooting and more importantly allow forest nursery managers to maintain those levels in a practical manner. The main aims of the present work were to obtain and compare cuttings and rooting yields from hydro-ramets in different hydroponic substrates and systems and to investigate the possible roles of essential nutrients on those parameters. Modified Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), ebb-and-flow and aeroponic tables were used in this study. The former consisted of eight individual gutters, allowing for eight different substrates to be tested simultaneously. One gutter was set up as an unmodified NFT table and the other seven gutters had gravel, Leca, peat, perlite, perlite: vermiculite mix, Rockwool® and sand as substrates; all were supplied with the same nutrient solution. Three commercial clones were used throughout these trials: GN107, GN156 and NHOO. Rooting results and data from plant elemental analyses indicated that certain elements (Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn and B) appeared to play a more important role in rooting than others (N, P, K, Mg, Na and Fe). It was also found that when comparing the hydroponic systems, the substrate and / or method of irrigation affected the availability and uptake of different nutrients, which in turn affected the rooting of coppice collected from those ramets. The rooting performance of coppice from the eight different substrates tested in the NFT system was compared. Within each of the four harvests undertaken, both clone and substrate had a significant effect on the rooting performance. However, when the four harvests were compared, only harvest number/time had a significant effect on the rooting performance of the cuttings derived from the hydro-hedges . For both the ebb-and-flow and aeroponics systems (where there was no substrate), only the clone had a significant effect on the rooting performance. In addition to this, the plants from the ebb-and-flow system produced the highest number of cuttings to be placed overall (7.9 cuttings per mother plant per harvest) while those from the gravel substrate had the highest rooting percentage overall (26.9 %). When combining these two factors into a success rate, the perlite substrate rated highest (1.7 rooted cuttings per mother plant per harvest). From a cost efficiency perspective, perlite was the most cost effective substrate, as it required the least initial capital outlay to produce one million rooted clones per year from a hydroponics system (R6 533 655). The plants in the perlite substrate also produced the highest number (6 700) of rooted cuttings per year from 1 000 mother plants with a low cost per plant (R2.33 per rooted plant). / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu- Natal, Durban, 2004.