GROWTH AND VOLUMETRIC PRODUCTION OF EUCALYPTUS CLONES IN DIFFERENT PLANTING SPACES

In forest stands, the ideal planting spacing can provide each tree with enough space for its establishment, aiming at greater growth and wood quality, according to the objective of planting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth in height, diameter, and volumetric production of three eucalyptus clones planted in different spacings. The experiment was carried out in an area belonging to Campo Bom Farm, in Chapadão do Sul, MS. A randomized block design was used in a factorial scheme, combining six spacings (2.5 x 0.5 m; 2.5 x 1.0 m; 2.5 x 2.0 m; 3.0 x 0.5 m; 3.0 x 1.0 m and 3.0 x 2.0 m) and three clone of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla (GG 680, GG 157 and GG 100) with three replications. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and height of all plants were evaluated at 12, 18, 24, and 32 months after planting. At 32 months, the cubage of a tree per plot was performed to obtain the volume of wood per tree and hectare. In the largest spacings, the highest average plant heights were observed. The growth of plant height was reduced from 24 months of age, except for the GG 680 clone, at 2.5 x 2.0 m and 2.5 x 1.0 m spacings, and in GG 100 clone, at 2.5 x 1.0 m spacing. The average diameter and volume per tree increased with the spacing for the three clones, while the volume per area was higher in the denser spacing. Wood volume production per area was dependent on the spacing used for the three clones.