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Evaluación del crecimiento, densidad y secado de la madera de balsa (Ochroma pyramidale), en plantaciones de corta rotación, bajo diferentes densidades de siembra en la zona Huetar Caribe de Costa Rica

Project: Research Projects Internally fundedBasic and applied research

Project Details

Description

Recently, there has been an increase in the establishment of balsa plantations (Ochroma pyramidale) in the Huetar Caribe region, as a result of international market windows promoted by individuals. In the absence of technological and scientific knowledge on the cultivation of this species, both the Association for the Sustainable Development of the Atlantic Region (ASIREA) and independent producers have requested the School of Forest Engineering to participate in this process by generating the silvicultural and wood technology information necessary for producers to have a more solid base for the establishment of their plantations.

The project aims to collect information on the geographical location of the existing balsa plantations in the Huetar Caribe region, measure the dasometric variables at different plantation ages, associate their growth with the type of soil, and design a growth model that provides more silvicultural information.

A trial test to determine the growth of the species at different planting distances is established, using four treatments and at least three repetitions, in order to provide producers with statistically validated information on the optimal distance to reach the levels required in the international market

Wood density at different ages and planting distances is evaluated using statistical methods. The results are associated with growth information to complement the information that the producer requires for plantation management.

Finally, three different wood drying methods are statistically evaluated to determine which one best meets the international market wood moisture content requirements.

The results of the project are disclosed through a field day, fold-out type informative material, a technical note, and three scientific articles

General Objective

Generar información silvicultural y de la densidad y secado de la madera de la especie balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) para procurar un manejo adecuado que satisfaga los requerimientos del mercado internacional.

Research Lines

Productividad y calidad de plantaciones forestales
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date1/01/2331/12/25

Keywords

  • Light wood
  • Wood drying
  • Wood density
  • Fast-growing species
  • Planting spacing

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