Allometric equations for biomass and contents of macronutrients in a young Tectona grandis stand

Evaluations of biomass and nutrient contents in teak stands are necessary alternatives for avoiding early cutting to provide supplemental data for the plant module of fertilization recommendation systems. This study aimed to adjust allometric equations to estimate the accumulation of biomass and nutrient contents in teak plantations in the central region of Brazil. Plots in seminal and clonal stands contained 81 trees aged 75 months, that had not received previous fertilization or thinning. Additional clonal stands aged 15, 51 and 63 months and a seminal stand aged 63 months had been previously fertilized during implantation. Allometric equations for biomass and macronutrient contents were obtained for components of the aerial parts of trees as a function of diameter at 1.3 m height (DBH), and the possibility of using an equation or the need for specific equations was evaluated for genetic material (seminal or clonal) and the fertilization scheme (not fertilized or fertilized). The equations adjusted to the four sets of stands, all with elevated predictive capacity, did not differ among each other based on an identity test. Thus, the use of a robust equation adjusted with data from all stands is recommended to obtain estimates with a high degree of accuracy. The biomass and accumulation of macronutrients in components of the aerial parts of teak trees should be considered to obtain the nutrient contents in both the exportable components in thinned trees and the components maintained in the area and available for biogeochemical cycling.

Automated summary

This study aimed to adjust allometric equations to estimate the accumulation of biomass and nutrient contents in teak plantations in the central region of Brazil. The equations adjusted for the four sets of stands, all with elevated predictive capacity, did not differ among each other based on an identity test. It is recommended to use a robust equation adjusted with data from all stands to obtain estimates with a high degree of accuracy.