Impact of age and genotype on the quality of eucalyptus wood for dissolving pulp

Wood properties for dissolving pulp production are little explored in wood quality research, mainly when it comes to eucalyptus trees. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to assess age and genotype impact on the quality of wood from young eucalyptus clones aimed at dissolving pulp production. Five trees from two clones, Eucalyptus urophylla (A) and E. urophylla x E. spp. (B), at the ages of 3 and 5 years, from crops located in Itanagra and Alagoinhas, Bahia State, Brazil, were assessed. Three wooden discs were removed from six trees at positions 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % diameter at breast height (DBH) of the commercial height set for macroscopic characterization and wood chemical, physical and anatomical properties. Material age had impact on heartwood and bark production; and extractives, ash, xylans, galactans, arabinans rates, as well as wood vessels’ diameter and frequency. Genotypes had impact on extractives, lignin ash, hemicelluloses, xylans and galactans levels. Thus, wood chemical composition was the property most influenced by factors ‘age’ and ‘genotype’. Furthermore, clone A, at the age of 5 years, was the one with the greatest potential to dissolving pulp production, based on the following findings: the highest basic density (450 kg.m³), the highest glucans rate (48 %) and the lowest hemicellulose concentration (23 %). [Display omitted] •Age and genotype played important role in eucalyptus wood properties.•Wood chemical composition was the property most influenced by factors ‘age’ and ‘genotype.•Eucalyptus urophylla (Clone A), at the age of 5 years, was the one with the greatest potential to dissolving pulp production.•Provided valuable information to optimize future dissolving pulp sustainable production strategies.