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The objective of this study was to evaluate the wood chemical and energetic characteristics of Eucalyptus spp. clones planted in three sites in the Midwest of Brazil. Thus, five clones from Eucalyptus spp. were planted in different sites aiming to determine the qualitative characteristics of the wood resulting from the variation in the tree growth environment and the genetic material. The same clones were planted in the three sites to determine the genotype × environment interaction. The trees were then sampled at 5 years after planting for their physical–chemical and energetic characterization. The results showed that the wood characteristics vary in different proportions according to the clone, just as the growth environment of the trees alters the behavior of the clones for the same characteristics. The edaphic variables affected the wood characteristics, inferring that the water content in the soil has more effect on the wood properties than the water content in the air, mainly on wood basic density. The results of this study indicate that using the appropriate genotype related to the environment conditions determines the wood characteristics, since the wood properties are strongly influenced by the edaphoclimatic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) application in the biomass yield and energetic characteristics of biofuels (fresh and briquettes) of elephant grass grown in tropical conditions. The experiment was carried out during two consecutive harvests, and the following nitrogen fertilizer doses were evaluated: 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg of N ha−1 year−1. Biometric variables, biomass yield, total accumulated nitrogen, and C:N ratio and biomass energetic characterization were carried out. Briquettes were produced for the evaluation of the energetic, physical, and mechanical characteristics. Nitrogen application influenced the elephant grass yield growing in tropical conditions. The biomass yield reached 43 Mg ha−1 in the second harvest. The application of 100 kg ha−1 N promoted greater efficiency in the use of N and biomass yield. Thus, this is the recommended dose for cultivation of elephant grass for energy purposes in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cerrado biome (Brazilian Savannah). Elephant grass presented high heating value (17,196 kJ kg−1), ash content (4.77%), and bulk and energy density (206.00 kg m−3 and 0.84 Gcal m−3) that make it suitable for use as an energy resource in the fresh form. However, the production of briquettes improved its energetic characteristics. The application of N did not change the high heating value of biomass and the characteristics of briquettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]