XVI International Botanical Congess

Recultivation of degraded land areas in Central Amazonia including long-lived high-quality timber trees in mixed culture plantation systems is desired. Carapa guianensis Aubl. from monocultures ages 4 and 17 yrs, and a primary forest was studied. Growth dynamics of 4-yr-old trees revealed 11-15 increment zones that could not be correlated with increment zones shown by vessel enrichment. By year 5, parenchyma bands indicate the adult wood pattern. Early formation of mature wood is traceable in relative incidence of vessels, fibres, and parenchyma. Fibre length reaches its plateau (1.45-1.59 mm) by 4 years. Fibre lengths and density of plantation-grown trees correspond to primary forest trees. According to this study, Carapa guianensis can be recommended for high-quality timber production in plantations.