Abstract

FAJARDO-CANALES, Gissel Esperanza; MEJIA-PINEDA, Nelson  and  GUTIERREZ-BARDALES, Javier. Calorific potential and accumulation of biomass of the specie Leucaena macrophylla Benth. established with three types of spacing in Cortes, Honduras. Kurú [online]. 2018, vol.15, suppl.1, pp.80-87.  Epub July 19, 2019. ISSN 2215-2504.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18845/rfmk.v15i1.3840.

The study and testing of different tree species for the purpose of generating biomass as an energy source in Honduras is essential for the development of a mixed energy matrix that generates less dependence on fossil fuels and imported natural gas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of biomass by diameter and height growth and the calorimetric power of Leucaena macrophylla. For which it was established with three spacings that were 1.0 x 1.0 m, 1.5 x 1.5 m and 2.0 x 2.0 m; each spacing was planted on 3.56 ha and, in each one, 8 permanent plots were established, which were evaluated at 12, 18 and 24 months, harvesting trees in each measurement to estimate the caloric power. The results indicated that at 12 months of age, there were no identified differences between the three spacings, having an average diameter of 3.7 cm, height of 3.4 m and biomass of 4.1 ton/ha of dry biomass; however, at 18 and 24 months the spacing of 1.0 x 1.0 m presented lower growth and biomass accumulation data due to high competition between the individuals which stalled their growth, while the other two spacings did not show differences between them. In the case of the physical and calorimetric properties, no differences were found in the green, dry and anhydrous density of the three spacings in the three periods studied, with the other variables analyzed at 12 months no differences were found between the spacings, it is later, at 18 months, in which the spacing of 1.5 x 1.5m presented lower wood moisture contents and higher caloric power in green and dry condition (24 months were higher than 15,000 kJ / kg); values considered as optimal to establish the species L. macropylla with said spacing for an energetic purpose

Keywords : Forest plantation; caloric power; wood properties; dendroenergic plantation.

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