Valuing small end diameter, branches and modulus of elasticity in Pinus radiata logs by a partial regression

Abstract

Economic values of P radiata wood quality traits contribute to decision making in tree breeding and log segregation by providing a guide to efficiently target those attributes possessing the highest value; however, in Chile there are not studies that report this information. Thus, the current study applied the partial regression method to value log small end diameter, branch diameter and dynamic modulus of elasticity in a sample of 71 unpruned logs. The average log conversion return was 57 US$ m^-3; it showed a high and significant correlation with MoE_d. The regression generated values that are comparable with similar worldwide studies. Thus, economic values were 0.6 US$ cm^-1 and 17.1 US$ GPa^-1 for small end diameter and dynamic modulus of elasticity, respectively; whereas the economic value of branch diameter was zero. Future studies to value wood quality attributes should apply partial regressions and alternative approaches to compare them, and hence, to determine which one would be the most suitable for wood production in Chile.