Height-diameter equations for Brazil nut intercropped with rubber tree in the South of Minas Gerais

Abstract

Brazil nut is a worldwide-recognized species due to its nuts, traded around the globe playing an important social and economic role in the Amazon. Several studies published information on issues related to nuts production and effects of seed gathering in the species regeneration. Nonetheless, to our knowledge there are no studies focusing on dendrometric parameters for Brazil nut outside its natural occurrence area. Thus, our study aimed to adjust height-diameter equations for Brazil nut intercropped with rubber tree in the South of Minas Gerais. Four standard models were tested using an ordinary least squares-regression analysis. The goodness-of-fit criteria used were the adjusted coefficient of determination ( 2), the percent standard error of estimate (SEE%) and the residual distribution analysis. The best-fit equation for the estimation of height was from model 1 ( 2 = 0.950;SEE% = 9.768). The adjusted height-diameter equations had comparable 2 and SEE%to other published studies on Brazil nut trees and further species. The adjusted height-diameter equation provided by this study can give support to future forest mensuration and management researches with this species, especially in the South-Central region of Brazil.