ASPECTOS SILVICULTURAIS DA CASTANHA-DO-BRASIL ( Bertholletia excelsa HUMB. E BONPL.)

This study aimed to evaluate dendrometric variables of Brazilian-nut tree ( Bertholletia excelsa Humb. e Bonpl.) in homogeneous plantations under full sun, at 27 years after plantation, Amazonas, Brazil. The data analyzed were survival, commercial height, diameter at breast height, cylinder volume, volume per individual, basal area, and average annual increment in height, in diameter, and in volume. The bole quality was characterized as straight or tortuous. The individuals had commercial height equal to 12.8 m, and the cylinder volume was high (236.71 m 3 h -1 ), due to the advanced age of planting. The majority of individuals presented straight bole. We observed low values of survival (69%), diameter at breast height (21.88 cm), average annual increment in height (0.47 m yr -1 ), in diameter (0.81 cm yr -1 ), and in volume (8.77 m 3 ha -1 yr -1 ), probable due to competition among trees for resources in the small plant spacing (3 m x 3 m), and non-performing hoeing and crowning. Keywords: Amazon; forest plantation; plant growth; silviculture.