EFFECT OF PLANTING DENSITY ON THE PROFITABILITY OF Eucalyptus globulus PLANTATIONS

This study provides an economic evaluation of the response to planting densities and spacing patterns in Eucalyptus globulus planted for pulping. The Monte Carlo technique was used to examine the effect of price variations and the discount rate on profitability. The trial was carried out in the Central Valley of the IX Region of Chile. The treatments (T) were: 1,000 trees.ha(-1) (T1); 1,428 trees.ha(-1) (T2); 1,667 trees.ha(-1) (T3); and 2,000 trees.ha(-1) (T4). The production volume of each treatment was measured at harvest age (10 years), and then a financial analysis was made to obtain the profitability (present net value, PNV; economic land value, ELV; and internal rate of return, IRR). The highest PNV values were obtained with Ti (330 US$.ha(-1)) and T4 (322 US$.ha(-1)). The predictions obtained for the PNV of Ti showed a probable occurrence of 73 %, making it the least risky investment option. Higher volumetric yields (T4 and T3) do not lead to higher profitability, since the increase in planting density leads to an increase in the unit cost per plant for land management, weed control and fertilization