Bioethanol production using high density Eucalyptus crops in Uruguay [Research article]

Experimental scale crops for Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus tereticornis, at 2,220, 4,440 and 6,660 trees ha?1 were established in two soil units, at Paysandú and Tacuarembó, Uruguay. Wood samples were taken from twenty-two-months-old trees, and were used to produce bioethanol by pre-hydrolysis simultaneous saccharyfication and fermentation process (PSSF). Cellulose and lignin content was analyzed. Species and planting density affected biomass production at both sites; the highest value was obtained with E. dunnii at 6,660 trees ha?1 at Paysandú.