Potential use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy for pine species discrimination by examination of needles

Abstract

The correct identification of pine species is necessary for proper application of wood in forest‑based industries, since the quality of each species’ wood depends on factors intrinsic to the material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of near‑infrared and visible spectroscopy in the discrimination of pine species planted in southern Brazil. Needles of Pinus clausa, P. glabra, P. kesiya, P. oocarpa, P. palustris, P. pseudostrobus, P. rigida, P. roxburghii and P. serotina were collected from experimental plantations located in the region of Rio Negro, Paraná, Brazil. The needles were dried and milled for analysis. The evaluation was performed with a spectral range of 400–750 nm (visible) and 1 000–2 500 nm (near‑infrared). Analysis using the visible spectra resulted in two principal components explaining 95% of the variation between the needle samples. In the near‑infrared analysis, it was possible to discriminate between all nine pine species studied using only two principal components, where the first explained 99% of the variation between species. Spectroscopy based on needles can be used for pine species discrimination, using the original data without mathematical treatment, in southern Brazil.