ANATOMICAL PROPERTIES OF STRAW OF VARIOUS ANNUAL PLANTS USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WOOD PANELS

The aim of this study was to determine basic anatomical features of annual plant fibers used as wood substitutes for the production of wood-based panels. For this purpose rye, wheat, triticale, rape and corn straw were used. The determination of the morphological features of the fibers was conducted on the macerated material. Fiber lengths, fiber diameters and lumens were measured, and then the fiber wall thicknesses and slenderness ratios were calculated. The result clearly showed significant differences among all fiber characteristics of the tested plants. The strength and direction of the relationship between the anatomical properties determined in the study and the physicomechanical properties of the boards produced with straw from the tested annual plants were identified.

The effect of carbonization on the wood anatomy of Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel

Considering the extraordinary diversity of the Brazilian Cerrado and the difficulties related to the inspection of environmental crimes, knowing the wood and charcoal anatomy of widely exploited species is important. Thus, this study aimed to verify the anatomical characteristics of the wood and charcoal of Sclerolobium paniculatum. Therefore, anatomical characterizations of the wood and the charcoal produced were performed in order to compare the characteristics of both materials and observe any possible changes in the anatomical properties after carbonization. The results exposed that the qualitative anatomical characteristics of S. paniculatum wood can be maintained after the carbonization process. However, quantitatively, the carbonization increased the vessel frequency value and height and width of rays, despite reducing the frequency of rays. The diameter of the vessels was not altered by carbonization. This characterization of the species can then serve as a database for future identification of charcoal produced with this wood. In addition, it can encourage increasing the quality of inspection and consequently reducing the illegal exploitation of the species in natural environments.

Anatomical properties of Hibiscus macrophyllus and its mature wood development

The Hibiscus macrophyllus tree is widely planted in Indonesia especially on Java Island. It has several advantages to be developed commercially as a community or plantation forest compared to the famous introduced species Falcataria moluccana and Anthocephalus spp., including faster growth, higher wood density, and better stem morphology (straighter, more rounded, and lesser branches). However, information about the basic properties of this wood grown in plantations is limited. This study aimed to investigate the anatomical properties of H. macrophyllus and their variation at three ages (8, 12 and 16 years old), as well as to predict the mature wood development by using radial variation in fiber length, microfibril angle (MFA), and wood density from pith toward the bark as the indicators. The wood samples were obtained from a community forest area at Ciamis Regency, West Java Province. Furthermore, anatomical characteristics were examined through wood slides following the IAWA List, while fibre and vessel element dimensions were measured through macerated specimens prepared by modified Franklin’s method. The MFA was determined by X-Ray Diffraction, while wood density was measured in line with British Standard 373-57. The results showed that the anatomical structures were not influenced by tree age, except for wood porosity, and fibre and vessel element dimensions. The 16-year-old tree tended to be semi-ring-porous, the younger trees were diffuse-porous, while the fiber and vessel element length, as well as the diameter, were decreased. Meanwhile, the wall thickness was increased. The fibre length, MFA, and wood density were useful indicators for wood maturity that seemed to be developed at about 11 years of age.

Radial variability of fibrovascular bundle properties of salacca (Salacca zalacca) fronds cultivated on Turi Agrotourism in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Hakim L, Widyorini R, Nugroho WD, Prayitno TA. 2021. Radial variability of fibrovascular bundle properties of salacca (Salacca zalacca) fronds cultivated on Turi Agrotourism in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3594-3603. Fibrovascular bundles have properties variability not only based on species and varieties but also parts of species. This study, therefore, aims to characterize the FVB fundamental properties (anatomical, chemical, physical and mechanical) of Salacca zalacca (Gaertn.) Voss fronds, based on radial direction. The salacca fronds were divided into three parts, outer, middle as well as inner positions. Then the FVB's anatomical and physical properties were observed by light microscope and gravimetry analysis, respectively. Meanwhile, the variability of chemical and mechanical properties was investigated based on the ASTM standard. According to the results, the outer position has a higher variability of diameter, density, cellulose, lignin, and mechanical properties than the inner position, but has a lower hemicellulose value than the middle and inner position. Furthermore, the relationships between the anatomical, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties were discovered to form a pattern where increasing the mechanical properties is influenced by density and ratio vascular tissue area to total transverse area. Based on the results, the fibrovascular bundle of S. zalacca frond was concluded to possess anatomical, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties variability on the radial direction. There was a correlation between anatomical properties and mechanical properties.

SOME WOOD PROPERTIES OF MELIAa AZEDARACH L. TREES GROWN IN DUHOK PROVINCE

Melia azedarach L. was introduced into Kurdistan region and planted as an ornamental tree at the nurseries, parks and streets. This study investigated the quality of wood of 9 year old M. azedarach trees grown in Duhok province. Samples of wood from five trees were taken at breast height diameter; and their wood quality was studied in terms of morphological, physical and anatomical properties. Results revealed that the values of morphological properties were: the Heartwood percentage (69.01%), Sapwood percentage (12.93%), Bark percentage (8.06%) and Annual Ring Width (7.74mm). While, the values of the physical properties were: specific gravity (0.42), basic density of wood (0.36g/cm3), annual ring growth width (7.74cm), moisture content (44.46%), maximum moisture content (208.36%), volumetric shrinkage (13.18%), volumetric swelling (16.25%), fiber saturation point (36.34%), cell wall (28.05%) and porosity (71.94%). The values of anatomical properties were: fiber length (0.792 mm), fiber diameter at the mid- point of the fiber (17.75 μm), fiber double cell wall thickness (9.67 μm), fiber lumen width (8.07μm), runkel ratio (1.55), flexibility ratio (47.17), slenderness ratio (47.58), vessel length (241.57μm), vessel diameter at the mid- point of the vessel (169.09μm), and vessel lumen diameter (158.26μm). All properties showed a significant variation from pith to bark and between the trees. The results equip a basis for determining management planning opportune to production wood of M. azedarach plantation trees in Kurdistan region. Also M. azedarach is characterized by low strength resistance and perhaps low pulping production too, therefore according to its low wood quality for some properties, is not recommended for structural purposes. While anatomical properties, showed medium values of fiber dimensions which could be used for production of special type of paper

SOME OF PHENOTYPIC, PHYSICAL AND ANATOMICAL WOOD PROPERTIES OF VALONIA OAK TREES IN KURDISTAN-IRAQ

This study was aimed to investigate the morphologic, macroscopic, and microscopic description with the paper pulp quality index was determined to facilitate its increased use and to analyze the variation of wood properties. Among different morphological characteristics Q. aegilops registered mean height (13.63 m) and diameter (26.04 cm), while bark thickness represented from 7.2 to 15.6mm. Average bark and wood percent was noticed (8.22%) and (91.78%) of the total volume, with annual ring growth width (3.17mm) that considered a slow-growing species. The highest heartwood proportion of stem volume was 75.32% and the lowest 42.01% with a mean of 61.46%. The sapwood proportion ranged between 23.68 and 57.99% with a mean of 38.54%. While the values of anatomical properties were: The mean values of fiber length, fiber diameter, double cell wall thickness, and fiber lumen width were 1.01mm, 15.54µm, 6.288µm, and 9.25µm respectively. Moreover, the mean values of vessel length and vessel diameters were 0.54mm and 179.80µm respectively. Significant differences were found in the pulpwood quality indices for the paper samples, the means value of the runkel index was 0.86, while, slenderness index was 68.84, the coefficient of flexibility was 0.57, and the average value of the stiffness coefficient was 0.421. The fibers length more than1mm and cell well is thick accordingly are classified as good for paper. Based on its morphological and physical properties, Q. aegilops wood can be used in various wood manufactures. Based on the anatomical properties and pulp quality indices, this wood could be used to obtain cellulose pulp for paper production.

Growth, yield, nutrients uptake and anatomical properties of direct seeding and transplanting maize (Zea mays L.) plants under arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and water stress

The management of cultivation technology and fertilizer application may adjust adverse effects of abiotic stresses such as water deficit on agricultural products. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and anatomical properties of maize under three water regimes (well-watered, moderate stress and severe stress as 25%, 50% and 75% soil moisture depletion), two cultivations methods (direct seeding and transplanting), and two Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) levels (inoculated with Glomus mosae and uninoculated). The results showed that in plants under moderate water stress, the AMF inoculation percent was significantly higher than those under well-watered and sever stress condition. Inoculation percent in direct seeding was lower than transplanting. Transplanting plants had higher biological and kernel yield compared to direct seeding plants. Water stress reduced the total chlorophyll (Chl) content. Transplanting had greater Chl content in comparison with direct seeding. In all irrigation regimes, transplanting significantly increased N content. In direct seeding, the highest P content was observed in moderate stress and uninoculated plants. Stomatal density increased under water stress, but stomatal size decreased. Plants under severe water stress showed increased stomatal density compared with well waterbed conditions. In addition, severe water stress enhanced the UCT compared to well-watered condition. This study suggests the use of transplanting with AMF application to cope with the adverse effects of severe water stress on maize.

Influence of Decay Fungi on Selected Anatomical Properties of Aningeria Robusta A. Chev. Wood

Due to population explosion, the forest of Nigeria like most tropical forest is over exploited for choice traditional species. Therefore, need to investigate species that can substitute the species arise. Five trees of Aningeria robusta were harvested from Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. Bolts of 50cm length were obtained at the base, middle and the top; radial strips also obtained for innerwood, middlewood and outerwood. Ten test specimens of dimension 12mm x 15mm x 25mm were obtained per zone. N-hexane heartwood extracts of a 30 year old Gliricidia sepium diluted with kerosene using volume by volume method into 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% was used. Quantitative characterizations of fungi inoculated and uninoculated wood blocks were determined. The wood blocks were immersed in the extract for 48 hours prior subjection to Lentinus sajor-caju and Trichoderma viride for sixteen. Samples were laid in split plot and factorial experimental designs for the uninoculated and inoculated respectively. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Mean proportion of vessel, fibre and ray before inoculation are 16.89%, 59.08% and 23.74% respectively. Sources of variance had significant effect on the properties at 5% probability level. There was a general reduction in all the anatomical properties after inoculation with the fungi strains. The fungi used, concentration levels adopted, sampling heights involved and radial position had significant effect on the anatomical properties after inoculation with the fungi. Conclusively, the bio-preservative could not prevent fungal growth on the anatomical properties; it could only reduce it.