Tissue Proportion, Fibre, and Vessel Characteristics of Young Eucalyptus Hybrid Grown as Exotic Hardwood for Wood Utilization
Tissue Proportion, Fibre, and Vessel Characteristics of Young Eucalyptus Hybrid Grown as Exotic Hardwood for Wood Utilization
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021
Authors
Appiah -Kubi,Emmanuel
Govina Kudjo,James
Mensah Walker, Roland
Amuzu, Ruth
Nemeth,Robert
Seidu, Haruna
Owusu Wilson, Francis
Ebanyenle, Emmanuel
Korang, James
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Acta Silv. Lign. Hung., Vol. 17, Nr. 2 (2021) 121–133
Abstract
This study sought to determine selected anatomical properties of young Eucalyptus hybrid
species (E. grandis x E. urophylla) grown in Ghana. Images of fibres from macerated wood, and
micro–sections produced with microtome were analysed using a compound digital microscope
associated with Motic Image Plus Software (MIPS), version 2.0, installed on a computer. Images were
initially processed using ImageJ software. Study data were analysed using an R statistical package.
The overall mean value for fibre length was 907.67 µm, whereas double fibre wall thickness was 7.76
µm. Both variables had higher mean values in sapwood than in heartwood. Nevertheless, the found
values decreased from the butt to the top portion. Statistically, axial and radial positions had no
influence on fibre characteristics. In a 1 mm2 of the cross-section, the proportion of fibres was 38%,
vessels were 19%, axial parenchyma were 22%, and radial parenchyma were 21% on average. Again,
the radial and axial positions had no statistical influence on tissue proportion traits for the young
eucalyptus wood. Mean value for vessel area was 9462.04 µm2
, whereas vessel frequency per mm2
was about 14. Vessels were significantly larger in area (range 9982.50 – 13544.41 µm2
), yet reduced
in frequency (range 6 – 17 per mm2
) for sapwood. In heartwood, vessel area was comparatively
smaller (range 6321.15 – 7816.69 µm2
), whereas their frequency was high (range 15 – 18 vessels per
mm2
). Axial and radial position had statistical influence on vessel frequency and area for the young
Eucalyptus grown in a plantation in Ghana.
Description
Keywords
Citation
a CSIR– Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Kumasi, Ghana b Department of Construction and Wood Technology, University of Education, Kumasi, Ghana c Institute of Wood Technology and Technical Sciences, Faculty of Wood Engineering and Creative Industries, University of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary