By: Adeniyi I. M.; Ajayi B. .; Omole A. O.;
Abstract:
Distribution, arrangement and sizes of wood cells are fundamentally designed to meet the needs of the living tree. Peculiarity of wood cells allocation as it affects wood properties and wood utilization among some Nigeria trees is rare and therefore was investigated in this study. Mature trees namely Cedrela odorata, Khaya senegalensis, Entandrophragma cylindricum and Entandrophragma angolense from Meliaceae family were studied for their stem and root cells at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Ibadan. Stem wood (at breast height of 1.35 m) and root wood cores (at a radius of about 100cm to the trunk) were collected using an increment borer of diameter 12mm and length 28cm. Sectioning and maceration of sample materials were performed following of ASTM D 1030-95 and ASTM D 5235-18 procedure. Microscopic features were investigated and measured using a Zeis light microscope (Standard 25) at × 80. Results showed that vessel diameter was less than 200 µm in all the wood species, fibre and ray areas values (0.14 ±0.02 mm2 and 0.25 ±0.05 mm2 respectively) were highest in E. cylindricum. Based on the values of vessel, fibre and ray parameters, mechanical and storage functions appeared to be traded for hydraulic function in the stem region of E. angolense and E. cylindricum. Storage function was pronounced in the stem region of C. odorata at the expense of conduction and mechanical functions. This study showed that strength and storage functions were pronounced in the root region in most of the wood species investigated.
Keywords: Fibres; Meliaceae; Rays; Root, Stem; Vessels
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