Wood utilization prospects of Neolamarckia cadamba based on age and axial dependent fibre morphology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ija.2026.28.01.14Keywords:
Neolamarckia cadamba, Age, Axial Variation, Fibre morphology, StrengthAbstract
The present study investigates the anatomical characteristics of Neolamarckia cadamba wood with emphasis on age-wise and axial variations in fibre morphology. Wood samples were collected from trees of five different ages (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years) and analyzed for fibre length, fibre diameter, lumen width and cell wall thickness using standard microscopic techniques. The results revealed significant variation in fibre morphology with age. Fibre length increased from 1509.00 µm at 2 years to 1854.16 µm at 10 years, indicating improved fibre development with maturity. Fibre diameter also showed a gradual increase, whereas lumen width increased up to 6 years and declined thereafter. In contrast, cell wall thickness increased substantially at older ages, suggesting enhanced fibre strength. Axial variation within the tree indicated that fibre length decreased significantly from base to top, while fibre diameter, lumen width and wall thickness showed non-significant variation along the stem. The findings highlight that age has a stronger influence than axial position on fibre characteristics. Neolamarckia cadamba exhibits favorable fibre properties, particularly at intermediate ages, making it a promising species for pulp, paper and other wood-based industries
Downloads
References
Darmawan, W., Nandika, D., Rahayu, I., Fournier, M., & Marchal, R. (2013). Determination of juvenile and mature transition ring for fast-growing sengon and jabon wood. Journal of the Indian Academy of Wood Science, 10(1), 39–47.
Ekhuemelo, D. O., & Udo, A. M. (2016). Investigation of variations in the fibre characteristics of Moringa oleifera Lam. stem for pulp and paper production. International Journal of Science and Technology, 5(1), 19–25.
Ghosh, R. C. (1977). Handbook of afforestation techniques. Controller of Publications.
Grzeskowiak, V., Turner, P., & Megown, R. A. (2000, October). The use of densitometry and image analysis techniques to predict pulp strength properties in Eucalyptus plantations. In Proceedings of the TAPPSA Conference: African Paper Week (pp. 1–18).
Idu, M., & Ijomah, J. U. (1996). Wood anatomy of some savanna Fabaceae species: III. Dimensional variation in fibre and vessel elements of Afzelia africana Sm.
Ismail, J., Jusoh, M. Z., & Sahri, M. H. (1995). Anatomical variation in planted kelempayan (Neolamarckia cadamba, Rubiaceae). IAWA Journal, 16(3), 227–287.
Johansson, A. (2011). Correlations between fibre properties and paper properties.
Leal, S., Sousa, V. B., & Pereira, H. (2006). Within- and between-tree variation in the biometry of wood rays and fibres in cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Wood Science and Technology, 40(7), 585–597.
Moya Roque, R., Tomazello Filho, M., & Canessa Amador, E. (2007). Fiber morphology in fast-growth Gmelina arborea plantations. Madera y Bosques, 13(2), 3–13.
Nordahlia, A. S., Anwar, U. M. K., Hamdan, H., Zaidon, A., & Omar, M. M. (2014). Mechanical properties of 10-year-old sentang (Azadirachta excelsa) grown from vegetative propagation. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 26, 240–248.
Ogunleye, B. M., Fuwape, J. A., Oluyege, A. O., Ajayi, B., & Fabiyi, J. S. (2017). Evaluation of fiber characteristics of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill., Pierre ex Pax) for pulp and paper making. International Journal of Science and Technology, 6(1), 634–641.
Saravanan, V., Parthiban, K. T., Sekar, I., Kumar, P., & Vennila, S. (2013). Radial variations in anatomical properties of Melia dubia Cav. at five different ages. Scientific Research and Essays, 8(45), 2208–2217.
Soerianegara, I., & Lemmens, R. H. M. J. (1993). Plant resources of South-East Asia No. 5(1): Timber trees: Major commercial timbers. Pudoc Scientific Publishers.
Uniyal, S. (2012). Variation in wood anatomical properties and specific gravity in Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (Doctoral dissertation). Forest Research Institute University.
Wahyudi, I., Priadi, T., & Rahayu, I. S. (2014). Karakteristik dan sifat-sifat dasar kayu jati unggul umur 4 dan 5 tahun asal Jawa Barat [Characteristics and basic properties of 4- and 5-year-old superior teakwoods from West Java]. Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian Indonesia, 19(1), 50–56.
