Characterization of mean stem density, fibre length and lignin from two Acacia species and their hybrid

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the wood properties related to wood pulp quality of two widely planted Acacia species viz. Acacia mangium Willd. and Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth. and their hybrid. Acid insoluble lignin content (Klason), mean stem density and fibre length differed considerably among the species and hybrids. A. mangium possessed a high percent of lignin content compared to A. auriculiformis and the Acacia hybrid. However, mean stem density of A. auriculiformis was higher than A. mangium and the hybrid. Fibre length of heartwood tissues was generally shorter than that of sapwood tissues. The hybrid had longer fibres than the parent species. Lignin was negatively correlated with mean stem density. Generally, the wood properties of the hybrid were superior to its parent species. The significant intraspecific variation observed for wood properties of Acacia species could be used in breeding superior hybrids combining desirable traits of the two species. Considering the difficulty involved in accurately measuring the lignin content compared to mean stem density, selection for plants with low lignin content can be achieved by indirect selection of high mean stem density.