Chemical Properties and Fiber Dimension of Eucalyptus pellita from The 2nd Generation of Progeny Tests in Pelaihari, South Borneo, Indonesia

Abstract

Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell is one of pulp woods that is being developed through breeding plantation programs in Indonesia. The research aimed at exploring the chemical and morphological characteristics of fiber, and to determine the rank of plus trees from 4 provenances based on the suitability for pulps. The materials included the plus trees of E. pellita (9 years) from the 2nd generation of progeny tests in Pelaihari, South Borneo. Wood properties under investigation included the chemical properties and morphological fiber characteristics (fiber dimensions and its derived properties). In the present study, data were analyzed using descriptive statistic, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Pearson`s correlation. Results showed that the chemical properties of E. pellita, i.e. the contents of ethanol-toluene extractives, hot water soluble extractives, holocellulose, alphacelullose, and lignin were , , , , and , respectively. The average values of wood fiber morphology were mm (fiber length), (fiber diameter), of (lumen diameter), (fiber wall thickness), (Runkel ratio), (Luce`s shape factor), (slenderness ratio) and (solids factor). The AHP scoring rank indicated that the best individuals were 28.4.3.28 (Kiriwo Utara), 12.1.5.28 (North Kiriwo), 19.11.5.45 (Serisa Village), 3.8.4.9 (South Kiriwo), and 6.6.3.15 (South Kiriwo). Pearson correlation analysis showed significant correlations between the levels of fiber length with alpha-cellulose content (r