Comparative Wood Anatomy of Stem and Root in Korean-grown Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipipfera L.)

Abstract

This study was carried out to offer basic information on the wood anatomy of domestic yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), a new plantation species selected by Korea Forest Service as one of the promising hardwood and bioenergy sources of the future, through comparison of stem wood with root wood in the qualitative and quantitative features. In the qualitative anatomical features, growth rings were distinct in stem wood but relatively less distinct in root wood. And stem wood appeared to have pores in radial multiples of 2 to 5, sometimes clusters but root wood to have pores in radial multiples of 2 to 3, rarely clusters. And numbers of bars in scalariform perforation plates were somewhat numerous in vessel elements of root wood than in those of stem wood. Interestingly, on the other hand, more extraneous materials in the wood rays of tap root than in those of lateral root and stem were confirmed in the chemical composition analyses. In the quantitative anatomical features, pore densities were significantly greater but vessel elements were considerably narrower in stem wood than in root wood. Vessel elements and wood fibers of root wood were considerably longer than those of stem wood. Rays were somewhat more numerous in stem wood than in root wood, and only ray heights of stem wood were more or less greater in cell numbers but both ray heights and widths of stem wood were lower in dimension than those of root wood. The anatomical differences between stem wood and root wood were thought to be associated with different growth environments between the stem above ground and the root below ground.