Physical and anatomical properties: the case of two progenies of Melia dubia Cav

Abstract

Two progenies of Melia dubia plantation of six year old were selected for studies on physical and anatomical properties of wood. Data for each selected trees progenies selected were recorded for height, clear bole length, diameter at breast height, initial moisture content, specific gravity and sapwood proportion. Macroscopic features were observed and recorded under 10 x lenses. Slides were prepared for microscopic views of the wood in three directions viz. pith, middle and periphery. Maceration was done as per Schultze's method to prepare slides for studies on fiber and vessel morphology of the wood samples. The analysis revealed that wood of M. dubia showed distinct growth rings, the sapwood was yellowish white in colour, the heartwood was yellowish brown in colour. The mean moisture content in the living trees was recorded to be 80.3%. The specific gravities of selected progenies were 0.43 and 0.35. The difference in specific gravities between the progenies was statistically significant. Mean sapwood % in both the progenies was 39.12 %. While the mean fiber length was 716.72µm, mean fiber wall thickness was 4.15µm. Mean vessel length of the progenies was 260.5 µm. Significant variability in physical and mechanical properties of wood, indicates a need of careful tree breeding programme for the species.