Variation in wood anatomical properties of selected indigenous, multipurpose tree species grown in research trials at LRS Thiruvazhamkunnu, Palakkad, Kerala

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to study the variation in wood physical and anatomical properties of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. and Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. raised as part of a provenance trial of the Kerala Agricultural University at the Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, in Palakkad district of Kerala. The objectives were to study the variation in bark thickness, heart wood content, specific gravity, fibre morphology, vessel morphology, and ray morphology between above species as well as to understand the radial variation within the trees under the prevailing agro climatic conditions. Results showed higher values for heart wood content, ray height, ray width, vessel frequency; and lower bark thickness in A. hirsutus, compared to the other two species while, P. marsupium had the highest air dry and oven dry specific gravity. A. heterophyllus had superior values for vessel diameter, vessel area, fibre length and fibre diameter. The information obtained from this study indicates the potential of these hitherto under-estimated multipurpose indigenous species for various end-uses. The results also points to the pertinent need to undertake long term tree improvement trials of the above species for efficient utilization of these promising species for the state of Kerala.