Paraserianthes Falcataria Research Articles

PERAN TEGAKAN SENGON DI HUTAN TANAMAN INDUSTRI DALAM MITIGASI PERUBAHAN IKLIM GLOBAL (The Role of Sengon’s Stand at Forest Plantation in Global Climate Change Mitigation)

This research aims to estimate the biomass, carbon storage, carbon dioxide uptake and oxygen produced by sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen) stand aged 9, 11 and 13 years in IUPHHK-HTI PT Parwata Rimba, Central Kalimantan. Estimated of biomass, carbon stock, CO2 uptake and Oxygen produced using allometric equations. The results showed that the storage of sengon standing biomass aged 9,11 and 13 years ranged from 110.71 to 200.94 tons/ha, carbon stock ranged from 52.03 to 94.44 tons C/ha, CO2 uptake ranged from 190.79 to 259.13 tons CO2/ha and Oxygen produced around 138.75 to 251.84 tons O2/ha. The total of biomass, carbon stock, CO2 uptake and Oxygenproduced by sengon stands at forest plantations are large enough to have an important role in global climate change mitigation in the forestry sector.

DISTRIBUSI DIAMETER TANAMAN SENGON (Paraserianthes falcataria) SEBAGAI INDIKATOR PERTUMBUHAN NORMAL

Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L) Nielsen) is one of some exotic plants, so that it issuitable for planting on mounds of peat-swamp land in support of revegetation andreforestation, and also to develop plantation forest. This plant have the short rotation,high economic and ecologically value. The aims of research was to know the diameterdistribution of sengon to detect normal growth as well as they were planted on themounds of peat-swamp land and on the traditionaly peat swamp land that floodingperiodically. Data were analized using polynomial equations to form the distributiongraphs. Based on result, at the 4.5 years old of sengon planted on the the mounds ofpeat-swamp land and on the traditionaly peat swamp land indicated the normal graph andabnormal graph respectively. Sengon that planted on the mounds of peat swamp landformed the polynomial equation Y= -35,4 + 47,043X – 6,7857 X2 with coefficient ofdetermination (R2) namely 90.41%, meanwhile Sengon that planted on the traditionalypeat swamp land formed the polynomial equation Y= -10 + 53,643X – 17,571 X2+ 1,5X3 with coefficient of determination (R2) namely (R2) namely 85.99%. Therefore,sengon that planted on the mounds of peat swamp land growth better than sengon thatplanted on the traditionaly of peat swamp landKeywords: Growth, polynomial, sengon, peat swamp land

Competition in a Mixed-Species Planting with Four Contrasting Tree Species

Mixed-species systems are well-suited to smallholder and community forestry, but reliable evidence regarding and procedures to assess species performance in such systems is scarce. This field trial uses a pair of clinal plots with varying spacing and species composition to gain insights into competition between four species proposed for landscape rehabilitation in the Philippines. We examine the efficiency of this compact clinal trial in revealing growth traits of four species (Paraserianthes falcataria, Pterocarpus indicus, Shorea palosapis, Swietenia macrophylla) in mixed plantings. The use of a size-distance competition index allowed an assessment of the competitive and collaborative influences between four tree species. Within the expected general trend for diameter increment to decline with increasing competition, there were indications that Shorea palosapis is a benign competitor that may stimulate the growth of neighbouring individuals. Paraserianthes falcataria is a strong competitor that is also strongly impacted by competition, especially through antagonistic intraspecific competition. Paraserianthes falcataria appears well suited as a solitary tree in a field or village, whereas Shorea palosapis seems ideal for plantations, in both monoculture and mixed plantings. The clinal spacing and mixture trial, when examined using a size-distance competition index based on diameter increment, revealed useful insights into species performance. Pterocarpus indicus exhibits strong intraspecific, but low inter-specific competition, so appears well-suited for polyculture plantings. Of the four species trialled, Swietenia macrophylla appears to be best-suited as a monoculture species as it exhibits the lowest intraspecific competition.

Identifikasi dan Kekerabatan Rhizobia Pohon Mangium dan Sengon Berdasarkan nodD1 dan nifH

Rhizobia from legumes Acacia mangium (Mangium) and Paraserianthes falcataria (Sengon) have often been isolated and studied for their applications to plants, but studies on the nod and nif genes are still lacking. Even though this plant were often used as a source of paper raw materials and reforestation plants. The aim of this study was to define the genetic relationship of a group of potential strains isolated from tropical legume trees in terms of 16S rRNA, nodD1, and nifH genes. This research method includes the selection of isolates based on the main character of Rhizobiales, to isolate the 16S rRNA, nodD1, and nifH genes from the selected isolates, and to construct a phylogeny tree based on the isolated genes. Two rhizobia were selected based on a selection test, namely DCM 212 from A. mangium and DF13 from P. falcataria. DCM 212 isolate was identified as having the closest similarity to Rhizobium multihospitium CC-13H. The isolate of DF13 had high similarity with Bradyrhizobium elkanii based on 16S rRNA, nodD1, and nifH. The degenerative primer pairs used in this study could not detect nodD1 gene from DCM 212 isolate.
 
 Keywords: Bradyrhizobium, phylogeny, rhizobium

Cross-Laminated Timber and Glulam from Low-Density Paraserianthes falcataria: A Look into Densification and Shear Strength

The aim of this study was to investigate the shear performance of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam made from densified Paraserianthes falcataria laminas. The densification process involved pre-treatment, compression with heat (105 °C, 6 MPa), and a cooling phase. CLT was manufactured from densified laminas of different thicknesses (24–60 mm), while glulam was produced from densified laminas that underwent pre-treatments of (1) pre-steaming (0–30 min) and (2) alkaline pre-treatment (sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations: 0%–9%). Both CLT and glulam were cut into a pre-determined size before being subjected to a block shear test. The findings showed that the presence of pre-steaming (20 min) exhibited the highest shearing strength value. In contrast, alkaline pre-treatment reduced the shear performance of glulam. Here, 24 mm and 30 mm CLT were found to have the highest shearing strength among the parameters. Pre-steamed laminas showed better wettability, but no statistically significant correlation between the contact angle and shear strength of glulam. The densification process reduced the fiber pore areas of the laminas. The fiber pore areas with a shear strength of glulam, with or without alkaline pre-treatment, revealed a weak correlation. The correlation between fiber pore areas and the shear strength of CLT show no statistical significance. Here, 30 mm CLT with lowest moisture content and highest wood failure percentage exhibited a better bonding performance.

Evaluation of Young Falcata Plus-Trees for Veneer and Plywood Production in the Philippines

Young (3-, 5-, and 7-yr-old) falcata [Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J W. Grimes] trees were evaluated for their suitability to be processed into veneer and plywood. Three sample trees per age level were harvested from industrial tree plantations in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. A straight portion of each tree from the bottom up to 4.5 m long was cut and divided into three billets at 1.5 m each. These were assigned to be peeled into 0.85-, 2.20-, and 2.80-mm veneer thicknesses. Veneering was done in a spindleless lathe using established lathe settings for falcata billets. Veneer quality per thickness and age level was evaluated based on the frequency and depth of lathe checks (LC). Results showed that LC occurred more frequently in the 2.20-mm-thick veneer, but these were shallower than the 2.80- mm, which had less frequent but deeper LC. On the other hand, age was found to significantly affect the formation of deeper LC in the 3-year-old 0.85-mm thick veneer; thus, it should only be used as a core veneer. The bond strength quality test showed that, regardless of age, falcata plywood passed the glue bond requirement of PNS ISO 12466-2:2016.

POTENSI VEGETASI PADA EMBUNG DI DESA BANFANU KABUPATEN TIMOR TEGAH UTARA SEBAGAI PENDUKUNG KETERSEDIAAN DAN KONSERVASI AIR

Nowdays, the necesity of the water go up on every sectors, so that it caused the water go down because of the management is not good enough. The purpose of this study is to know the kinds of the vegetation that found in the haze, that can be benefit to suport the water availibility and conservation, to know the potency of the vegetacy as the water availibility and conservation an also to know the society role to support it. This study is started from December 2020 until March 2021 placed in haze Banfanu village, North Central Timor regency. This study is used the qualitative and quantitave method. To collect the data and analysing the writer used an interview, observation and documentation. The determination estimasy data analysing is used point center quarter method (PCQM) to count point index value (PIV), the variety index shanon winner and averrage index. This study is made on twelve simpling with the vegetation data that is pick out from the tree, pilar and seedling. The result of this study is indicated that there are 28 species in the haze at the Banfanu village that consist of 16 families from 404 individu is devided in seedling, pilar and tree. The vegetation that could be benefit the water availibility and concervation is Switenia mahagoni, Casuarina junghuniana, Syzygum aqueum, Bambusa vulgaris, Ficus benjamina, Pandanus dubius Spreng, Paraserianthes falcataria (L) Nielsen, Anacardium occidentae L, Psidium Guajava L, Timonius sericeus (Deft) K. Schum, Syzygium cimunu L. The vegetation that indicate to keep up the water avalibility concervation is Bambusa vulgaris, the vicus kind is switenia mahogani, and iti is supported by the data analysis is higher index point value to tree strata is tectona grandis with IPV 74.50% and the lower IPV is Musa paradisiaca with IPV 1.80%. The higher point value for the pilar is Gliricidia sepium with IPV 92.13% and the lower is Vachellia leucophloea with IPV 2.99%, the high IPV for seedling is Tectona grandis with IPV 46.80% and the lower is switenia mahogani L and Sesbiana grandiflora with IPV 0.90%. The variety index value Shanon Winner and the averrage index categorize is lower. The vegetacy kind in the haze of Banfanu village categorize lower variety vegetacy, bad productivities, the condition is not rateable and lower pressure, but the ratebale index happend because of the domination on the kind certain species and in generally the kind of plant that growth up is limited. In other hand, the knowledge of the society is not enough to keep the water availibility and concervation and also the vegetacy is a polemic to the society.

Mechanical performance and failure characteristics of cross laminated timber (CLT) manufactured from tropical hardwoods species

Abstract The study on the mechanical properties of cross laminated timber (CLT) panels made from tropical hardwood species is essential in order to promote the use of CLT as buildings material in Malaysia. The objective of this study were to evaluate the mechanical performance and failure characteristics of CLT fabricated from tropical timbers species, namely, batai (Paraserianthes falcataria), sesendok (Endospermum malacensis), rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) and kedondong (family Burceraceae). The modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and compressive strength were determined. The failure characteristics of each samples were visually examined and recorded. The results indicated that CLT made from kedondong (KKK) had the highest value of MOR (82.63 N/mm2) and MOE (11,371.33 N/mm2) compared to other species. For compressive strength, CLT made from kedondong (KKK) and rubberwood (RRR) were not significantly different. The failure characteristics observed from bending test were tension, rolling shear and glue line failure while the crushing, shearing and splitting failure were found during compression test. Based on the results obtained, it showed that, the tropical hardwood is suitable to be used as raw material to produce CLT. However, more study should be conducted to observe the performance of CLT on durability and outdoor weathering.

PERKEMBANGAN SUKSESI VEGETASI DI AREA REVEGETASI LAHAN PASCATAMBANG BATUBARA (STUDI KASUS DI PT AMANAH ANUGERAH ADI MULIA KABUPATEN TANAH LAUT)

The purpose of the study was to analyze the development of vegetation succession in the post-coal mining revegetation area of PT Amanah Anugerah Adi Mulia. The method used to collect data in the revegetation area is the Nested Sampling. The data collected in the form of individuals number, types of vegetation, and diameters of poles and trees. Data were analyzed by tabulating matrix and Indeks Nilai Penting (INP). There are 8 main types of revegetation plants, 16 types of natural growth and 40 types of undergrowth plants. There is a trend of increasing the number of plants that grow naturally at the level of seedlings, saplings, poles and trees in the revegetation area. Revegetation plants aged 7 years had the highest number of species. The dominant species at 1 year revegetation age for seedlings was sengon buto (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) with INP= 86,01%, sapling was E. cyclocarpum with INP= 106,15%. The dominant species at 3 years of revegetation age for seedlings was calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) with INP value = 75,57 %, sapling was sengon laut (Paraserianthes falcataria) with INP = 56,73%, pole level was P. falcataria species with INP = 162,85%. The dominant species at 5 years of revegetation age for seedlings was sisir liar (Cudrania cochinchinensis) with INP value = 108,38 %, sapling was C. cochinchinensis with INP = 103,59 %, pole level was mangium (Acacia mangium) with INP = 229,58 %, the tree level is mangium with INP = 211,74%. The dominant species at 7 years of revegetation age for seedlings was mahang (Macaranga gigantea) with INP value = 53,32%, sapling was M. gigantea with INP = 44,31 %, pole level was A. mangium with INP = 98,29 % , the tree level is P. falcataria with INP = 163,15%. Revegetation can facilitate the succession process in post-mining land.

HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FLORES EAGLE (Nisaetus floris) IN THE OTOSESO TRADITIONAL FOREST AREA, WOLOJITA DISTRICT, ENDE REGENCY, EAST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE.

This study was conducted to determine the Habitat Characteristics of the Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus Floris) in the Otoseso Indigenous Forest Area, Wolojita Sub-District, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This research was conducted from March to April 2021. The analysis of the habitat of the Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus floris) used a vegetation analysis approach, the level of habitat use and observations of nesting characteristics. The behavior of the Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus floris) was observed directly at the observation spot to describe its daily activities.
 The results showed that the trees used for nesting sites were the Jita (Alstonia scholaris), Fai (Paraserianthes falcataria) and Kemiri (Aleurites mollucana) tree species, which are sticking trees in their habitat. The Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus floris) used canopy space A (I and II) to build nests, while for perching trees that have been identified are the banyan (Ficus benjamina), weru (Elaecarpus sphaericus), kapok (Ceiba pentandra), lamtoro gung (Leucaena leucocephala SubSp. glabrata) and Nimbah (Melia Azidarach). Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus floris) uses crown spaces A and B (I and II) for perching behavior and stalking prey. In this section of the canopy the Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus floris) usually perched on a flat tree trunk perpendicular to the main branch and is of medium size. The daily activity of the Flores Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus floris) which has the highest presentation is perching at 41%, flying (soaring and gliding) by 28%, voice by 22% and hunting by 22%.

Pertumbuhan Sengon Lokal (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen) dan Produktivitas Padi Gogo (Oryza sativa L.) Varietas Inpago LIPI Go2 dalam Sistem Agroforestri

Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen) is a fast-growing and widely cultivated species in Indonesia. In addition, sengon is a type that is easy to adapt to the environmental conditions in which it grows. Upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a type of rice that is tolerant to drought. Sengon and upland rice in agroforestry can be an alternative in more effective land use. This study aims to measure local sengon growth, determine the productivity of upland rice in Inpago LIPI Go2 variety and light intensity in the sengon 1.5 m x 1.5 m and 1.5 m x 3 m line planting in agroforestry systems. Data analysis was performed by testing variance at the level of 0.05% and if the treatment had a significant effect, it was tested further using the Tukey Test. The results of this study indicate that sengon in the 6 months after planting is not affected by pathway treatment, but line planting treatment has a significant effect on upland rice productivity results. Beside age factor of sengon, it can be several other factors such as pest and disease attacks on sengon or upland rice.
 Keywords: agroforestry, light intensity, sengon, upland rice

UTILIZATION OF GIS TECHNOLOGY FOR PRIVATE FOREST DEVELOPMENT IN KEDUANG SUB WATERSHED, WONOGIRI DISTRICT

Private forest development has a strategic objective, namely to supply logs as raw materials for the timber industry. The research was conducted in the Keduang Sub-watershed, Wonogiri District. The research objective was to determine suitable tree species and locations for Private forestdevelopment using a Geographical Information System (GIS). The parameters used were production age, soil texture, elevation, and type of production (wood, Multi-Purpose Tree Species / MPTS). Soil types in the Keduang sub-watershed are Litosol (Entisols), Latosol (Inceptisols), and Mediterranean (Ultisols). To determine suitable tree species and locations for Private forestdevelopment, an overlay (with a GIS tool) is carried out between the soil texture map, elevation map, and land cover/use map. Based on the land cover/use map, the area of land suitable for Private forest development is 4,011.95 ha consisting of scrubs (215.51 ha), fields/moor (3,639.84 ha), rainfed fields (114.68 ha), and pasture (41.92 ha). The results of the contour map analysis show that most of the study area has an altitude of <500 m asl (lowland), which is an area of 24,538.02 ha. The soil texture in the study location was dominated by loam, covering an area of 32,153.85 ha. The results of the plant suitability analysis showed that the study location was suitable for Private forestplants such as Acacia mangium, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Melia azedarach, Paraserianthes falcataria, A. scholaris, Gmelina arborea, Erythrina variegata, Duabanga moluccana, and Hibiscus macrophyllus. While MPTS plants are Aleurites moluccanus and Ceiba pentandra.

Study on the Growth of Falcataria moluccana at 14-Month-Old and the Productivity Rice Plant (Oryza sativa) IPB 3S in Agroforestry System

Agroforestry is a forestry and agriculture plant utilization system using sustainable land management to gain more products. Falcataria moluccana is a forestry plant that has been cultivated mostly in an agroforestry system by the Indonesian people, particularly on Java Island. Appropriate F. moluccana species selection and planting space in an agroforestry system are expected to improve plant growth and suppress the damage level that occurred in F. moluccana. The agroforestry system with F. moluccana and rice plant (Oryza sativa) is one of the alternative ways to support the national food needs. This study aimed to analyze the growth of various provenances of F. moluccana at the age of 14 months and analyze the productivity of IPB 3S rice in two planting spaces of F. moluccana. This study used a completely randomized two-factorial design, with the first factor being the provenance of F. moluccana, i.e., Solomon F1, Solomon F2, and local Kendal, and the F. moluccana spacing of 1.5 m x 3.0 m and 1.5 m x 1.5 m was the second factor. The F. moluccana growth parameters, rice plant growth parameters, and rice plant productivity in agroforestry systems were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). If a significant effect on each parameter at a 5% confidence level occurred, the parameters were further analyzed with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The study found that provenance had no significant effect on the growth of 14-month-old F. moluccana. The results also showed that the growth of 14-month-old Solomon F2 had a relatively higher value on the parameters of height and diameter. The highest productivity of IPB 3S rice was found in the local F. moluccana shade at a spacing of 1.5 m x 1.5 m, reaching 0.201 tons/ha. The highest rice productivity was due to the magnitude of the light intensity received by rice of 5414.30 lux.

Effect of Endophytic Fungi on the Growth of Sengon (Falcataria moluccana)

Endophytic fungi have been reported to promote plant growth and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to determine the effect of endophytic fungi application isolated from the sengon (Falcataria moluccana) seeds on the growth of sengon. The seed-borne endophytic fungi were applied when the session was three weeks old by sprinkling each suspension of endophytic fungi (103 to 106 spores/ml) on the soil around the plant roots. The experimental parameters evaluated were height, diameter, and total wet and dry weight. This study showed that endophytic fungi treatment has no significant effect on the stem diameter, total wet weight, and water content; but significantly affected the height and total dry weight. Cladophialophora sp. and Ascotricha sp. fungi increased the height growth of sengon, while Aspergillus sp. fungi increased the total dry weight against the control. Ochroconis sp. treatment was not significantly different from the control. The shoot-root ratio values range from 1.13-1.43, indicating that the seeds already have roots supporting plant growth. The Dickson quality index range from 0.65-1.03 suggested that the seedlings have good biomass distribution. Consequently, endophytic fungi have the potential to increase the growth of sengon seedlings. Keywords: endophytic fungi, Falcataria moluccana, seedling growth, sengon

Insect community in sengon (Falcataria moluccana) stands damaged by stem borers at various altitudes

Abstract. Sutrisno YA, Triyogo A, Suryanto P. 2022. Insect community in sengon (Falcataria moluccana) stands damaged by stem borers at various altitudes. Biodiversitas 23: 3234-3242. A healthy ecosystem is characterized by a balanced interaction between its constituent components. Meanwhile, sengon or Falcataria moluccana stands are one of the ecosystems currently experiencing damage due to stem borer pests. The dominance of pests leads to an imbalance between the constituent components of the ecosystem, especially insects. Therefore, this study aims to examine the characteristics of the community and the role of each insect, as well as the pattern of relationships with the stem borer attack area. It was conducted in a 5-year-old sengon stand in the Cangkringan Sub-district, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, at altitudes of 500, 600, and 700 m above sea level (asl), while observations and insect collection were carried out from March to August 2018 using pitfall and sticky traps, as well as sweeping nets. Furthermore, direct identification, specimens, and references were used to determine the insects to the morphospecies level, while the diversity (H'), evenness (E), and similarity (S) indexes were calculated to describe the community. The two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to determine the effect of altitude and observation month on insects at the family level, while a correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between insect diversity and the stem borer attack area. The results showed that the insect community in the sengon stands consisted of 14 orders, 49 families, with 104 morphospecies. The most abundant was Family Formicidae (Hymenoptera) and the classification was based on the respective roles obtained in five groups, namely herbivores, predators, pollinators, parasitoids, and decomposers. The observation month, altitude, and interaction have different effects on insects at the family level, which includes Eucharitidae, Tephritidae, and Cicadellidae. Moreover, the abundance of Eucharitidae parasitoids decreased with an increase in altitude, while the herbivores with the highest abundance were Tephritidae at an altitude of 500, 700, and 600 m, as well as Cicadellidae at an altitude of 500, 600, and 700 m above soil level, respectively. Natural predators dominated by Formicidae (Hymenoptera) showed a similar tendency at every altitude and observation month. Based on the results, the higher the level of insect diversity in the form of population and species, the lower the stem borer attack area. Therefore, further observations need to be carried out on the natural predator found, including specialists or generalists, to obtain the most suitable for controlling stem borers.

Identifikasi Spesies Pohon di Wilayah Kampus UNM Parang Tambung

Abstract. UNM Parang Tambung applies the concept of a comfortable and breathaking environment. Various types of trees have grown since the campus was founded, yet several were deliberately planted in open land. Plants have different categories of main benefits, one of the benefits applied here that is the presence of various types of trees and other plants in campus environment. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of trees that grow in UNM Parang Tambung. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, this research was carried out by systematically describing data about the characteristics of tree plants in UNM Parang Tambung campus area. The results showed that there were 956 individual trees consisting of 34 species belonging to 20 families. The species are Alstonia scholaris, Araucaria heterophylla, Artocarpus altilis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Averrhoa bilimbi L, Cocos nucifera, Delonix regia Raf, Dimocarpus longan Lour, Ficus benjamina L, Ficus septica Burm F, Gmelina arborea, Guazoma ulmifolia Lamk, Livistona saribus, Mangifera indica, Mimusops elengi L, Morinda citrifolia L., Moringa oleifera, Muntingia calabura L, Paraserianthes falcataria, Plumeria rubra, Polyalthia longifolia, Pterocarpus indicus Willd, Ptychosperma macarthurii, Roystone regia, Samanea saman, Senna siamea, Spatodea campanulata P.B, Switenia mahagoni, Syzygium aqueum, Syzygium cumini, Tectona grandis, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia mantaly, and Wodyetia bifurcata L.Keywords: unm campus, tree, identification, parang tambung

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CELL LUMEN AREA AND LIGNIN CONTENT OF ALKALINE-TREATED DENSIFIED TIMBER OF PARASERIANTHES FALCATARIA

In this study, low-density plantation timber, Paraserianthes falcataria was pretreated with 3%, 6% and 9% NaOH before densification process. Alkaline pretreatment leads to lignin reductions and cell wall structure becomes more porous. Densification was done by crushing the cell wall with hot-press machine, resulting in reduction of thickness to about 60%. Scanning electron microscopy images were captured and processed through ImageJ software. As to support the data, lignin content determination was conducted according to TAPPI T222 and the correlation coefficient between cell lumen areas and lignin content were studied statistically.

Morphological and bending properties of cross-laminated timber prototype manufactured with densified Paraserianthes falcataria

Densification is a modification process commonly used to modify the density and hence, properties improvement of low-density wood. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufactured from plantation tree has gained more interest recently but the potentiality of using densified fast-grown plantation wood, Batai (Paraserianthes falcataria) in the layering of CLT has yet to be discovered. This study aims to investigate the relationship between morphology of densified wood and bending performance of lab-scale prototype CLT manufactured from it. Laminas after conditioned were hot-pressed (105°C, 6 MPa for 10 minutes) for two stages with venting (press released for 1 minute 40 seconds) in between before cooling to below 100°C to reduce immediate springback. Densified laminas with three different targeted thicknesses (8, 10, and 15) mm were produced before further manufactured into three-layer CLT (24, 30, and 45) mm thick panels. CLT 60 mm thick panels from three pieces of undensified (20 mm) laminas acts as control. Results show that area of pores morphologically had reduced significantly (average 6.59 µm2) for laminas densified to 8 mm. CLT 24 show significant improvement up to 696% (Modulus of Elasticity) and 48.8% (Modulus of Rupture) when the area of pores had reduced. Morphological of densified laminas correlates negatively with bending properties of CLT.

Correlation between hardness and density profile of glue-laminated timber manufactured from viscoelastic-thermal compression modified Paraserianthes falcataria laminas

A fast-growing tree species, Paraserianthes falcataria, possessed low value in density. Therefore, it was subjected to a densification treatment, i.e., viscoelastic-thermal compression (VTC), to enhance its density and mechanical performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the density profile and hardness of VTC-modified glue-laminated timber. The laminas underwent VTC, whereby five different pre-steaming durations were applied, ranging from 0-30 minutes prior to forming into glue-laminated timber panels. The panels were cut into pre-determined test pieces and subjected to density determination using an X-ray densitometer and hardness test in the tangential direction using the ball indentation method. The correlation analysis found that increasing density slightly enhanced the hardness of the tangential surface of the glue-laminated timber test pieces, whereby the Pearson’s correlation values, r were .074 (0 minutes, non-densified), .154 (0 minutes, densified), -.027 (10 minutes, densified), .088 (20 minutes, densified), and .225 (30 minutes, densified). Nevertheless, the associations were found to be statistically insignificant because the p-values were greater than 0.05, thus suggesting densification treatment did not enhance hardness.

Density profile of alkaline-treated and densified 3-layered Paraserianthes falcataria composites

Wood densification is one of the wood modification methods that had been invented in the 1900s. However, this method was discontinued due to lack of knowledge to completely understand the process. Findings indicated that the procedure of wood densification had been remediated in recent years due to increase competition in construction materials and the needs of quality structural materials. In this study, low-density plantation timber, Paraserianthes falcataria was pretreated with alkaline before undergoing densification process. The aim of this paper was to determine the density profile of the treated and untreated densified 3-layered P. falcataria composites. Alkaline pretreatment using NaOH was done according to soda pulping method to remove partially lignin from the timber used. Wood densification was done according to hot-pressing mathematical modelled by previous researchers, to enhance the properties of timber, such as density, by compressing the timber cell wall structure to eliminate voids between walls. In this study, 3%, 6% and 9% NaOH were used with 0% NaOH as control and the results for density profile showed that densified composites treated with 6% NaOH has the highest density profile, while densified composites treated with 0% NaOH (control) has the lowest density profile.