Young Teak Research Articles

Eco-Efficiency Products: A Guideline for Teak Utilization Over 13-15 Years

The objective of this research was to develop a guideline for teak utilization over 13-15 years. In this case, the population comprised one thousand, one hundred, and twenty-nine participants at the academic conference and Thai natural resource exhibition, while the group sampling included a visitor group comprising ninety-four people at the exhibition and young teak product sales at the level of deviation of 10 percent. In this case, a 5-point rating scale was used as a research tool employing structured questionnaires, with a reliability value at the level of 0.7842. The results found that the participants had satisfaction in the produced model from young teak at the excellent level, (Mean=4.202; S.D.=0.649) according to the eight fields of satisfaction assessment consisting of 1) Function, 2) Durability, 3) Economics, 4)Material, 5)Ease of Use, 6)Construction, 7)Aesthetics, and 8)Production. Therefore, there were the means of each satisfaction field at the same level with a significance of .05, and the research results in the community group could be applied to use with the utilization pattern of young teak for 13-15 years by increasing economic value for teak garden cultivation in various communities.
 
 Received: 30 November 2021 / Accepted: 11 February 2022 / Published: 5 March 2022

Wood Permeability Assessment of Young Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.)

Wood properties of young teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is inferior, and then preservative treatment is one possible solution to enhance its service life. The uptake and movement of preservatives through wood cell structure is directly connected to the wood permeability. There are two simple methods to identify wood permeability: water soaking and bubble test methods. This paper assesses the young teak permeability by water soaking and bubble test methods. The assessment was conducted into five cm thick young-teak discs by soaking in the red-dye water and blowing air into the discs which had been coated with soap. Results show that the heartwood is less permeable than sapwood. Red-dye penetrates almost 100% of the sapwood area, and the red-dye did not penetrate in the heartwood. Red-dye only penetrates in the cracked heartwood through the void volume in the cracking heartwood. There is a transition zone between sapwood and heartwood, and it is refractory. Bubble test with air pressure from compressor could open the air-pathway in the heartwood and sapwood of young-teak discs taken from Bogor. The bubble test result of young-teak discs from Madiun showed air-pathway only in the sapwood, but heartwood. The air pressure is not capable of moving the vapour through the wood cell. It indicates that the heartwood of young-teak from Madiun is less permeable and less possibility for pressure treatment.

Wood Quality of Young Teak in Different Planting Spaces

Abstract Wood quality is related to the characteristics and properties of this material. Understanding the factors that can impact the wood formation is fundamental in the indications for use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different planting densities on the wood quality and the radial profile on some physical and anatomical characteristics of young trees of Tectona grandis. Nine trees were evaluated in three planting densities: 6 x 2 m; 5 x 2 m; and 4 x 2 m. All trees were subjected to analysis of acoustic tomography, X-ray densitometry, and fiber characterization. Multivariate associations between the variables of interest were evaluated according to the planting spacing and the radial profile by principal component analysis. The results indicated that the wood characteristics of young teak trees are influenced, mainly, by the radial variation (pith-bark).

COVER CROPS AS A WEED CONTROL METHOD AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE INITIAL GROWTH OF A Tectona grandis L.f. PLANTATION

Tectona grandis L.f. (teak), is one of the most used tropical species in commercial reforestation projects. Weed control is a common activity within these plantations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of cover crops in weed control and the initial growth of a young teak stand in the southern part of Costa Rica. We used a randomized complete blocks design with three replications and seven treatments: a) control (without weed control), b) chemical weed control, c) manual weed control, d) cover crop Canavalia ensiformis , e) cover crop Vigna radiata , f) mix between Vigna radiata and Pueraria phaseloides, g) cover crop Crotalaria juncea . In addition, we calculated total costs for all treatments. All species exceeded 60% ground coverage, with C. juncea and V. radiata being the best performers. Although all cover crops had higher height values than the other treatments, only C. ensiformis had a significant effect on height growth at 6 months of age. Manual weed control was the most economical treatment. Based on the results obtained, we concluded that the cover crops can be used as an alternative method of weed control without affecting the growth of the trees.

Dimensional stability and colour change of heat-treated young teak wood

ABSTRACTTeak is a famous commercial timber; however, many community forests produce low-quality teak from young trees. This research aimed to investigate the effect of heat treatment on the dimensional stability and colour of young teak wood. Wood samples were pre-dried using a fan or in an oven at 40°C. The heat treatments were conducted at three temperatures (120, 150, and 180°C) and for two durations (2 and 6 h). Water absorption, dimensional stability, and colour tests were then performed. The results showed that the density of the teak wood slightly decreased after heat treatment. However, its dimensional stability improved substantially, in accordance with its reduced water absorption. Furthermore, the surface of the young teak became darker, with a more even brown colour.

Dimensional Stability and Characteristics of Modified Young Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) Wood with PEG-1000

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wood modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-1000 at five concentrations to improve dimensional stability, drying, machining and finishing characteristics of young teak wood. A total of 12 samples for each treatment was prepared to measure an Anti Shrink Efficiency (ASE), as a parameter of dimensional stability and its drying characteristics. Six samples for each treatment were prepared to evaluate machining and finishing characteristics. PEG-1000 with five concentration levels of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% were impregnated to modify the samples, except control. Afterward, all samples were kiln dried to gain 12% moisture content. ASE was determined by comparing shrinkage percentage of treated sample with those of untreated one. Warping and surface checks were measured as drying characteristics and machining test was conducted in accordance to ASTM D1666-2004. After coating with a nitrocellulose system, surface quality were evaluated by conducting cross-cut test (ASTM D3359), coin test, delamination test (SNI 01-5008.2-1999b) and glossyness test (SNI-06-6052-1999a). Result shows that dimensional stability of impregnated samples with concentration of 30~60% was successfully improved, with ASE of 52~62%. All treated samples demonstrated good drying characteristics and defect-free areas which were more than 90% under machining test. Surface evaluation by delamination test, glossyness test, and coin test indicated that all impregnated samples were well coated by a nitrocellulose system. However, only impregnated samples in concentration of 20% and 30% showed a good result in cross-cut test. Impregnation with PEG-1000 in concentration of 30% is recommended to modify young teak wood.

COMPARISON OF PHENOLIC ACIDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF YOUNG AND MATURE LEAVES OF TECTONA GRANDIS L F

Objective: The present study aims in comparison of phenolic acids and its antioxidant potentialities of young and mature leaf extract of Tectona grandis L f.Methods: Various phenolic acids present in methanolic leaf extract of young and mature leaves of T. grandis were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The antioxidant potentiality of the extracts was determined by various analytical methods such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, and metal chelating activity.Results: Methanolic leaf extracts of young and mature leaf of T. grandis showed a pool of phenolic compounds such as gallic, vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic, chlorogenic, sinapic, p-coumarate, and cinnamic acids. Irrespective of the methods used for analyzing antioxidant capacity, young leaf extract showed potent antioxidant potentiality when compared with the mature leaf extract.Conclusion: The methanolic extract of teak leaves is rich source of many phenolic compounds, and these compounds attribute to the antioxidant capacity of the leaves. Meanwhile, by comparing the young and mature leaves, the young leaves showed much more potential than the other. It is, therefore, concluded that the young teak leaves can be used as a good source of natural antioxidant.

COMPARISON OF PHENOLIC ACIDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF YOUNG AND MATURE LEAVES OF TECTONA GRANDIS L F

Objective: The present study aims in comparison of phenolic acids and its antioxidant potentialities of young and mature leaf extract of Tectona grandis L f.Methods: Various phenolic acids present in methanolic leaf extract of young and mature leaves of T. grandis were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The antioxidant potentiality of the extracts was determined by various analytical methods such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, and metal chelating activity.Results: Methanolic leaf extracts of young and mature leaf of T. grandis showed a pool of phenolic compounds such as gallic, vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic, chlorogenic, sinapic, p-coumarate, and cinnamic acids. Irrespective of the methods used for analyzing antioxidant capacity, young leaf extract showed potent antioxidant potentiality when compared with the mature leaf extract.Conclusion: The methanolic extract of teak leaves is rich source of many phenolic compounds, and these compounds attribute to the antioxidant capacity of the leaves. Meanwhile, by comparing the young and mature leaves, the young leaves showed much more potential than the other. It is, therefore, concluded that the young teak leaves can be used as a good source of natural antioxidant.

SAPWOOD OF YOUNG TEAK FROM THINNING AS POTENTIAL MATERIAL FOR MAKING PRODUCTS Case Study: Sapwood of Young Teak from Teak Plantation in Java, Indonesia

SAPWOOD OF YOUNG TEAK FROM THINNING AS POTENTIAL MATERIAL FOR MAKING PRODUCTS Case Study: Sapwood of Young Teak from Teak Plantation in Java, Indonesia

Carbon storage and sequestration rate assessment and allometric model development in young teak plantations of tropical moist deciduous forest, India

Carbon (C) sequestration through plantations is one of the important mitigation measures for rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This study aimed to assess C stocks and their sequestration rate, and to develop allometric models for estimation of C stocking in age-series young teak (Tectona grandis) plantations (1, 5, 11, 18, 24 and 30 years) by using biomass and productivity estimation and regression, respectively. These plantations were raised in tropical moist deciduous forests of Kumaun Himalayan tarai. Total C stocks estimated for these plantations were 1.6, 15.8, 35.4, 39.0, 61.5 and 73.2 Mg ha−1, respectively. Aboveground and belowground C storage increased with increasing plantation age; however, the range of their percentage contribution showed little variation (87.8–88.2 and 11.7–12.7 %, respectively). The rate of C sequestration for these respective plantations was 1.06, 6.95, 5.46, 5.42, 3.39 and 5.37 Mg ha−1 a−1. Forty percent of the aboveground annual storage was retained in the tree while 60 % was released in the form of foliage, twigs, and fruit litter. In the case of total (tree) annual production, 43 % was retained while 57 % was released as litter including root. C stock, C sequestration rate, accumulation ratio (1.4–18.1), root:shoot C ratio (0.61–0.13) and production efficiency (0.01–0.18) were comparable to some previous reports for other species and forests. These data could be useful in deciding the harvesting age for young teak with respect to C storage and sequestration rate. Four allometric models using linear regression equations were developed between biomass (twice the C stock) and diameter, girth, and height of the tree at different ages. The diameter model was found more suitable for C stock prediction in similar areas.

Temporal patterns of storage and flux of N and P in young Teak plantations of tropical moist deciduous forest, India

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) ranks among the top five tropical hardwood species and is being promoted for use in plantations in its non-native range due to its high economic value. However, there is a general lack of data on ecosystem functioning of teak plantations. We aimed at understanding storage and flux of nutrients related to young plantations of teak. Cycling of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in a chronosequence of plantations (1, 5, 11, 18, 24 and 30 years) was studied in the Moist Deciduous Forest Region of North India with the objective of investigating the nutrient cycling pattern at younger age since the current trend of harvesting age of the species in several tropical countries is being drastically reduced for quick return from this high value crop. Standing state, nutrient uptake, nutrient return and nutrient retranslocation in these plantations were estimated by tree harvesting and chemical analysis methods. The range of total standing nutrient across all these plantations was 20.3 to 586.6 kg·ha−1 for N and 5.3 to 208.8 kg·ha−1 for P. Net uptake of N ranged from 19.4 to 88.9 kg·ha−1·a−1 and P from 3.8 to 18.1 kg·ha−1·a−1. Retranslocation of N and P among all the stands ranged from 8.7 to 48.0 kg·ha−1·a−1 and 0.01 to 3.5 kg·ha−1·a−1, respectively. Range of total nutrient return was 25.8 to 91.3 kg·ha−1·a−1 for N and 2.7 to 10.1 kg·ha−1·a−1 for P. N and P use efficiency was between 107.4 and 192.5 g dry organic matter (OM) g−1 N, and 551.9 and 841.1 g OM g−1 P, respectively. The turnover time ranged from 2.04–13.17 years for N and between 2.40–22.66 years for P. Quantity of N and P in the soil nutrient pool ranged from 2566.8 to 4426.8 kg·ha−1 and 372 to 520 kg·ha−1, respectively. Storage and flux of components in different plant parts of different aged plantations were assessed and depicted in compartment models. Percentage storage in soil, litter and vegetation ranged from 82% to 99%, 0.6% to 2.4% and 0.5% to 15% for N, respectively, and from 63% to 98%, 0.5% to 2% and 1% to 35% for P, respectively. This information could be useful in managing external nutrient manipulation to crops of different ages for optimum biomass production or carbon sequestration.

Arthropod Diversity in Lama Forest Reserve (South Benin), a Mosaic of Natural, Degraded and Plantation Forests

Arthropod assemblages were examined in Lama forest reserve, a protected area situated in the Dahomey gap, southern Benin, composed of plantations, degraded forest and remnants of natural forest. The objectives were to compare assemblages in relation to forest type and use, to elucidate the value of forest plantations for biodiversity conservation and to identify indicator species for specific forest habitats. Arthropods were collected over an 11-month period, using standardized sets of traps (pitfall, emergence, Malaise and flight intercept traps). Nine different habitats were studied, including natural and degraded forest, forest plantations (Tectona grandis and Senna siamea) of different age, and isolated forest fragments. Our analysis focused on detritivorous and xylophagous arthropods but also included ground beetles and heteropterans, totalling 393 species. We found no differences in species richness among natural and degraded forest habitats in the centre of the reserve (Noyau central). Outside of the Noyau central, species richness was highest in old teak plantations and isolated forest fragments and lowest in young teak and fuelwood plantations. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) separated three main groups: (1) natural forest, (2) degraded forest and young plantations, and (3) old plantations and isolated forest fragments. Multiple regression of DCA scores of the first two axes on environmental variables identified one natural and three disturbance-related predictors of arthropod assemblages in Lama forest: soil type (texture), canopy height, naturalness (proportion of Guineo-Congolian plant species) and understorey vegetation cover. We identified 15 indicator species for six different forest habitats. The highest numbers were found in abandoned settlements and old teak plantations. β-diversity was similar among the three DCA ordination groups (degraded forest excluded). Values for β-diversity were relatively high, suggesting that all major forest habitats contribute significantly to regional species pools and should therefore be protected. To enhance arthropod diversity, we propose that management practices in Lama forest should aim to encourage the development of species-rich understorey vegetation of the Guineo-Congolian phytogeographical region.

Leaf litter breakdown in natural and plantation forests of the Lama forest reserve in Benin

The Lama forest reserve in southern Benin, West Africa, comprises timber and fuelwood plantations as well as some of the country’s last vestiges of semi-deciduous lowland forest. The reserve is intended to protect the fauna and flora and to promote the sustainable use of tree plantations. An important aspect in its management is the preservation of soil quality, which in turn is related to key ecosystem processes such as decomposition. In the present study, we examined the breakdown of leaf litter from two indigenous species Afzelia africana ( A. africana) and Ceiba pentandra ( C. pentandra), and two exotic tree species Tectona grandis ( T. grandis) and Senna siamea ( S. siamea), using the litterbag technique (1920 litterbags altogether). We also studied the relationship between litter breakdown and the relative abundance (frequency of occurrence) of litter-dwelling invertebrates. The study was conducted over a 140-day period, focusing on four different forest types: semi-deciduous natural forest, young teak, old teak and fuelwood (mainly S. siamea) plantations. Both main factors, litter species and forest type, had a significant effect on litter breakdown. The residual litter weight was lowest in A. africana, intermediate in S. siamea and C. pentandra and highest in T. grandis. Differences were significant for all but one pairwise comparison ( A. africana versus S. siamea). With regard to forest type, the breakdown was highest in natural forest, followed by young teak, old teak and firewood plantations. Except for teak plantations (young versus old teak), all comparisons were significant. We also found a significant litter × forest interaction, indicating dissimilar changes in litter breakdown across forest types. With the exception of teak, decay rate coefficients ( k) were higher than in most tropical forests, ranging from k = 1.3 ( T. grandis in firewood plantations) to k = 4.7 ( A. africana in natural forest). The frequency of occurrence of invertebrates differed among leaf litters and forests, while there was no significant litter × forest interaction. Higher frequencies were observed in indigenous than in exotic litter. Likewise, litterbags in natural forest attracted more invertebrates than those in forest plantations. We found a significant inverse linear relationship between invertebrate frequency and residual litter weight, indicating that the breakdown of litter was strongly related to the activity of invertebrates. Our study concludes that management practices should aim to enhance decomposer communities to safeguard the productivity and sustainable use of Lama forest.

Large mammals in miombo woodland, evergreen forest and a young teak (Tectona grandis) plantation in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

Large mammals in miombo woodland, evergreen forest and a young teak (<i>Tectona grandis</i>) plantation in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

Weeding Methods in Teak Plantations

A. L. GRIFFITH, provincial sylviculturist, Madras has recently discussed an investigation into different weeding methods in the formation of teak plantations in areas with a west coast climate (Indian For. Rec., Sylviculture, 4, No. 2; Govt. of India Press, New Delhi, 1939). The investigation was carried out on a number of small-scale experiments and four large-scale ones. Five methods of weeding were tried. At the time, the principal method of weeding the young teak was by the expensive way of forking. The experiments carried on since 1932 have demonstrated that the method termed scraping is cheaper and as efficient on light forest soils; and that other methods, such as the cheap weeding by weed cutting alone, are not worth while. Weed cutting by hand is by no means cheap in England. By the scraping method it is said that plantation costs are being reduced by Rs. 10 per acre and the quality is as good as formerly. The scraping is done in 4 ft. strips (2 ft. on each side of the line of plants). Weed growth was not cut before. The scraping is effected with an ordinary mammoty (like a pointed spade with a recurved handle), removing about ½ in. of soil and cutting the weed roots at that depth below the original soil-level. The weeds removed are piled on the 2 ft. unweeded strips between the lines without cutting the weed growth on them. Or the operation may be carried out over the complete area, the weeds being then presumably removed.