Comparison of wood anatomy of different Paulownia species grown in Pakistan
Comparison of wood anatomy of different Paulownia species grown in Pakistan
Khalid Hussain, G. M. Nasir and Tanvir Hussain
ABSTRACT
Imperative analysis of ring growth rate, heartwood percentage and anatomical properties of locally grown species Paulownia catalpifolia, Paulownia elongata, Paulownia fortune and Paulownia tomentosa was carried out in order to observe the extent of variations. Discs were cut off from the butt log of each species at breast height and data were collected for the growth rate and heartwood percentage. To observe variations in anatomical properties, the sample blocks were removed from the disc of each species and permanent slides of cross, radial and tangential sections were prepared and examined under the microscope. Data were collected for ring growth rate, heartwood and sapwood percentage along with different dimensions of fiber, vessel and wood rays of each species. Results showed that maximum average ring growth rate was found in Paulownia catalpifolia and the highest heartwood percentage was observed in Paulownia tomentosa. Maximum fiber length and fiber diameter was measured in P. catalpifolia and the lowest in Paulownia fortune. Greatest fiber wall thickness was determined in P. tomentosa while the lowest in P. fortune. The largest diameter of earlywood vessel was observed in P. elongate and that of latewood vessel in P. catalpifolia. The highest frequency of earlywood vessel per unit area was found in P. tomentosa and that of latewood vessel in P. fortune. Maximum ray height at tangential side was measured in P. catalpifolia whereas the ray width was found in P. tomentosa. The highest frequency of wood rays at tangential side was observed in P. fortune whereas at cross side it was found in P. tomentosa.
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June 2016
Vol. 66, Iss. 2
