Abstract
Anthocephalus cadamba is an important tree species for pulp and paper industry. Anatomical studies were conducted between trees of different age viz., 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were selected from different plantation. One plus tree from each age was felled for the study. The transverse discs of 10 cm thickness were collected from three different heights of tree representing base, middle and top positions. Anatomical properties like Fibre Length, Fibre Diameter, Fibre Lumen Width, Fibre Wall Thickness, Flexibility, Slenderness ratio, Runkel ratio, Vessel Length, Vessel Diameter, Vessel Area, Vessel Frequency, Ray Height, Ray Width and Ray Frequency were studied. Present study revealed that the average Runkel ratio of Anthocephalus cadamba was 0.48; hence it is suitable for pulp and paper production. Fibre length at the ages of 6, 8 and 10 were at par. Fibre wall thickness were not significantly different at 2, 4, 6 and 8 age but 10 years of age fibre wall thickness differed significantly from other five different ages. Fibre diameter, fibre lumen width and slenderness were at par for all the five ages. Flexibility was at par in the ages of 2, 4, 6, and 8. Best practice of harvesting Anthocephalus cadamba would be at the age of six. Ray and vessel morphology did not show any specific trend from two to ten years old tree.
Keywords
Anthocephalus cadamba, Fibre Morphology, Age Gradation