STUDIES ON WOOD QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF MELIA SPECIES
Loading...
Date
2023-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigations entitled “Studies on wood quality characteristics of Melia species.” were
carried out in the Laboratory and Wood Workshop of Department of Forest Products, College of Forestry, Dr. Y
S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) during the years 2020-2021; 2021-2022
and 2022-2023. The study revealed significant variation between physical, anatomical, chemical and mechanical
characteristics of all three Melia species. The bark per cent and wood per cent exhibited significant variation.
Maximum bark per cent was found in M. azedarach (9.39 per cent). Maximum wood per cent was found in M.
dubia (96.91 per cent). Maximum MMC was found in M. dubia (178.10 per cent). Maximum specific gravity
was found in M. azedarach (0.530). Maximum radial swelling was found in M. azedarach (2.01 per cent).
Maximum tangential swelling was found in M. azedarach (3.52 per cent). Maximum volumetric swelling was
found in M. azedarach (5.44 per cent). Maximum radial shrinkage was found in M. azedarach (4.07 per cent).
Maximum tangential shrinkage was found in M. azedarach (5.85 per cent). Maximum volumetric shrinkage was
found in M. azedarach (9.84 per cent). The longest fibre length was found in M. dubia (1.132 mm) while
maximum fibre diameter was found in M. azedarach (0.035 mm). The maximum vessel diameter was found in
M. composita (0.336 mm) while maximum vessel frequency was found in M. dubia (10.29). The maximum ray
height was found in M. azedarach (0.787 mm) while maximum ray width was found in M. azedarach (0.153
mm). The maximum cold water-soluble extractives were found in M. dubia (5.80 per cent). The maximum hot
water-soluble extractives were found in M. azedarach (8.36 per cent). The maximum alcohol-benzene soluble
extractives were found in M. azedarach (10.30 per cent). The maximum average 1 per cent NaOH soluble
extractives were found in M. composita (23.70 per cent). The maximum ash content was found in M. azedarach
(3.98 per cent). The maximum holocellulose content was found in M. dubia (71.80 per cent) while the maximum
lignin content was found in M. azedarach (30.60 per cent). The maximum tensile strength was reported in M.
azedarach (0.087 kN/mm2) while maximum bending strength was reported in M. azedarach (0.01 kN/mm2).
The maximum compression strength parallel to grain was reported in M. azedarach (0.037 kN/mm2) while the
maximum compression strength perpendicular to grain was reported in M. azedarach (0.025 kN/mm2). The
maximum value for modulus of elasticity among the species was found in M. azedarach (7846.95 MPa) while
maximum value of modulus of rupture was found in M. azedarach (205.90 MPa). It was found that specific
gravity was positively and significantly correlated with bending strength, compression parallel to grain, MOE
and MOR. Lignin was positively significant with specific gravity, compression strength parallel to grain, MOE
and MOR. Tensile strength was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with 1 per cent NaOH
soluble extractives. Regression analysis revealed that linear function was best fit to predict the mechanical
properties.