Studies on anatomical properties of Salix hybrids wood

Abstract

The anatomical properties of Salix hybrids’ wood or clones basically determine their suitability for various end-uses. The main objective of this study was to investigate the inter-clonal variation of anatomical properties in 3 year old 37 Salix hybrids’ clones grown in Naganji experimental area, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P). Wood samples of three individual clones per Salix hybrid were randomly collected and prepared according to the standard anatomical techniques. All anatomical properties of Salix hybrids’ wood showed significant inter-clonal variation, indicating the possibility of identifying clones with superior wood properties. The mean values of vessel frequency, pore (vessel) diameter, ray height, ray width, uniseriate ray frequency, fiber length and fiber diameter were varied from 117.067 (UHFS260/11)-279.663/mm2 (UHFS412), 30.49 (UHFS208)-60.62 µm (UHFS111), 0.097 (J194)-0.426 mm (UHFS296), 7.91 (UHFS208)-9.36 µm (UHFS333), 36.534 (UHFS111)-88.672/mm2 (UHFS113), 0.677 (NZ1002)-1.142 mm (UHFS260/11) and 18.33 (UHFS412)-21.53 µm (UHFS248), respectively. Overall, the results of this study indicated that all these Salix hybrids’ clones have therefore good potential to be used in the willow wood industry, particularly, as raw material for pulp and paper yields. This information can also be used for comparative studies with other Salix species as well as other tree species being evaluated for wood quality improvement and other applications. However, further continuous study is needed to assess any change of anatomical characteristics associated with age increment and environmental factors.