GROWTH AND WOOD PROPERTIES OF GMELINA ARBOREA (VERBENACEAE) SEEDLINGS GROWN UNDER FIVE SOIL MOISTURE REGIMES

Abstract

The effects of different watering regimes on vegetative growth, histological properties of wood, and the derived values relevant to paper and pulp production of Gmelina arborea Roxb. were investigated. Soil moisture stress significantly retarded vegetative growth as analyzed by leaf area ratio, root shoot ratio, net assimilation rate, and relative growth rate. Moisture stress also adversely affected specific gravity of the wood, fiber length, diameter, lumen size, and fiber wall thickness, but enhanced flexibility coefficient, lowered slenderness ratio, and runkel ratio. Although water stress reduces the volume of wood produced and changes wood fiber properties, it does not significantly affect the quality of paper produced from Gmelina wood.