Radial Variation in Tracheid Length and Growth Ring Width of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Malawi

Wood anatomical features measured in tree-rings are useful indicators of environmental change and wood quality. This study was conducted to investigate the radial variation in tracheid length and growth ring width and to demarcate the boundary between juvenile wood and mature wood of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon grown in Malawi. A total of 90 discs were collected from six families at breast height (1.3 m above the ground) and were measured for tracheid length and growth ring width. The results show that there were statistical significant (P<0.001) differences on tracheid length and growth ring width among the ring numbers in juvenile wood. Tracheid length at first increased rapidly from pith to bark and thereafter increased gradually or remains more or less constant, while growth ring width decreased. However, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences on tracheid length and growth ring width among families across the radius. On the basis of radial variation of tracheid length, the boundary between juvenile wood and mature wood could be marked at ring number 10 from the pith. This should be taken into account when planning for forest management and product manufacturing using Pinus kesiya grown in Malawi.

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