Morphometric Analysis of the Fibres in the Trunk of Alstonia boonei

Abstract

The morphometric analysis of fibres in the trunk of Alstonia boonei was carried out in both the axial and radial directions by following standard procedures. Microscopic examinations of the fibres showed medium-sized, thick-walled and aseptate librifom fibres with living protoplasm. The mean lengths (µm), mean diameters (µm), lumen widths (µm) and mean cell wall thickness (µm) of the entire fibres in the trunk of the species were 1025.50 ± 0.24, 27.85 ± 8.13, 19.49 ± 8.26 and 4181.20 ± 2.17 respectively. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analyses such as ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Range Test (D.M.R.T). As a result, the mean fibre lengths and diameters decreased significantly at P≤0.05 from base to top of the trunk. However, they increased from core-wood to outer-woods but the increment was only significant at (P≤0.05) in the lengths of fibres along the radial plane of the trunk. In the same vein, the mean cell wall thickness of the fibres along the axial plain of the trunk were 3560.30 ± 1.15, 3896 ± 1.21 and 5086.30 ± 3.19 for the base, middle and top positions respectively. On the other hand, it increased inconsistently from core-wood to outer-wood with the values of 4216.70 ± 1.55, 3762.30 ± 1.34 and 4564.50 ± 3.12 respectively. Statistics showed that the increase was significant (P≤0.05) along the axial axes but insignificant along the radial axes.Conclusive recommendations of the species as shelterbelts for inhabitants of areas disturbed by wind and windstorms as well as constructions of yam and animal barns for subsistent and commercial agriculturists were made.

Keywords: Morphometric, Alstonia boonei, libriform fibres, medium-sized, trunk.