Browsing by Author "Adeyemi Iyiola Ebenezer"

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    Technical Rotation age for Naturally-Grown Bambusa vulgaris for Fuelwood, Fibre and Structural Application
    (Forest and Forest Poduct Society, 2016-10-12) Nusirat Aderinsola Sadiku; Adeyemi Iyiola Ebenezer; Olayiwola Yetunde Bolarinwa
    Basic properties of Bambusa vulgaris from different ages were examined to determine the optimum technical growth rotation for fuelwood, source of fibre and structural application. Bamboo culm samples aged 2, 3 and 4 years were taken from naturally growing bamboo stock in the Campus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. The density, porosity, shrinkage, swelling, fibre morphology and derived fibre values obtained from the geometry of the fibre, the fuel, chemical as well as the strength properties were determined. All the tests were conducted following the standards of Technical Association of Pulp and paper Industry (TAPPI) and American standard for testing materials (ASTM). The results showed that the maximum density (877.23Kg/m3) was attained at age 3 while the minimum culm density of age 2 (755.22Kg/m3) is slightly above the minimum wood density requirement of pulp industry. No significant variations existed in the extractive content, fuel properties, fibre dimensions and the derived values among ages. However, significant variation existed in porosity, density, holocellulose, α – cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin content among ages. The silica content and all the mechanical properties varied significantly among ages except compression strength perpendicular to grain. By considering the basic characteristics of Bambusa vulgaris at different ages, the recommended optimum technical rotation age for cellulosic fibre production is 2 years, for structural application age 3 - 4 is considered the harvesting age as the density and strength start decreasing after age 3 except MOE while culms may be harvested for fuelwood at any age as it is not necessary to use matured culm.