Philippine Journal of Science
149 (3-a): 1005-1013, October 2020
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 04 May 2020
Morphological, Anatomical, and Physical Properties of Iron Bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunt.) Grown in the Philippines
Jayric F. Villareal1,2*, Oliver S. Marasigan1, Rosalie C. Mendoza1,
Marina A. Alipon3, and Willie P. Abasolo1
1Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, College of Forestry and Natural Resources University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
2College of Agroforestry and Forestry, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University North La Union Campus, San Fernando City, La Union 2500 Philippines
3Material Science Division, Forest Product Research and Development Institute Department of Science and Technology, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
*Corresponding author: jfvillareal@up.edu.ph
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Villareal J et al. 2020. Morphological, Anatomical, and Physical Properties of Iron Bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunt.) Grown in the Philippines. Philipp J Sci 149(3A): 1005–1013. https://doi.org/10.56899/149.3A.25
ABSTRACT
The morphological, anatomical, and physical properties of Guadua angustifolia Kunt. grown at Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines were determined to gather benchmark data about these properties and evaluate its suitability for different uses. Towards the top portion, morphological properties like culm diameter and culm wall thickness significantly decreased with an average value of 7.06 cm and 10.49 mm, respectively, while internode length with an average value of 29.66 cm increased. Anatomically, fiber length, fiber diameter, and cell wall thickness significantly decreased from bottom to top with an average value of 2.53 mm, 21.87 µm, and 9.53 µm, respectively, while vascular bundles frequency and lumen diameter with an average value of 1.83 mm2 and 2.87 µm, respectively, and deviated from this trend. Average moisture content (81.82%), radial (18.37%), tangential (8.33%), and volumetric (25.49%) shrinkage values were recorded and these properties were observed to exhibit a decreasing trend from bottom to top while relative density (0.63) and longitudinal shrinkage (0.28%) increased. Significant relationships between different properties were observed in this study. The majority of anatomical and physical properties were found to be positively correlated with culm wall thickness and culm diameter but negatively correlated with internode length. Moreover, except for lumen diameter, relative density was significantly correlated with all morphological and anatomical properties. Most of the physical properties (moisture content, radial, tangential, and volumetric shrinkage values) appeared to have a negative relationship with vascular bundles frequency. Results signified that paper made from G. angustifolia will have high tear resistance but would be less suitable in terms of beating process compared to other economically important bamboo varieties in the Philippines. This bamboo can also be used for building construction and engineered bamboo products based on the values gathered in the study.