Wood density and fibre composition of the stem of Adansonia digitata Linn.

The wood density (g/cm3) and fibre composition of stem of a fully grown species of Adansonia digitata were studied by following standard procedures. Very low wood density of averages of 0.50, 0.50,and 0.37 were calculated for the base, middle and top axial positions respectively. In the radial position, average wood density of 0.49, 0.44 and 0.56 were calculated at the basal region for the core, middle and outer portions respectively. Similarly, average density of 0.52, 0.50 and 0.47 were calculated for the core, middle and outer radial axes at the middle of the stem. At the top, average wood density were found to be 0.34, 0.35 and 0.42 for the core, middle and outer portion respectively. There were considerable variations in the wood density in both the axial and radial direction of the log though not significantly different (0.05 level) from one another. Libriform, non-septate and medium sized fibres were discovered in the log both at the base, middle and top axial position. The average length (μm) of fibres were 900.33±0.23, 1060.53±0.51 and 901.07±0.42 for the base, middle and top axial axes of the log respectively while, the average diameter (μm)of fibres were calculated along the axial axes of the log to be 32.72±0.10, 30.93±0.21 and 29.73±0.22 for the base, middle and top respectively. There were insignificant (at 0.05 levels) differences in fibre diameter along the axial, radial axes of the log. It was opined that the additional information on the importance of this medicinal plant as revealed in this study could, among others, create awareness about the sustainable usage of the species.