Suitability of Acacia decurrence Fiber Morphology For Pulp and Paper Making

Suitability of Acacia decurrence Fiber Morphology For Pulp and Paper Making | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Suitability of Acacia decurrence Fiber Morphology For Pulp and Paper Making LAMESA ABARA This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2336411/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the fiber properties of Acacia decurrence as an alternative raw material quality evaluation for pulp and paper production. Trees from an even-aged stand with a similar stem diameter class were selected randomly. Wood discs were cross cut systematically from a log at the bottom (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%) position along the merchantable height, as well as a block of wood (2cmx2cmx2cm), was taken from pith to periphery: at near pith (10%), middle(50%), and near bark (90%) of disk radius. Fiber properties were determined, and their change with tree height and distance from the pith to the bark were evaluated. The fiber length, fiber width, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness were measured while the derived fiber values were computed from the measured fiber dimensions. All the data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance. The results showed that the overall means were 1.37mm, 39.60µm, 9.68µm, 1.93µm, 0.39, 35.38, 24.82, and 0.09 for fiber length, fiber width, lumen diameter, cell wall thickness, Runkle ratio, slenderness ratio, flexibility coefficient, and wall coverage ratio, respectively. A.decurrence was found to fulfill most of the derived fiber values for pulp and paper production, as any part of the tree portion along tree heights and from the pith to the periphery can be utilized for pulp and paper production. Forestry Fiber dimension Derived fiber values Pulp and Paper Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Introduction The pulp is made of hardwood, softwood, agricultural residues, and other similar lignocellulosic materials. Hard wood and softwood pulp represent 95% of total global pulp production, with the remaining 5% coming from lignocellulosic materials, mainly agricultural residues and grasses (Jimenez et al., 2005). World paper consumption in 2025 will be 500 million tonnes, an increase of around 1.6% per year (FAO, 2014, Forest Industries, 2013). Pulp and paper consumption has increased globally and will continue to increase in the near future due to many reasons, which include population growth and industrialization in developing countries (Hurter and Riccio, 1998). Ethiopia has a paper and paperboard per capita consumption of 1kg per person per year, which has been growing by 10% every year (ERCA, 2015). The Consumption of paper and paper products is growing faster in Ethiopia due to the expansion of education and the rapid increase in disposable income. Perpetuated by these factors, the craving for paper has grown in Ethiopia. However, the country has not matched that appetite with sufficient local production to meet the mounting demand. There is a large outflow of funds for the purchase of pulp, paper and paper-based articles. Ethiopia, on average (2014, 2015 and 2016), imported about USD 17 million worth of pulp from wood or other fibrous cellulosic material and USD 349 million worth of paper and paperboards (Durai et al ., 2018). A continued supply of paper to meet these growing demands would require additional suitable raw materials to complement traditional sources of diminishing raw materials. Despite the presence of many fast-growing, widely agro ecologically adaptable indigenous and exotic woody species, imports of forest products, including pulp and paper, from other countries are increasing at an alarming rate in Ethiopia (Getachew et al., 2012). The Acacia decurrens tree belongs to the species of Acacia section Botrycephalae, which is characterized by bi-pinnate adult foliage and flower heads, that are normally arranged in elongated racemes and are found in temperate areas of eastern and southeastern Australia (Orchard and Wilson, 2001). It is endemic in New South Wales, where it occurs chiefly on the coast and tablelands from the Hunter Valley south to the Australian Capital Territory (Orchard and Wilson, 2001; Maslin et al ., 1988). A. decurrens are shapely erect trees that grow to be 5-10 meters tall but sometimes attain 20–22 meter under favourable conditions, commonly with single, straight main stems, strong, shallow lateral roots (Boland, 1987; Pryor and Banks, 1991). A . decurrens was introduced into the central highlands of Ethiopia in the early 1990s as short-rotation forestry (Sawyer, 1993) to counter urban firewood shortages arising from deforestation (Pohjonen and Pukkala, 1990). It was introduced into state-owned plantations in the north-western Highlands around the same year (Achamyeleh, 2015). A. decurrens is an excellent source of fuel wood, pulpwood, hardboard production, building poles, tanning of hides, mine props, fence posts, valuable timber species, etc ( Allen, 1981; Gamble, 1902). Fiber properties and derived fiber indices that determine the pulp yield, pulp and paper quality of the wood of A. decurence are not well documented, even though it is an abundant species.Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fiber properties of A. decurrence , in the context of potential raw material quality evaluation for pulp and paper production. Material And Methods Site Description The study sample was taken from Debremarkos in the Amhara region, which is located 300 km northwest of Addis Ababa. The study area has a latitude and longitude of 10 0 17′30"-10 0 22′30"N and 37° 42′ 0"-37 0 45′0"E respectively(Figure 1), with elevations ranging from 1283 to 2500 meters above sea level. The average temperature is 16.1 0 c, with minimum and maximum ranging from 9.7 0 c to 22.5 o c (Yitayew, H. and Amente, G., 2012). Sample Collection Technique The samples were collected from a five-year-old managed stand of Acacia decurrence in the Amhara Forest Enterprise, Debremarkos area. For sample tree selection, two plots with a size of 10 m x 10 m and a spacing distance of 20 m between the plots were laid down. Trees with merchantable log size, good morphological quality, a straight trunk, and no disease or pest symptoms were marked with numbers in each of the two plots. Thereafter, three trees were randomly selected from the tagged trees found in each plot. Totally, six trees were selected from the two plots according to the ASTM D143-83 standard (1983). For the study, one disc was taken from each of the selected trees at the bottom (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%), for a total of 18 discs (Latib et al. , 2014). Each disc was immediately clearly labeled and put into plastic bags in order to avoid moisture loss. Finally, all discs were taken to the laboratory of the Forest Products Innovation Center for further processing. Sample preparation The collected discs from bottom, middle and top parts were further transversally marked for the investigation of fiber properties, as shown on Fig. 1 and sample specimens were taken at the discs’ near pith (10%), middle (50%) and near bark (90%) radii. For the fiber dimension (length and width), matchstick sizes of (1cm × 0.2cm × 0.2 cm) were taken from pith to periphery, and 50% nitric acid was used for maceration because of its shorter reaction time and its being more economical when compared to other methods (Mahesh et al ., 2015). Matchstick-size samples were taken and immersed completely in a nitric acid solution, and kept in a water bath at 70 ºC for 5 to 6 hours, until the fiber was separated. The nitric acid was drained after cooling, and the macerated fibers were washed with distilled water and filtered through what man Grade 1 filter paper with the fibers remaining on the paper (Mahesh et al ., 2015). Two microscopic slides were prepared per sample, and images were taken using a camera attached Motic BA210 microscope. Then the dimensions of 50 fibers were measured (Ishiguri et al ., 2016) using the Motic software. For cell diameter, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness measurement, the specimens were softened in warm water below 100 0 c for one hour, and microtome-slices were cut by using a Leica sliding microtome with a thickness of 20µm (Ishiguri et al ., 2016). Then the slice was immersed in safranin solution and 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 97% of alcohol concentrations, respectively, for one minute so as to remove excess safranin solution that may cause the invisibility of cells (Berhanu et al ., 2016). Finally, the specimens were immersed in xylene for 1 minute and put on the slide (standard 7.5cm×2.5cm). A small amount of Canada balsam was dropped on the slide, which was then covered with the slide cover and allowed to dry. Thereafter, an image was taken with a camera attached Motic BA210 microscope, and 30 cells were sampled from each of the three transversal locations of pith-to-sapwood, for which cell diameter, lumen diameters, and cell wall thickness were measured using the Motic software as described by Ishiguri e t al . (2016)(figure 2). The equations used for the computation of the derived values: Runkel ratio (Ibrahim and Abdelgadir, 2015), slenderness ratio (Samarih et al. , 2011), flexibility coefficient (Santos et al. , 2018), and wall coverage ratio (Hudson et al., 1998) were expressed in equations 1- 4. Statistical Analysis Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure. Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) was used to compare the mean values of each of the fiber dimensions and derived fiber values along the tree height levels and transversally from pith to sapwood. Results And Discussion Fiber length along tree height and from pith to periphery This study showed that fiber length ranged from1.29±0.14 mm to 1.52±0.17mm along with tree height and 1.25±0.19 to 1.46±0.11 mm from the pith to the periphery of the disks of A.decurence wood. It varied significantly with tree heights (Fig.2a). However, no significant difference (p<0.05) was obtained while going from pith to the periphery (Fig.2b). Fiber length decreased from the bottom to the top; however, it increased from the pith to the periphery. The general decrease in fiber length from the bottom to the top and its corresponding increase from near the pith to the periphery, which was observed in this study, agrees with the earlier report of Tavares et al . (2011) on A. melanoxylon wood. The mean value in fiber length obtained in this study (1.38mm) is higher than the previous report of Tavares et al . (2011), which ranged from 0.91 mm to 0.97 mm along the tree height and 0.75 mm to 1.06 mm from the pith to the periphery of A. melanoxylon . Additionally, the result was higher than the report of Santos et al . (2006), which ranged from 0.63 to 0.66mm. The difference may be due to species, location and age (Jorge et al ., 2000). Moreover, the results were higher than those of other acacia species, namely Acacia mangium, which ranged from 0.96 mm to 1.20 mm (Lim and Gan, 2000), and Acacia bilimekii (1.016 -1.201mm) (Quintanar Isaias et al ., 2005). The results obtained in this study were higher than pulpwood species such as Gmelina arborea (1.03mm), Leucaena leucocephala (1.01mm) (Onuorah, 2001), and Eucalyptus species (0.67–1.06 mm) (Dutt and Tyagi, 2011; Ververis et al ., 2004). Since the fiber length obtained is higher than that of other pulpwood species, the studied species is better suited for pulp and paper making. The decreasing trend of fiber length from bottom to top observed in this study could be due to the fact that minimal net photosynthetic activities for cell development at the top are caused by competition for leaf and branch development that may have led to better cell production at the bottom (Mercy et al ., 2017). While the increase in fiber length from pith to periphery could be due to an increase in the length of cambial initials with increasing cambial age and crown formation (Jorge et al., 2000). Furthermore, this may be due to many molecular and physiological changes that normally occur in the vascular cambium during the aging process (Plomion et al ., 2001). The cells produced in the primary xylem divide less frequently, thus allowing more time for the fusiform initial section to elongate longitudinally and transversely (Horacek et al ., 1999). Fiber length is an important fiber parameter that affects pulp quality and paper strength (Ek et al ., 2009) and paper sheet formation and uniformity (Paavilainen, 2000). It has also a strong effect on pulp yield, freeness, active alkali consumption, tear index, and bending stiffness (Wimmer et al ., 2002). Fiber Width, Lumen Diameter, and Cell Wall Thickness Variation along Tree Height levels The result obtained in fiber width, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness along the tree height of A. decurrence is presented in Fig 3. Along with the tree height, the fiber width ranged from 38.86 to 40.07µm. Duncan multiple range tests showed that variation in fiber width was insignificant along height levels (p<0.05) (Fig.3) and it decreased from the bottom to the top of the trees. The mean fiber width obtained in this study (39.60µm) was higher than other acacia species previously reported by Santos et al. (2012) (19.55µm) and Santos et al . (2006) (17.6µm) on Acacia melanoxylon . The result is also higher than pulpwood species such as E. globulus. Accordingly, Santos et al . (2008) observed values ranging from 18.3 to 19.3 µm, and Miranda et al . (2001) reported 14.5 to 22.2 µm of fiber width. Similar to the fiber length, the decreasing trend of fiber width from base to top observed in this study could be due to the fact that minimal net photosynthetic activities for cell development at the top are caused by competition for leaf and branch development that may have led to better cell production at the base (Mercy et al ., 2017). A. decurrence lumen diameter ranged from 9.52 µm to 9.80µm along the tree height. A Duncan multiple range test revealed that the variations in lumen diameter along the tree heights were insignificant (p<0.05) (Fig.3). It increased from the bottom to the top of the trees. Lumen diameter has an effect on the pulping process. For instance, a larger lumen diameter gives better pulp beating because of the penetration of liquid into the void spaces of the fibers (Emerhi, 2012). Along tree heights, cell wall thickness ranged from 1.85 to 2.03 µm . Cell wall thickness of the three sections of the trees along their height significantly (p<0.05) differed between the bottom, middle, and top (Fig.3). It decreased from bottom to top of tree portions. The result obtained was lower than other pulpwood species. For instance, in E. globulus, it ranged from 5.4μm to 7.3μm along the tree heights, with a decreasing trend from the bottom to the top (Quilhó et al ., 2000). Wood with thick cell walls tends to produce paper with a poor printing surface and poor burst strength. Thick-walled cells do not bend easily and do not collapse upon pulping, which inhibits chemical bonding. However, thin-walled cells collapse upon pulping, bond well together chemically, and produce a smoother paper surface (Zobel and van Buijtenen, 1989). Therefore, A. decurence is better than E. globulus for pulping in terms of its cell wall thickness. Variation Across from Pith to Periphery The fiber dimensions of A. decurrence wood at different distances from the pith to the bark are presented in Fig. 4. Fiber width ranged from 39.16 µm to 40.10µm from pith to bark. Duncan multiple range tests showed the difference between the fiber width near the pith and near the bark to be insignificant (p<0.05) (Fig.4). The fiber width increased from the pith to the periphery. A similar trend was reported by Izekor and Fuwape (2011) on Teak and Ogunsanwo (2000) on T. scleroxylon . The reason for this trend was attributed to the influence of cambium age on the development and maturation of fiber from pith to bark (Mercy et al ., 2017). The mean lumen diameter of A. decurrence ranged from 9.42µm to 9.85µm while going transversally from the pith to the periphery (Fig.4). The lumen diameter at the pith was found to be less than at the periphery, though the difference was insignificant (p<0.05) (Fig.4). The cell wall thickness ranged from 1.84µm to 1.99µm transversally from the pith to the periphery . The difference between the cell wall thickness at the middle and near the periphery was found to be insignificant (p<0.05); however, both sections significantly (p<0.05) differed from the near pith on cell-wall thickness (Fig.4). Cell wall thickness increased from near the pith to the periphery of the disk. The increase of cell wall thickness from the pith to the periphery of A. decurrence was previously reported by Tavares et al . (2011) on A. melanoxylon wood. The result obtained for the cell wall thickness was lower than Acacia melanoxylon, which ranged from 3.45 μm to 3.89 μm (Tavares et al . 2011), and Eucalyptus species (3.29 μm to 3.86 μm) (Dutt and Tyagi, 2011) which are mostly used as raw materials for pulp and paper. However, similar to the results of Jorge (1994) and Santos et al . (2018), which ranged from 1.8μm to 2.5μm and 2.00μm and 2.40μm respectively. However, the result was less than A. cochliacantha which increased 5 to 7μm from pith to bark (Quintanar Isaias et al ., 2005). This difference may be due to species, age and growing environment differences in the sample trees, which significantly affect wood fiber properties (Burdon et al ., 2004). Table 1: Analysis of Variance for fiber properties of Acacia decurrence Source of Variation df Fiber Length Cell Wall Thickness Fiber Width Lumen Diameter Position 2 0.000 * 0.004 * 0.125 ns 0.69 ns Section 2 0.000 * 0.021 * 0.849 ns 0.418 ns Position*Section 4 0.334 ns 0.385 * 0.959 ns 0.629 ns Residual 45 Total 54 *significant, ns-non significant Derived Fiber Values In addition to the absolute fiber dimensions(fiber length,fiber width,lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness),fiber derived indices such as Runkel Ratio, Slenderness Ratio, wall coverage ratio and Flexibility Coefficient, help derive better judgement about the suitability of wood for pulp and paper making (Ofosu et al., 2020). Variation of derived fiber values along tree height Based on Table-2, the mean values of the Runkle ratio ranged from 0.38±0.04 to 0.42±0.04. Duncan multiple range tests showed that there is no significant (p<0.05) difference in Runkle ratio between the middle and top tree portions, however, both portions significantly (p<0.05) differed from the bottom portion (Table 2). Table 2: Mean and standard deviation of derived fiber values along the height Derived fiber values N Sampling height (%) Bottom (10%) Middle (50%) Top (90%) Runkle ratio 18 0.42±0.04 b 0.38±0.04 a 0.39±0.06 a Slenderness ratio 18 38.67±4.83 b 33.75±7.15 a 33.72±5.48 a Flexibility coefficient 18 24.31±4.02 a 24.59±2.50 a 25.56±4.06 a Wall coverage ratio 18 0.10±0.01 a 0.09±0.01 a 0.10±0.01 a Mean of the same row with different superscript are significantly different (p<0.05) The mean values of slenderness ratio obtained along tree height levels ranged from 33.75 to 38.67 (Table2). It has higher in bottom (38.67±4.83) and minimum at the top portion(33.72±5.48). Duncan multiple range tests showed that there was no significant (p<0.05) difference in slenderness ratio between the middle and top tree portions; however, both portions significantly (p< 0.05) differed from the bottom portion (Table 2). The slenderness ratio is related to fibre length and width and influences paper sheet density and increases tearing resistance (Agnihotri et al ., 2010). The mean values of the flexibility coefficient along tree height levels of A. decurence ranged from 24.31±4.02 to 24.59±2.50 and it increased from the bottom to the top of the tree height. The flexibility coefficient did not differ significantly along tree height (Table 2). The mean values obtained for the wall coverage ratio along tree height ranged from 0.09±0.01 to 0.10±0.01. Duncan multiple range tests showed that there was no significant (p<0.05) difference in wall coverage ratio between the portions (Table 2). Wall coverage ratio is an index for bending resistance (Hudson et al ., 1998) and is related to fiber flexibility (Amidon, 1981). Generally, all derived fiber values decreased from the bottom to the top of tree portions, except for flexibility and wall coverage ratio. Variation of derived fiber values from pith to periphery The mean values of the Runkle ratio ranged from 0.37 to 0.42 transversally from the pith to the periphery of the disk. The Runkle ratio significantly differed between the near-pith and near-bark positions; However, both the near-pith and near-periphery positions showed no significant difference (p<0.05) from the middle (Table 2). This value agrees with the one previously reported by Santos et al . (2012), Anjos et al . (2011), and Santos et al. (2018) on A. melanoxylon . Furthermore, the values were lower than E. globulus wood, which is the most well-known pulpwood, and its Runkle value was 0.56 as reported by Patt et al . (2006). According to Kiaei et al . (2014), Runkel ratio is a parameter used to determine the suitability of a raw material for pulp. Ona et al . (2001) reported that runkel ratio was significantly related to pulp yield (positively) and digestibility (negatively). If the Runkle ratio < 1, the fibre is highly appropriate for pulp and paper production; from 1 to 2 is regular; and above 2, it may not be used for paper (Santos et al . 2018). All Runkle ratio values obtained in this study along with tree height and distance from pith were lower than 1 (Tables 1 and2), suggesting a good potential for pulp and paper production. Based on table-2, the mean values obtained in slenderness ratio from pith to periphery ranged from (31.51±5.44 to 37.83±5.66) with an increasing trend from inner to outer wood. The slenderness ratio significantly (p<0.05) varied between the near pith and the near bark; however, both sections showed no significant difference (p<0.05) from the middle one (Table 2). Fiber with more than 33 of slenderness ratio to be appropriate for use as raw material in pulp and paper industry (Sharma et al., 2018; Ofosu et al., 2020). Hence, in terms of its slenderness ratio, A. decurrence was found to be suitable for pulp and paper production since the value obtained is more than the accepted standard (33%), both along tree height and from the pith to periphery of the disk. According to Ogunjobi et al . (2014a), pulp tear resistance increases with increasing fiber slenderness. This means paper made from A. decurrence would have low tear strength and, therefore, may be suitable for wrapping and packaging purposes. Table 3: Mean and Standard Deviation of Derived Fiber Values Across Distance From the Pith Derived fiber values N Distance from the pith (%) Near pith (10%) Middle (50%) Near bark (90%) Runkle ratio 18 0.37±0.04 a 0.40±0.06 ab 0.42±0.04 b Slenderness ratio 18 31.51± 5.44 a 36.80± 5.98 b 37.83± 5.66 b Flexibility coefficient 18 24.84± 3.08 a 25.25± 3.80 a 24.36± 3.93 a Wall coverage ratio 18 0.09± 0.01 a 0.10±0.02 a 0.10± 0.01 a Mean of the same row with different superscript are significantly different (p <0.05). The value obtained for the flexibility index ranged from 24.36 to 25.25 transversally from the pith to the periphery and it was higher at the middle section(25.25±3.80) of the disk (Table 2). A Duncan multiple range test showed that there was no significant (p<0.05) difference in flexibility coefficient from near the pith to the periphery of the disk (Table 2). The overall mean value obtained for flexibility coefficient was less than previous work by Santos et al . (2018) on A.melanoxylon wood, which was in the ranges of elastic fiber (50-75%). Additionally, the value is less than other known pulpwood. For instance, E. globulus species (72%) and E. camaldulensis (70%) (Ona et al., 2001). According to Hemmasi et al . (2011), the flexibility coefficient (FC) can be divided into four classes: high-elastic fibers with FC over 75; elastic fibers with FC between 50 and 75; rigid fibers with FC between 30 and 50; and highly rigid fibers with FC less than 30. Furthermore, the values of the flexibility index ranged from 50% to 75%, which is suitable to produce good paper with high strength properties (Brindha et al ., 2012). According to this classification, the flexibility coefficient of A. decurrence fibers is 24.81, so it belongs to the highly rigid fibers group and does not satisfy the requirement for pulp and paper production. The mean values obtained in the wall coverage ratio of A. decurrence from the pith to the periphery ranged from 0.09 to 0.10, and it was lower near the bark(0.10± 0.01). A Duncan multiple range test shows that there was no significant (p<0.05) difference between near-pith and periphery positions (Table 2). According to Nisgoski et al . (2011), a material with a wall coverage ratio value of less than 0.4 is considered to be good pulpwood. Therefore, A. decurrence is suitable for pulp and paper production since the value obtained meets the accepted standard. Table 4: Analysis of Variance for Derived Fiber Values of A.decurence Source of Variation df Runkle Ratio Slenderness Ratio Flexibility coefficient Wall coverage ratio Position 2 0.591 ns 0.01 * 0.017* 0.222 ns Section 2 0.01 * 0.002 * 0.785 ns 0.172 ns Position*Section 4 0.254 ns 0528 ns 0.993 ns 0.703 ns Conclusion And Recommendations Conclusion The fiber characteristics of the wood of A. decurrence trees growing around the Debremarkos area in Ethiopia were investigated to determine the usefulness of this tree as a fiber resource for pulp and paper production. All fiber dimensions decreased from the bottom to the top portion; however, they increased transversally from the pith to the periphery. Derived fiber values increased transversally from the pith to the periphery and decreased from the bottom to the top. A. decurrence with the exception of the flexibility coefficient, met the requirements of derived fiber values for pulp and paper production, and any part of the tree portion may be utilized along tree heights and transversally from pith to periphery. Compared to the wood properties related to pulp and paper quality of other Acacia and Eucalyptus species currently used for commercial pulpwood, this species showed similar properties. Generally, A. decurrence has good fiber properties (adequate fiber dimensions and its derived fiber values) as a raw material for the pulp and paper industry, except the flexibility coefficient, which was lower than the accepted standard. Recommendations Based on the findings of the study, the following points are recommended: Since information on the fiber characteristics of A. decurrence grown in the studied area showed its suitability for pulp and paper production, attention should be given by tree growers, investors, the government, and non-governmental organizations to its expanded plantation in other parts of the country. In addition to the information on fiber characteristics revealed in this study, production and testing of its pulp and paper should be done to avail comprehensive information regarding its suitability. Since the studied species grows quickly and adapts to various agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia, the government may consider it a promising and alternative species for pulp and paper production in the future. In Ethiopia, raw material evaluation and testing of pulp and paper properties are lacking in addition to the country being dependent on the import of pulp and pulp products. Therefore, the government, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and higher learning institutions should give special attention to this area. Declarations Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge all the coordinators, researchers, technical, and supporting staff members (finance, human resources and vehicles administration) of the Forest Products Innovation Center, of the Ethiopian Forest Development, for their overall technical, administrative, and logistical support during the research period. Additionally, thanks go to Amhara Forest Enterprise and local communities for letting us collect the samples for this study. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. References Achamyeleh, K.,(2015). Integration of Acacia decurrens (JC Wendl.) Willd. into the farming system, its effects on soil fertility and comparative economic advantages in Northwestern Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, Bahir Dar University). Agnihotri, S., Dutt, D. and Tyagi, C.H. (2010). 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-2336411","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":156841673,"identity":"81e7452e-1c1c-4e69-8f9c-a84bd7f75972","order_by":0,"name":"LAMESA ABARA","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA6ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPiidAMSMD4AEDx9OtVDAhqSF2QCkhQ23YkwtbBLIIri1sJ9OfPijxi6PX/rws8qvOXYybAzMDx/dwKeFJ3ezMc+x5GLJvjSz27LbkoEOYzM2zsHrsNxt0gxszIkbzjCY3ZbcxgzUwsMmjVcL/9vtP3/8q0/cf4b9W7HktnoitEjkbmPgbTucuIGHx4zx47bDxGh5u1mat+94scQZnmJpxm3HediYCfiFnz9348cf36rz+HvYN378ua3anp+9+eFjfFpQADMPmCRWOQgw/iBF9SgYBaNgFIwYAAC+6kErcl7kqwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0372-6600","institution":"Ethiopian Forest Development","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"LAMESA","middleName":"","lastName":"ABARA","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2022-12-02 08:05:21","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":true,"vertebrateSubjects":true,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":true,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true,"humanSubjectConsent":true,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true,"coiExplicitlySet":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2336411/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2336411/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":30022751,"identity":"261e1bdb-c7fe-4f29-9684-500c3b4b790e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:01:03","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":125089,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMap of sample collection area\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/fb2384176aa22e43e6d4aea9.jpg"},{"id":30022750,"identity":"31d53bc4-9d47-41fc-97ee-80823dbdea06","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:01:02","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":181840,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMeasurement of lumen diameter(A) and fiber length(B)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/8280a5c08e21d96d740c261e.jpg"},{"id":30022745,"identity":"a476165c-ecd3-4a11-8abc-61c962a9fe52","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:01:01","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":4493,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThis image is not available with this version.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"fig.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/e4481a1026557bc7e91ab052.png"},{"id":30022746,"identity":"d9340616-663a-43c9-b8f5-c7ae67c437fb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:01:02","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":63877,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eVariation of fiber length along tree height levels (a), distance from the pith (b).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMean with different letter are significant (p \u0026lt; 0.05).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/957ebac6688424a1190277a9.jpg"},{"id":30022759,"identity":"b34aa9e5-4529-48be-96e8-f529a97a14d7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:01:04","extension":"jpg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":67705,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eVariation of fiber characteristics along tree height levels.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMean of the same fiber dimension with different letter are significantly different (p \u0026lt; 0.05)\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/ea3f788a2894e356a8b6d287.jpg"},{"id":30022744,"identity":"c50003bc-ddf2-4810-9983-5c6d1f99bc42","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:00:59","extension":"jpg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":66096,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eVariation of fiber characteristics across the distance from pith.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMean of the same fiber dimension with different superscript are significantly different (p\u0026lt;0.05)\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/3ec8af6c2ca2cb5e7c08339d.jpg"},{"id":30022780,"identity":"2b98e42f-2281-483e-9f52-733af48206db","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-12-07 17:01:11","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":705287,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2336411/v1/39f11573-f539-4660-95ee-6405572cd2f6.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitability of \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcacia decurrence \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiber Morphology For Pulp and Paper Making\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe pulp is made of hardwood, softwood, agricultural residues, and other similar lignocellulosic materials. Hard wood and softwood pulp represent 95% of total global pulp production, with the remaining 5% coming from lignocellulosic materials, mainly agricultural residues and grasses (Jimenez et al., 2005). World paper consumption in 2025 will be 500 million tonnes, an increase of around 1.6% per year (FAO, 2014, Forest Industries, 2013). Pulp and paper consumption has increased globally and will continue to increase in the near future due to many reasons, which include population growth and industrialization in developing countries (Hurter and Riccio, 1998).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthiopia has a paper and paperboard per capita consumption of 1kg per person per year, which has been growing by 10% every year (ERCA, 2015). The Consumption of paper and paper products is growing faster in Ethiopia due to the expansion of education and the rapid increase in disposable income. Perpetuated by these factors, the craving for paper has grown in Ethiopia. However, the country has not matched that appetite with sufficient local production to meet the mounting demand. \u0026nbsp;There is a large outflow of funds for the purchase of pulp, paper and paper-based articles. Ethiopia, on average (2014, 2015 and 2016), imported about USD 17 million worth of pulp from wood or other fibrous cellulosic material and USD 349 million worth of paper and paperboards (Durai \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2018). A continued supply of paper to meet these growing demands would require additional suitable raw materials to complement traditional sources of diminishing raw materials.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the presence of many fast-growing, widely agro ecologically adaptable indigenous and exotic woody species, imports of forest products, including pulp and paper, from other countries are increasing at an alarming rate in Ethiopia (Getachew et al., 2012). The \u003cem\u003eAcacia decurrens\u003c/em\u003e tree belongs to the species of Acacia section Botrycephalae, which is characterized by bi-pinnate adult foliage and flower heads, that are normally arranged in elongated racemes and are found in temperate areas of eastern and southeastern Australia (Orchard and Wilson, 2001). It is endemic in New South Wales, where it occurs chiefly on the coast and tablelands from the Hunter Valley south to the Australian Capital Territory (Orchard and Wilson, 2001; Maslin \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 1988). \u003cem\u003eA. decurrens\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eare shapely erect trees that grow to be 5-10 meters tall but sometimes attain 20\u0026ndash;22 meter under favourable conditions, commonly with single, straight main stems, strong, shallow lateral roots (Boland, 1987; Pryor and Banks, 1991).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;decurrens\u003c/em\u003e was introduced into the central highlands of Ethiopia in the early 1990s as short-rotation forestry (Sawyer, 1993) to counter urban firewood shortages arising from deforestation (Pohjonen and Pukkala, 1990). It was introduced into state-owned plantations in the north-western Highlands around the same year (Achamyeleh, 2015). \u003cem\u003eA. decurrens\u003c/em\u003e is an excellent source of fuel wood, pulpwood, hardboard production, building poles, tanning of hides, mine props, fence posts, valuable timber species, etc ( Allen, 1981; Gamble, 1902).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFiber properties and derived fiber indices that determine the pulp yield, pulp and paper quality of the wood of \u003cem\u003eA. decurence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eare not well documented, even though it is an abundant species.Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fiber properties of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e, in the context of potential raw material quality evaluation for pulp and paper production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Material And Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSite Description\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study sample was taken from Debremarkos \u0026nbsp;in the \u0026nbsp;Amhara region, which is located 300 km northwest of Addis Ababa. \u0026nbsp;The study area has a latitude and longitude of 10\u003csup\u003e0\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e17′30\"-10\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003e22′30\"N and 37° 42′ 0\"-37\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003e45′0\"E respectively(Figure 1), with elevations ranging from 1283 to 2500 meters above sea level. The average temperature is 16.1\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003ec, with minimum and maximum ranging from 9.7\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003ec to 22.5\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003ec (Yitayew, H. and Amente, G., 2012).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSample Collection Technique\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe samples\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewere collected from a five-year-old managed stand of \u003cem\u003eAcacia decurrence\u003c/em\u003e in the Amhara Forest Enterprise, Debremarkos area. For sample tree selection, two plots with a size of 10 m x 10 m and a spacing distance of 20 m between the plots were laid down. Trees with merchantable log size, good morphological quality, a straight trunk, and no disease or pest symptoms were marked with numbers in each of the two plots. Thereafter, three trees were randomly selected from the tagged trees found in each plot. Totally, six trees were selected from the two plots according to the ASTM D143-83 standard (1983). For the study, one disc was taken from each of the selected trees at the bottom (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%), for a total of 18 discs (Latib \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2014). Each disc was immediately clearly labeled and put into plastic bags in order to avoid moisture loss. Finally, all discs were taken to the laboratory of the Forest Products Innovation Center for further processing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSample preparation\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collected discs from bottom, middle and top parts were further transversally marked for the investigation of fiber properties, as shown on Fig. 1 and sample specimens were taken at\u0026nbsp;the discs’ near pith (10%), middle (50%) and near bark (90%) radii.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the fiber dimension (length and width),\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003ematchstick sizes of (1cm × 0.2cm × 0.2 cm) were taken from pith to periphery, and 50% nitric acid was used for maceration because of its shorter reaction time and its being more economical when compared to other methods (Mahesh \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2015). Matchstick-size samples were taken and \u0026nbsp;immersed completely in a nitric acid solution, and kept in a water bath at 70 ºC for 5 to 6 hours, until the fiber was separated. The nitric acid was drained after cooling, and the macerated fibers were washed with distilled water and filtered through what man Grade 1 filter paper with the fibers remaining on the paper (Mahesh \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2015). \u0026nbsp;Two microscopic slides were prepared per sample, and images were taken using a camera attached Motic BA210 microscope. Then the dimensions of 50 fibers were measured (Ishiguri \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2016) using the Motic software.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor cell diameter, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness measurement, the specimens were softened in warm water below 100 \u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003ec for one hour, and microtome-slices were cut by using a Leica sliding microtome with a thickness of 20µm (Ishiguri \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2016). Then the slice was immersed in safranin solution and 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 97% of alcohol concentrations, respectively, for one minute so as to remove excess safranin solution that may cause the invisibility of cells (Berhanu \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2016). Finally, the specimens were immersed in xylene for 1 minute and put on the slide (standard 7.5cm×2.5cm). A small amount of Canada balsam was dropped on the slide, which was then covered with the slide cover and allowed to dry.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThereafter, an image was taken with a camera attached Motic BA210 microscope, and 30 cells were sampled from each of the three transversal locations of pith-to-sapwood, for which cell diameter, lumen diameters, and cell wall thickness were measured using the Motic software as described by Ishiguri e\u003cem\u003et al\u003c/em\u003e. (2016)(figure 2). The equations used for the computation of the derived values: Runkel ratio (Ibrahim and Abdelgadir, 2015), slenderness ratio (Samarih \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2011), flexibility coefficient (Santos \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2018), and wall coverage ratio (Hudson \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e1998) were expressed in equations 1- 4.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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WkmSpJoxwJMkSaoZAzxJkqSaMcCTJEmqGQM8SZKkmjHAkyRJqhkDPEmSpJrpaYBXfocmT8ZnG0/0D2zjnZuSJEmaGj0J8AjgCOTyF5jzSqN4gXtuzZo1jYULF3b1UnZJkiS115M3WURwx3s0cwR+vER9aGjorpe4825M3qu5e/fuYoskSZJ6oesaPJpbeSl5Obgbz1tvvdU4efLkqOZbSZIkda/rAG/Pnj2NtWvXFmuTs2LFisahQ4eKNUmSJPVCVwFe1L7Nnz8/zSdr+fLlqRZPkiRJvdNVgHf58uU0n2zzbC4fmCFJkqTu9WQUrSRJkmaOrgK8BQsWpPnFixfTvBP9/f3FkiRJknqhqwAvHn1y5cqVNJ+s06dPp4EWkiRJ6p2um2h5RErVSFgen8Iz8MC86u0VDLDodASuJEmSqk3pg47HwivLDhw40Dhx4kSxRZIkSb3Qk0EWBHf0pZvoQ4t5i8XWrVsN7iRJkqZATwI8au6oCFy3bl2xpT1q7nhF2YULF4otkiRJ6qWeNNFKkiRp5uhJDZ4kSZJmDgM8SZKkmjHAkyRJqhkDPEmSpJoxwJMkSaoZAzxJkqSaMcCTJEmqGQM8SZKkmjHAkyRJqhkDPEmSpJoxwJMkSaoZAzxJkqSaMcCTJEmqGQM8SZKkmjHAkyRJqhkDPEmSpJoxwJMkSaoZAzxJkqSaMcCTJEmqGQM8SZKkmjHAkyRJqhkDPEmSpJoxwJMkSaoZAzxJkqSaMcDTjPX888835syZk+bThfMx7dy5s9gyfThnnF+SpG4Y4GnKff75563ApWoKEeCEgwcPNpYsWVKsTY9z584VS9PvrbfeagwMDBRrkiR1zgBPU+7pp59u7N27Ny0PDQ01hoeH03T48OG0rZ158+alaTotWrSoWLo3Fi9eXCyNjUCYwFmSpCoGeJoWjz/+eLF0x5o1axr9/f3F2kgNFoGfxnb+/PliSZKkagZ4uieofaJv3YULF9L6eP3PPvzww8ajjz6a9nPctWvXij0jjh8/3li6dGnaP3fu3FF96PK+fPv27Uv7WZ9MDRj5xfmZc77QLv8tW7YUKUZQZrbF/nzKywvyr7pegrtnnnkmLS9btqx1vCRJOQM8TasISpjnqL3buHFjsTbaJ598kuYEg/SR++qrrxpvvvlm2gYCtdWrVzd+/etfpxrA//zP/2y8/fbbrQAu+vJxPDWJ33//faOvry/tmwiCrx07djQOHDiQ8qef3D/+4z+2gq7In3Lh+vXrqUl6+/bto4LIDz74IG377LPPUj6Dg4NpO9fE9ef+7//+L5WXJm2u/9SpU2k7Tcj/8z//k5bz5m5JknIGeJpWEZQwL1u4cGGxNNrKlStTcy4IcAgEjxw5ktaxa9euFGBt2LAhra9atSo1/R46dCitR18+asToD8gyQRjLE0Fwxzkj/fr16xs3btxoBV2R/xNPPNEqQ1WT9KeffpquJfr5PfXUU2l++/btNA/5tcQ5f/zxxzSXJGkiDPB0TxC4nDhxolibnAceeKBYGnHz5s3GmTNnWs2VTD/88EPj4sWLRYruEMxR8xZ5R7/ByQZdv/3tb1NtXNTqffHFF2k+f/78NA8Ei5IkdcMAT/edS5cu3dXESs1YNFfG1GkAWYXm1HL+5WbV8Tz55JOpdu6f/umfUqC4f//+xrFjxxqPPPJIkUKSpN4wwNO0+O6770bNqxC4VaFvW4wcpfaLARd5f71169almrEY+BCDGUgX6/k0ljjPrVu30hyci2As9lEzyMCHqCGsyv+nn35K88uXL6c56IO3YsWKxtdff50CRPrY0ZycO3v2bNoe+cQ58nsTzbbRBJ0P+JAkKWn+0EhTamhoiFEArWlwcLDYcwfbYv/evXuLrcPDK1euTFNfX1/ax3zz5s3DV69eLVKM4Pj+/v6Uhnk5j8ib5bFEOibKDc7VDPJaZViyZElrH/L849pinSnSHj58eNR2prge5PcgypnnnZ+TY+L4qvspSZrd5vCf5g+FpCnGY1wY6RsDKMBjVV5//fVUoydJUq/0pIk2ngPGxCMlohktsI19U4EmLPLOzzcbxb3XzMVAEJp+o/mVOc2+fZN4ZIsk6f7Ab3L8LhMXRZzElA8CZH0qdB3gvfHGG6nPEDUQUQuRP+OMi+OZZFOBG5S/CWE2495PttO/phcDKo4ePdp46KGH0j/ov/mbv0mPa+G5eJKk+qDii77T/C4Tq7z33nutOGnlypUpdokgj6c+8JuQPze1F7puoqVQvFM0nlOGqE2LbRHkdXmqShHklctQZ3wJeMSGAZ0kSTMLMQ/B3e7du9M6MVEen1TFLbGtl3FS1zV4FGjr1q3F2ggKPFuCrXuBUaOSJGlmIVCjQmvTpk3FljuVXaHq0VhsGxwcTK2ivdJ1gEe1Y1QvRlvzRJCWY5h4w0CIdmpuUv7uz1zelv3RRx8VW+8gWo79TCGOi3NHvszZlpepXFUa25mq+hdSHcsy5UZeRpbb9RGMsub5IO/XGHmAZe43XyCWOR8Ty+VzxLFMY31p8nRVE2Urq0rnNPMnSdLUISahCXYizzfl7Uc53m60Z8+eYq0HaKLtVjPgoE6xNfE4iFw8/iGwnj/agUdBMJUfp0G+kXfkGWnYDh5fke9nzrbAcn9//6i88/3si+1RpihPYF+IfJhThkhXLhf5BraX7wnYxj6m/H7E9lAuD3lH+rg/5XOwTpkQafLrliRJvcVv9Xi/tfxW57/5ufy3u1s9CfBCu4CFZbaFPKjKJ5QDJbAewQs3L887gpd8f+SXT6Sryht5wAQ+nAio8mvKJ9KXz50jz4kEVJF/O3Gv2gV4KJeDfXl6xHnK1y5Jknqj/PtchTTttIspOtGTUbSBduZmnqlfHk/+b6cZZKSJtPk0EYzYHQv7m4HcXXl3+joo3jfaDNTuyo8BDuTJvldeeSU1f0XzKmi6pqq106axaJ4+efLkqLc2TETVGyEWLFiQ5leuXEnzXJSx3VTVRCtJkiaHOGG8OKZXug7wCEDKol9eOwSAvH6qU+1eaQUCo3iJey88/PDDldcYGCVDwNeM2NPrsiLgjWCXYBPlfoRjIQ/Sc3yngSllqVJ+sT0iaG03OVpXkqTx8dvdLkbht708KLVKVMh0q+sAD+XghQsYq9bptddeS7VeMSABYw0CyHEsNWMx6CAGWZAfgwwYYcoAhHyQRD74YbII1AhW8/KRV+QZtXYEQQR5Ie4J7w2NIG8y8gi/XYDJNebXGWL0Tl6jyHtL+Uw6DRglSdLYnn322cp4gxhi+fLlrXeJI/+NRvye52m6Mtwl2prp10VWMTUDiWLvnf53MQXS5Ntpc45+Yvm2fD3atfNjYzlvsy6fk/VyXvTHQ76NvPI+fNFOXr6+fHtelrxdvVwG0pa1S1N1P5lH/rFOWctp4z5U5SFNlfh3k3/P4/ud/9uMfrDl76PHe7zHe/z9enyOPMp5Rf7liXPkWB8r78nyXbSadvTrQ/PLfM+af/nLiWbs5j+8xokTJ4qtkiR1hxa+/EHHE8VvYzMw7FlLW0+aaDU78SXOB2PkU171zHK+zhf4Xjt48GDqC1oW1yRJUiei4qLcBNsOTbr87gwNDfW0G5UBnjrGl3hgYCAtUxEc08ZxRv3OhH6A8+bNm9TAl3uFgHOi/5OQJM0M1N4xJoD/h4+HygZ+O3vW965ggKeuLF68uFi6I39FC2gCvV+aQQlaZ1KvhbNnzxZLkqT7CYM0J9INaap+cwzw1FP8tcLI5gjoqH0qN9nmtmzZ0pg7d25Kw3IZ+VHTxn7mx48fL/aMznvfvn2tfKpGFiPPi7TlR/Wwn31MOfLjH2rsYzmwL7ZTtigT5zl//nwa2R3nrBopzjFLly5N+ylT/tce6Y8cOZL6CsY5Yv+1a9fS/rhmzsv5QqTnnjLFuiRplmhGjlLHYqRRPuUjg65evTq8ZMmSNIooRzpGBTMqCYxUYtvevXvTOsinr6+vlWbz5s1pnTwReUc+rOfpc+W8zp07l9bL5WIEE+UIpGc9jqN8+Tqi7AMDA2nkFOWgTOQf11N1XOQdaY4dO3ZXGspXLiPYxrXH+crp2E5ebGM5ziVJmh2swVNPNL9LaWJkbI6+bkxVeKZh9DmgVqwZsDQ+/vjjtI4dO3ak/nyRZv369Y0bN240Tp06ldYjb2rISMPy9evXK/sxkBfniH2LFi2660XPWLhwYbE04rHHHms0g8HWcY8//nia5+KhlL/5zW9S/8IoE/lv2LAh7as6bteuXemaI82qVatSXwyeWTgWauqo1du2bVvrfPT1YFs8fyn6OfJMJpYpP5+PJGl2MMBTT9HfYCJ9DqoQqOQI5rZv395qXiT4Aa+PmyzyKgdvE0GZ/vrXv6bgkKBt2bJlxZ7u3bx5s3HmzJnW9TExwrjqIZm527dvp/nq1atbx/Ggb1S9ik6SNPsY4GnG4O0dDz74YLE2ghrBqB2MqdMA8tatW8XSxNF/jb5ur776auPLL7/s6K0kY1m5cuVd1zfRASmUpXxsVe2lJGn2McBTV2KUZ97BP8dgAKYqR48ebe1jkAS1VwRSgebZ/fv3t/KOV8NFDVfkPdY5Ao9z4RV3kRfno0mzfGz5HYLffPNNqjl88skn0/pf/vKXNP/uu+/SHJcvXx41R7lcP/30U5rnx0WzagwcIS0BJQMzAk2s0fTKfgZ1EMRRJpp4416wnXsTYvtY722WJNVY869+qSMMXOArFFM+OCDQyZ995cEPMcAhjmVQQj7AAgweYNADaUnDoII8j/x4lscSAxHiXAyMiHUGbyC/nigLgzFIH+dgPdJQFqZYZ0KeT5QrT5NfA2kj/6p7UHX+2M6gjsgzBniE2M7EOSRJs4uvKpMkSaoZm2glSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPknRf+/zzzxtz5sxJE8vTYefOna1z1s3zzz+frou57l8GeJKkGSOCi6qJoCrk608//XTj8OHDaXm6vPXWW42BgYFirV4OHjzY6O/vL9bu4LOpc9CX/6HAFH8s5N/J/Ds40xngSZJmjAguVq5c2RgeHk7T1atXG0uWLClSVFuwYEGxNH0WL15cLNXLvHnzGo8++mixNnMRePUy4Mr/UNi4cWNax+7du9N8cHAwBfa5ixcvNt544400Vfnwww/TvSQ4ZF5VwzyRNJ0wwJMkzRhVwQXbfve73xVrIwj8yj+2mlonTpxI00zx1VdfFUu9s2bNmhTc7dmzp3H+/Pm07f3330/b8u/btWvXUnBJYEfahQsXFnvuIFB75ZVXGgcOHEjf1xUrVjT+7u/+LgWFYSJpOmWAJ0ma0aipoYYufmDHai776aef0o80++fOnZtqR3L8MPOjzD7SkHf8kCPy3rJlS5pifSIoT+QZ4vi8rPm2OEeUlbIsXbo0bSOf8g89++P6mLgWrgkEC7GdvDieZQLm/BqrUJaoRaIs5eAp8sqvDZwzLw/LIS/P8ePH7ypPXnNVVQPGMXEvKFN+Dznuxo0bjbfffrt1Ds6HTu5Rfl3vvvtuqjF+8cUX0zm//vrrVi1euHXrVuNv//ZvU8BLbXOVXbt2pX1RE7hp06ZU5lOnTqV1TCRNx5oRoyRJM0bzB2+Yn6d8GhoaKvYOD//www9p2+DgYLFlOO1nG8eyHxs3bkzbzp07l9bB/uaPd0pz9erVtM4UIu/IJ/KtwvnL+8i7Kr+8rLGNtHFdAwMDw319fanMlIsyl49je56GfFjP0xw+fDgdF+UnXX9//6gylXE8+URZODfr+THkU762uDdx3N69e0etI8rD9eXlIX/So+q4yDvSHDt27K40rOfXjsnco82bN6c07Cvfn7gHpCPNWDi2XA5wnZwjVy7zRNJ0yho8SdKM0/zRTE1WTCznHnnkkWLpblu3bm3tpyYGn3zySZpTs8Pytm3bUhqaftetW5e2RU1ZHPvss8+mZWpWKMNEkWeuqqyx7eWXX27V3NCfj5obaorIY9GiRWl77qOPPkppuC7SkA81Vfv37y9S3OmLGPeBdNR2jWXHjh0pnygL537iiSfSciCf8rU99thjjWYg1Dru8ccfT/NclOc3v/nNqPKQ/4YNG9K+quOo2aIWLdKsWrUq9c08dOhQWm9nMvfol7/8ZUpDzXC56flnP/tZsTSSZyeawWXjgQceKNaqTSRNpwzwJEkzGj++EURMRjkguX37dpqvXr261UxH/ydcuXIlzWcymgXx0EMPtcpP/y+ChG4QEFX1IRsP9/evf/1rCqAI2pYtW1bs6d7NmzcbZ86caV0nE9c5Xt+0XtwjmnMZIU2wTd+7119/fdwm7ip9fX2NS5cuFWvVJpKmUwZ4kqRaimCgXEMyNDTUqh2MqZMAssqDDz7Y6u81VcplZ+pWBEaTQf9B+re9+uqrjS+//DLd117Ka3Fjmuggj/JxTBP1zjvvpMEOBK55f7zJfq7UUtJ/L8TxDz/8cJpjImk6ZYAnSZox+IG7cOFCmtr9oI5VixNNeBzL6EdqSJ577rm0jSCOZj6a/yIPOt3nHexj+0RqVc6ePZvmeTlpaqXmiRofthMEIQ+gqs4R+2Nf5BnnwEsvvZTmdPyP/fv27WudA5cvXx41B2ljqkJtVT5qlDxpts6PqTr+m2++SffzySefTOt/+ctf0vy7775Lc0ykPAyMQX5cNJ0z0AKk5TrzQTMEgEePHk37KDv3rtN7FAhYuRfr169P69RSMoKbGsA333yzlWfgnHxXP/3007v2cQ18F+Ia/vSnP436PmIiaTrWjGolSZoR6LDOT1NMVWIfnf6bP7xpG53v6bDOtnx/3ikfdJ6nw3+kic7/IbYzjdXRnX2RjjIH8qIcbGcegyXy/GKdifIx5duQ34e8HAw2iGtsBgKtgQKoyqddOXMcH+ejzAxCiPUYABDrnDPuKdcW18r+/FrbXVdVefI0kTdIm9/LGHARKCflYX8MqsBk7lH5fLE9yoY8ff5Z5Ntjyo8D6aOMlIl7VDaRNJ2Yw3+amUqSJKkmumqijefXtJuiqpmqUtZ7her0vEqdcuTPxymjSjcvD1jPj+l1GXX/yb/P8TwlqutjG98R0lQ9r6lK1fdOkqTp0HUNHj9ijEKifTqGfoMfQ9rCGV7MgwgxFZWF/OBy7sGKV4i0w48uJnOM6o0/GOgLQafa+OOBxyTQR4aRVHyf+R5b4S1Juh9M2SALAicCPuYEUlOFzo39FS9FHstEf6TzWkLVFzVsdOaN5z4xSouJ5yYtX748beN7fK+DO2oOrQ2UJE3ElAR4edPn/YprIHhU/bV7/hU1wzMFTcaM7JIkaSJ6HuBRwzCR4eUEUNG3iWZWRJ+l2EZe5TRo1w+KGrdIn9d0xLnGQn5xDpZpjuMHPs4d+eb5xPZ82LamTv79YMo/4/y7wlT+IyN//yBTHMtnHQ/npCaYfXEe0P2A5eiTx3I5b7bFlO+r+t7FNqb8Ox3lo1zxvYr9lCcvozXLUy8+o3ZT+Tug3qi6105Os3nqynCX4p1u+cRw5RxDgPNTsc4UGFYcQ4sZYp7nwTLnCDFkOj9HbIvhzuQV54tzx3pgPcpAXqyTT2Bfvh7lyodUU668bJo68T0LVd8Z5ohh8PH5sh5pEd+JEOnj+MC2/PNlPc8XeZooI/nEOZgC2/Jj4xri/DFxfFxT5N2ujJIkVRkd9XQg/1ED8/ECvAjIylPIf/BYLuP4coCX/3CWfxzL5wfr+THkN1aAB9LkgUL5OjV1+Czi8yzjcyh/Fvlnzj6Wy1N8t9oFT2wrn5Nt8b1hnn8fyvIygGtgvTyhqgysG+BJkjrR8yZaBlaM90675o9UmprnHzUFnjbe/FFOy1988UWaT0Y+mreXNm3alDrj05xGU1on7+5TZ/i+tJM31YZ4zQv7mJqB0l3ft25fTTTZ9weO973XzFHVVJJPNtFKmummZJDFeI8e6e/vb3z11VfF2t2iT9vQ0FDqCzfZPm7xgx+jInuFwJHA87333kuPf4lXomjq8Z358ccfi7W7nTx5slgajc+M6fTp08WW3iHAn8xAnPG+95o5ykF4efLxSpJmuil7TMpYXnvttdR5Pa95iUET1I7xY8yzx6hhoeaFtOMFebwHLpAXgVivavLyv9ajFo/zTVVNoe7Gd4ZgPwY7IL4zW7duTTVjsY4DBw60Hs+zdu3aNAI1/w6xnOfVCQL88nnJs913dazv/WRYeyRJGlfzr9GOlfsUlftBIfohxRTK/aLoaxT9jJhYRp6GvPJz5ufLt5MuVJ0/X2d/XhbyQV6W5o942hZIH+XT9Cl/lnn/uPzzYsq/AyBtvj++O+XvIX3qymmZkK9H/nw38u3RJ6/qe4fy+ThX+Xzl9ThXvl+SpLH4LtoOUOtCDaMkSZNFP040/3i7Z839PG6J1qjmH6Xpwe6qn3vSRHs/ownOwRWSpPy5luUpf14ly/k6XTvutYMHD6Z+wWVxTbr/GeBNUPyjZYCFHawlSfwWDAwMpGUaw2LaWDwFop2Z0H973rx5ox62PlMRcPpw984Y4E1Q/MO1KluSFBYvXlws3cFgvFy83/p+QNDKb91Mcfbs2WJJk2WAJ0lSj1DjxGO0IqCj9qncZJvbsmVLY+7cuSkNy2Xkl7++8Pjx48We0Xnv27evlU+7JwTkeZG2/NimaJ5lyjHyn77nkf/SpUtHPQ0gjuF4roFl0vJEgfPnz6f0bKOc+XHgemI/x5BH4JxHjhxJfQXzc+DatWujykTenCtEesoTZWKaVZqRuiRJ6kB5xDxTjHzH1atXh5csWXLXW29Ix1Mb4okMMXp+7969aR3k09fX10qzefPmtE6eiLwjH9bz9LlyXufOnUvr5XLFSP9cfk0cV77GeJoAZYn8BwYGUv7kR7mqjiMt2+Kajx07ltbz8lO+chnBNs7Hucm/nC7KxDaW41yziTV4kiR1qfl7mqZmAFNsGUFfN6YqPBsz3qizZs2aRjNgaXz88cdpHTt27Ej9+SLN+vXrGzdu3GicOnUqrUfe1MqRhuXr169XvqWHvDhH7Fu0aFHlywCqBhE2g6NW33OOK4s+hS+//HIrf5quKStPnKBcVcft2rUrXfOGDRvS+qpVq9LAj0OHDqX1dqipo1Zv27Zt6dzkv27durQtagijTM8++2xaplx8PrOJAZ4kST1CINTpQDwClRwB0vbt21vNizHqday3+rRDXt08AYLm0GhK7ZWbN282zpw507o+JkYYl5txy27fvp3mq1evbh3HQ+Rx5cqVNJcBniRJMwKvPnzwwQeLtRHUCEbtYEydBpC3bt0qliaOPnLLli1LNXD0h+t1LdjKlSvvur6JDkihZrF8bFXt5WxlgCdJUodilGfewT/HYACmKkePHm3tY5AEtVevvvpqWgfNs/v372/lTc1WPlAh8h7rHIHHufDKxsiL89GkWT720qVLxdKIb7/9Ns2fe+651NTJcX19faNGt0Z58mMjmMzLivy4aFaNgSOkYUBE/rpHmlij6ZX9DCAhiKM2kybeyJ/t3JtQVaZZpxnxSpKkSWLAAD+jMeWDAwKd/NlXHvwQAxziWAZK5AMswOABBimQljT5IAbkx7M8lhiIEOdiUEesM3gD+fVEWcrHMRAi1mPARBzDRPmY8m2IY5jiOLBMvmyvugcMzoj95MF6bGcgR+TJMoMpQmxnys83m/iqMkmSpJqxiVaSJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPCkWYr3NwaeAB/vdOSdk4EnyufrkqT7gwGeNMvwSh8COV6LBAK4rVu3pvc4so3XGcWrgtasWZNeUP7oo4+mdUnS/cE3WUizTAR3vFcSvLMxlkFtHu9/zF9ovnPnzvROx927dxdbJEkzmQGeNItEc+tYgRq1dRcuXCjW7mD7gQMH0ou+JUkzm0200ixC8+vatWuLtbtRe3fy5MlibbQVK1Y0Dh06VKxJkmYyAzxplqDvHebPn5/mOZppabr95JNPGv39/a0+eLnly5e3Df4kSTOLAZ40S1y+fDnN8/52gW301hgaGkrrDLqoEgMzJEkzmwGepBb61x0+fLhYkyTdrwzwpFliwYIFaU5z7FhI1+6xKDTfSpJmPgM8aZaI0a9XrlxJ83bWrVtX2UR7+vTpNNBCkjTzdR3gxUNTy0+7Z1u5FiCelp/XIHj87D6eNHm6qV6f7fd748aNd42EJU0+MZCi6lEobB9rBK4kaebwOXjSLEMQlz/oeCIYVcsz8E6cOFFskSTNZDbRSrMMwR196agNnAjeYkGTrcGdJN0/DPCkWSYeiUJfu/FQc8cryqrebCFJmrlsopUkSaoZa/AkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SpHts586djTlz5qTpfvf888+n62Ae4tq4zsmoyqsX6nS/2zHAkyRpHJ9//nkrIGBiHRGAMEXwkqcrT3Fc5Bfrb731VmPjxo1p+X538ODBRn9/f7E24ty5c8XS5FTlVaV8P8fD/R4YGCjW6skAT5I06127di0FaEuXLk2Bwty5cxtbtmwp9jYaTz/9dOPw4cNpmUCMdezevTvNBwcHU9CACGbYNjw8nCa29fX1pe3tLFy4sFi6v82bN6/x6KOPFmsjFi1aVCy1R7BcruGryqtXFi9eXCzVkwGeJGnW++CDDxpHjx5tHDlyJAVkv//97xvbt29vfPjhh0WKRmPNmjUpuNuzZ0/j/Pnzadv777+ftkVwh6pghm0cHwgQOU8Eimo0vvrqq2Jp8ryfdzPAkyTNegRoX3/9deORRx5J6+vXr0/zW7dupXl49913G0uWLGm8+OKLqbaJY6IWrx1qB6kRJB0BSDQntmtSJHiMmkRqryKYDKwTLEYeb7zxRjoH8rwJTsfqwxbnYIpy7Nu3L63n+VH2PE3UdlI2tjM/fvx42tcp8rhx40bj7bffvqtMgXNGWfLa1fyaq46JcpaPy+V5RD4cm69HPtzLuD+B689rfzk2l+9nYjk+V/LiM4xrY96unJPSjHglSVLm8OHDw319fcM//PBDseWOc+fOpX38hF69erXYOhr7ylOO/Nk2NDRUbBkeHhwcTNs2b96c8mVqBpPpXIFtrG/cuDEtUz7WOTZE3pEP+1auXFnsvYNjSUf6wPmqtpFXIK+BgYFWGfv7++/Kn/XyNvLNy1nWbj/5cI1xr+I+5Z9Nu/tZPi4vU+QTuKdca54H2/L7zWdfLifp2bZ37960fuzYsVFlifsc++P7E/vJm3tI/rFevnedsAZPkqQMNStbt25tfPbZZ60avdzPfvazYqnR+Oijj4qluzWDgNRs2Pzhvqv/3YIFC4qlu/3hD39Ifc+Ytm3blmq2omaK87FOTSL7KR+1efv370/7EXn/8pe/TGmonTxx4kTaluPYZiDROH36dFqPGiUGH/z3f/93WmZbM0Bp/PM//3NaB9f1b//2b60yUrM11ZpBT6v59amnnkrzK1eupDmq7ueOHTvSvYnj2t2HqJEENbJ5My/9Irnf1L5yrVXN77t27Uq1uhs2bEjrq1atSgNDDh06lNYD3yfuJ3lcv3591HlYP3XqVCoL56oq52QZ4EmSVOAHmObX//qv/6r8MecHmACIH2GCjtdff70VGLVDYMAPeCd+/vOfF0sjosn4oYceajX30SeQIKwT69atS025XNef//znxu9+97vGr371q9QXkW002dIfkWsIBLh/+tOfWs2/n3zySbFn6jzwwAPF0sQRmE1k4Ar3kqbh5cuXF1sm5+bNm40zZ860Pg8mPo+LFy+m/QTSQ0NDKd0vfvGLu5q0Cda5xzTTUpa8yb0bBniSJDWNF9zhnXfeaaxYsSLVDOX98Xrxg1zl8uXLaZ7XGoKawfLUieeeey4FQtQeEdSxzgRqCwn+XnrppbQOghaumWOihpJawJmq3IeyCjWsXNMrr7wyalDNZHAPyp9HXgtHbR3rBHoEeKtXr24FgATP1C5+//336Z5SBr5n3TLAkyTNegRozzzzTOPAgQOt4I5alryzPDUr1JbFAAx+mKnxorbmzTffbAV5UaN39uzZNK8SgVuVCDIIAP74xz+m4CPKFMEW5YrzUcuWd8qPvMc6R+AaqJEkuCFwZT22/cu//EsKZPNmappFCe6o7aJMNB1fuHAhTVEe5vk64p6MFXARJDGSmeNIz/VHXvm9rLq+qmulhpXPK5q3mXM9Ic+T4CuCPO5nuHTpUppHMBbXFNtBLSi1mFErRxo+j/gcOS+DKsiDQO+FF15I2wM1oZyT+853i0EWPdGMMiVJmtXo2M5PYnmKzvTMY1veAb4qbb4tTxuiUz4TgxUCxzeDjNThPt9PJ/0cnfhJx34668dgCuR5M0VH/rHEAAU6/wcGBLCtfG5wPvZxbsoc9yaulTnrTFX3pF2ZKAd5kobPg2saLy+0u58cn3+u+b2MMjNFudkX2/LrytNUlQcsx+fGPAZUgPsan1fszwexcD/jupkoZ3ye3ZjDf5oZSpIkqSa6aqKlujrvVEg1ZHS6jCmvas63jyfS5+3h5M0kaebi/wP8241mEUnS9OsqwGMU0eDgYFqmD0J0IqTdG0NDQ632btrwqSxk6PB4lYYEd6TLEdhNx0gdSd3h/wP8G88fASBJml5dD7KI17PkrxjZtGlTmn/xxRdpHviL/rXXXivW2iMYJGDMETiunMEjdaTZipr86IAsSZoZejKKlsArHpSIeHjip59+WmwZwUP/8uHWku5v/NHGKDVJ0szSkwCPIcLl/8nTnMpU/ss+H25N/7q8Xx41AZp65f6QeT9H5O/ty/s8Vh0T/TDHSwfyLb/bL/prxVTuY1nu5xlTyPObjqep1x33m8+AiXvK/S1/X+I+89kuW7YsLdOlIj67+Hed/9uPbTHZP6878fm0m8r/jjS2qnvo5DQTpq4wirZbMbQ4hv0yZDmGF5e35fL9zFmPIczlPMHwZCZ1Lu5rDFOPzymUh2+zL7/npGfYeS7yQp4X2+Nc5Mtyvh9sj+9Fnh7lslEO0gf2x7Hw+9Gd/HEC+WfKPY3PvOrfOuvx7zb+HZe3lT+38jkkSb3VkwAP+Y8rPwb8zz3fxv/U43/4ZfE//PxHgTnrBni9xWdTDtBC+YcY5aCLzyVPw3rsy3/c8ymCsDyYK8uPjfwoZ/55R5pAfnFMPqlz5Xuei+8CU/y7jG35v+34nGIbn1OkD/5blqSp1ZMmWsSTnANNsc8++2yrmZb+eHnzLKJ5Dc0fijTX1Co3med+/PHHYumO+fPnp3k8JZzPkCa6aHrlVTYxWpLjmwECEdaoKQbiVImmO/pwNgOCYuuItWvXjmrmJ00zKEjLID1T+XzqrWhGf++99zq6v+XPFXyPeDq9OmMTraTx9CzAe+KJJ9KcPjzxct8YUEEQQLCX40eDl/vyP/+xAgD1Fj+sYwV5fB5V+xcsWFAsjQTzW7duLdbuePjhhxsnT54s1sbHeXgtDME9j9wpI3AkYOzv708/WvTzzN/tx/Z89LamBv3sDh8+POreT1Y+CCvYZ7JzfBblP2zyqZvPSlI99CzAI3CgdoUf4Qjs2MaPMIFcu9GzvNcO5UeqaGpErRi1p4FaNALuCLR5H2EgOOdzzZ9pxrMNCQSpJcg/19ieD5YhiMvPVSVqB8vBGuXij4X8hyvHI3cIEPOAND+3eidqd8caHNHucx4cHEz/X4haX7Be9UeCJKlHmj+aPUP/Kvrb5Kq2BfrgUAQm+v7E8pEjR1rLTPTfydOyrM7lfamYuPe5fF+7e92ur1YzwBt1fHz2+bb8fPnnni/zmfPdifV8anc8U7mvlyYu/zeW/5vNPwfSsI9ltiP2ce+ZYp2J7wPKnyXfQUnS1PFdtJqxqPGh6Z+a4Bw1RTbrS5qN6K6C5h9N9+z/g/w/mJY5GELMXD1ropV6KfrnlbH90qVLxZok3Z8IkvKBMfmUD5KJdIFuMPcageXAwECxdke5rLq3DPA0I1Frd/jw4dYAi5joH1g1IEOS7id5kEQtWEwbi3e5t1Nu0bhXFi9eXCzNXAScs3lEuQGeZiwGbeT/42Py0RqS6qIqSIp3uQcCQf7fdz+YaWU9e/ZssTQ7GeBJkjQDUOPEkwviMTd5M26VLVu2NObOnZv2s1zG8TyOiP3Mjx8/Xuy58yxF5vv27Wvl026kPMcuXbo0pWHav39/sWdEu7LSrYanG0T+5JE/+SCO4XiugWXS0gf7/PnzrXNSzvw45GXiGPIInPPIkSPpqRH5OXDt2rVRZSJvzhUiPeWJMjHdd5rRtiRJmmZVTwqI0ekhnhSQY53R7DEaPUav7927N62DfPr6+lppNm/enNavXr2a1pkvWbKklQ/refoc2/L849hyudqVNa7p3Llzo9YRT14gvzj3wMBAKgv5ca6q48plOnbsWFrPy8+o/6qnPbCN83Fu8i+nizKxjeU41/3GGjxJku6h5m9xmpoBTLHljnhxQBnPAY3nk9KdpRmwND7++OO0jh07dqT+fJFm/fr1jRs3bjROnTqV1ufNm5cmavZIw/L169dHPfM07Nq1K/WH3rBhQ1on7csvv5yWc1VlbQZHrdG+ixYtSvNc9Ckkvzg3TdeUlf7WnKvqOMrENUeZVq1alcp46NChtN4ONXXU6m3bti2dm/zjTVxRQxhl4gUNLFMuPp/7jQGeJEkzAIFQBEOTRaCSI0Davn17q3mR4AdVr6Qcz82bN7t68wzNodGU2iuU6cyZM63rY2KEcbkZt+z27dtpvnr16tZx8cSGePFCXRjgSZJ0n2MA2oMPPlisjaBGMGoHY+o0gKTf2mTRR45XHVIDR3+4XteCrVy58q7rm+hr+qhZLB9bVXt5PzPAkyTpHohRnnkH/7J2z/08evRoK+hikAS1V6+++mpaB82zDISIvKnZygcqcGw+jeWFF15ItWXxukEGYtAEjLzGrFzWb7/9Ns2fe+651NRJOfv6+kaNbo3j82Nv3bqV5nlZkR8XzaoxcIQ0DIjIX4lIE2s0vbKfchPEUZtJE2/kz3buTagq032pGbVKkqRpxIABfoJjygcHhDxNPoCCAQgMAIh9DJTI94PBAwxSIC1p8kEMyI/PBxi0wyAN0pIfy1E28kVVWWMAA9soIwMhYp30iGOYKB9Tvg15WeM4sEy+bK+6BwzOiP3kwXpsZyBH5MkygylCbGfKz3e/8VVlkiRJNWMTrSRJUs0Y4EmSJNWMAZ4kSVLNGOBJmhY8b6oK2+P1SIyA45lZkqTuGOBJmlIEb/EQ0rJyMMcT+XkafjcPVZUkGeBJmmI86JTgLl7/Ewj8ql5txINYeQ2TNXmS1DkDPElThiCNB66WgzvwzsiXXnqpWBuNIO/kyZOtpltJ0uQY4EmaMnv27GmsXbu2WLuDwG/Tpk3FWrUVK1aM++JwSVI1AzxJUyJq3+bPn5/mge3Lly+vrNXLkYZaPEnS5BngSZoSly9fTvNyIEetHIMpJqJqYIYkaXwGeJKmDbV3NNsyqpapv78/bWcgRv6yb0lSdwzwJE2JBQsWpPnFixfTHE8//TRvD29NUUM3NDTUOHHiRFrORQAoSZocAzxJU4JgDleuXEnzyTp9+nQaaCFJmryuAzyaXGhqKT+zim3lh5XSBMP2/C96j/d4j79/jydNnq68ziNSOh0JywCLqhG4kqTxzRmmnUSSpghBYdWDjsfCK8sOHDhQ2WwrSRqfTbSSphTBHX3pqC2ciJ07dza2bt1qcCdJXTDAkzSlqLmjoWDdunXFlvaoubt06VLjwoULxRZJUidsopUkSaoZa/AkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpZgzwJEmSasYAT5IkqWYM8CRJkmrGAE+SJKlmDPAkSZJqxgBPkiSpVhqN/w/wg3JYoClH8gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" width=\"632\" height=\"307\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical Analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStatistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure. Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) was used to compare the mean values of each of the fiber dimensions and derived fiber values along the tree height levels and transversally from pith to sapwood.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results And Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiber length\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ealong tree height and from pith to periphery\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study showed that fiber length ranged from1.29\u0026plusmn;0.14 mm to 1.52\u0026plusmn;0.17mm along with tree height and 1.25\u0026plusmn;0.19 to 1.46\u0026plusmn;0.11 mm from the pith to the periphery of the disks of \u003cem\u003eA.decurence\u003c/em\u003e wood. It varied significantly with tree heights (Fig.2a). However, no significant difference (p\u0026lt;0.05) was obtained while going from pith to the periphery (Fig.2b). Fiber length decreased from the bottom to the top; however, it increased from the pith to the periphery. The general decrease in fiber length from the bottom to the top and its corresponding increase from near the pith to the periphery, which was observed in this study, agrees with the earlier report of Tavares \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2011) on \u003cem\u003eA. melanoxylon\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewood.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean value in fiber length obtained in this study (1.38mm) is higher than the previous report of Tavares \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2011), which ranged from 0.91 mm to 0.97 mm along the tree height and 0.75 mm to 1.06 mm from the pith to the periphery of \u003cem\u003eA. melanoxylon\u003c/em\u003e. Additionally, the result was higher than the report of Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2006), which ranged from 0.63 to 0.66mm. The difference may be due to species, location and age (Jorge \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2000). Moreover, the results were higher than those of other acacia\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003especies, namely \u003cem\u003eAcacia mangium,\u003c/em\u003e which ranged from 0.96 mm to 1.20 mm (Lim and Gan, 2000), and \u003cem\u003eAcacia bilimekii\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(1.016 -1.201mm) (Quintanar Isaias \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2005).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results obtained in this study were higher than pulpwood species such as \u003cem\u003eGmelina arborea\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(1.03mm), \u003cem\u003eLeucaena leucocephala\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(1.01mm) (Onuorah, 2001), and Eucalyptus species (0.67\u0026ndash;1.06 mm) (Dutt and Tyagi, 2011; Ververis \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2004). Since the fiber length obtained \u0026nbsp; is higher than that of other pulpwood species, the studied species is better suited for pulp and paper making. The decreasing trend of fiber length from bottom to top observed in this study could be due to the fact that minimal net photosynthetic activities for cell development at the top are caused by competition for leaf and branch development that may have led to better cell production at the bottom (Mercy \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the increase in fiber length from pith to periphery could be due to an increase in the length of cambial initials with increasing cambial age and crown formation (Jorge \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e2000). Furthermore, this may be due to many molecular and physiological changes that normally occur in the vascular cambium during the aging process (Plomion \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e.,\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e2001). \u0026nbsp;The cells produced in the primary xylem divide less frequently, thus allowing more time for the fusiform initial section to elongate longitudinally and transversely (Horacek \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 1999). Fiber length is an important fiber parameter that affects pulp quality and paper strength (Ek \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2009) and paper sheet formation and uniformity (Paavilainen, 2000). It has also a strong effect on pulp yield, freeness, active alkali consumption, tear index, and bending stiffness (Wimmer \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2002).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiber Width, Lumen Diameter, and Cell Wall Thickness\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariation along Tree Height levels\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result obtained in fiber width, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness along the tree height of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e is presented in Fig 3. Along with the tree height, the fiber width ranged from 38.86 to 40.07\u0026micro;m. Duncan multiple range tests showed that variation in fiber width was insignificant along height levels (p\u0026lt;0.05) (Fig.3) and it decreased from the bottom to the top of the trees. The mean fiber width obtained in this study (39.60\u0026micro;m) was higher than other acacia species previously reported by Santos \u003cem\u003eet al.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(2012) (19.55\u0026micro;m) and Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e.\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(2006) (17.6\u0026micro;m) on \u003cem\u003eAcacia melanoxylon\u003c/em\u003e. The result is also higher than pulpwood species such as \u003cem\u003eE. globulus.\u003c/em\u003e Accordingly, Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2008) observed values ranging from 18.3 to 19.3 \u0026micro;m, and Miranda \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2001) reported 14.5 to 22.2 \u0026micro;m of fiber width.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilar to the fiber length, the decreasing trend of fiber width from base to top observed in this study could be due to the fact that minimal net photosynthetic activities for cell development at the top are caused by competition for leaf and branch development that may have led to better cell production at the base (Mercy \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e lumen diameter ranged from 9.52 \u0026micro;m to 9.80\u0026micro;m along the tree height. A Duncan multiple range test revealed that the variations in lumen diameter along the tree \u0026nbsp;heights were insignificant (p\u0026lt;0.05) (Fig.3). It increased from the bottom to the top of the trees. Lumen diameter has an effect on the pulping process. For instance, a larger lumen diameter gives better pulp beating because of the penetration of liquid into the void spaces of the fibers (Emerhi, 2012).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlong tree heights, \u0026nbsp; cell wall thickness ranged from 1.85 to 2.03 \u0026micro;m\u003cem\u003e.\u003c/em\u003e Cell wall thickness of the three sections of the trees along their height significantly (p\u0026lt;0.05) differed between the bottom, middle, and top (Fig.3). \u0026nbsp;It decreased from bottom to top of tree portions. The result obtained was lower than other pulpwood species. For instance, in \u003cem\u003eE. globulus,\u003c/em\u003e it ranged from 5.4\u0026mu;m to 7.3\u0026mu;m along the tree heights, with a decreasing trend from the bottom to the top (Quilh\u0026oacute; \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2000).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWood with thick cell walls tends to produce paper with a poor printing surface and poor burst strength. Thick-walled cells do not bend easily and do not collapse upon pulping, which inhibits chemical bonding. However, thin-walled cells collapse upon pulping, bond well together chemically, and produce a smoother paper surface (Zobel and van Buijtenen, 1989). Therefore, \u003cem\u003eA. decurence\u003c/em\u003e is better than \u003cem\u003eE. globulus\u003c/em\u003e for pulping in terms of its cell wall thickness.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariation Across from Pith to Periphery\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fiber dimensions of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e wood at different distances from the pith to the bark are presented in Fig. 4. Fiber width ranged from 39.16 \u0026micro;m to 40.10\u0026micro;m from pith to bark. Duncan multiple range tests showed the difference between the fiber width near the pith and near the bark to be insignificant (p\u0026lt;0.05) (Fig.4). The fiber width increased from the pith to the periphery. A similar trend was reported by Izekor and Fuwape (2011) on Teak and Ogunsanwo (2000) on \u003cem\u003eT. scleroxylon\u003c/em\u003e. The reason for this trend was attributed to the influence of cambium age on the development and maturation of fiber from pith to bark (Mercy \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017). \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean lumen diameter of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e ranged from 9.42\u0026micro;m to 9.85\u0026micro;m while going transversally from the pith to the periphery (Fig.4). The lumen diameter at the pith was found to be less than at the periphery, though the difference was insignificant (p\u0026lt;0.05) (Fig.4).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cell wall thickness ranged from 1.84\u0026micro;m to 1.99\u0026micro;m transversally from the pith to the periphery\u003cem\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eThe difference between the cell wall thickness at the middle and near the periphery was found to be insignificant (p\u0026lt;0.05); however, both sections significantly (p\u0026lt;0.05) differed from the near pith on cell-wall thickness (Fig.4). Cell wall thickness increased from near the pith to the periphery of the disk. The increase of cell wall thickness from the pith to the periphery of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewas previously reported by Tavares \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2011) on \u003cem\u003eA. melanoxylon\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewood.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result obtained for the cell wall thickness was lower than \u003cem\u003eAcacia melanoxylon,\u003c/em\u003e which ranged from 3.45 \u0026mu;m to 3.89 \u0026mu;m (Tavares \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. 2011), and Eucalyptus species (3.29 \u0026mu;m to 3.86 \u0026mu;m) (Dutt and Tyagi, 2011) which are mostly used as \u0026nbsp;raw materials for pulp and paper.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;However, similar to the results of Jorge (1994) and Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e.\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(2018), which ranged from 1.8\u0026mu;m to 2.5\u0026mu;m and 2.00\u0026mu;m and 2.40\u0026mu;m respectively. However, the result was less than \u003cem\u003eA. cochliacantha\u003c/em\u003e which increased 5 to 7\u0026mu;m from pith to bark (Quintanar Isaias \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2005). This difference may be due to species, age and growing environment differences in the sample trees, which significantly affect wood fiber properties (Burdon \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2004).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003eTable 1: Analysis of Variance for fiber properties of \u003cem\u003eAcacia decurrence\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:505.8pt;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 106.75pt;border-width: 1pt 1pt 2.25pt;border-style: solid;border-color: rgb(75, 172, 198) rgb(75, 172, 198) white;border-image: initial;background: rgb(75, 172, 198);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 30.9pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003eSource of\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003eVariation\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.8pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: rgb(75, 172, 198);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 30.9pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003edf\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 78.65pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: rgb(75, 172, 198);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 30.9pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003eFiber \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003eLength\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: rgb(75, 172, 198);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 30.9pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eCell Wall Thickness\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: rgb(75, 172, 198);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 30.9pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;Fiber \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003eWidth\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 117.8pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: rgb(75, 172, 198);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 30.9pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:white;\"\u003eLumen Diameter\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 106.75pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003ePosition\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 78.65pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.000\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.004\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.125\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 117.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.69\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp;ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 106.75pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003eSection\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 78.65pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.000\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.021\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.849\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 117.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.418\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 106.75pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003ePosition*Section\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 78.65pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.334\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.385\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.959\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 117.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.629\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 106.75pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 17.45pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003eResidual\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 17.45pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 78.65pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 17.45pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 17.45pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 17.45pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 117.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 17.45pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 106.75pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e54\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 78.65pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.9pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 117.8pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(75, 172, 198);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003e*significant, ns-non significant\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Derived Fiber Values","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the absolute fiber dimensions(fiber length,fiber width,lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness),fiber derived indices such as Runkel Ratio, Slenderness Ratio, wall coverage ratio and Flexibility Coefficient, help derive better judgement about the suitability of wood for pulp and paper making (Ofosu et al., 2020).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariation of derived fiber values along tree height\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on Table-2, the mean values of the Runkle ratio ranged from 0.38\u0026plusmn;0.04 to 0.42\u0026plusmn;0.04. Duncan multiple range tests showed that there is no significant (p\u0026lt;0.05) difference in Runkle ratio between the middle and top tree portions, however, both portions significantly (p\u0026lt;0.05) differed from the bottom portion (Table 2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:115%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003eTable 2: Mean and standard deviation of derived fiber values along the height\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:94.7%;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.6%;border: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: rgb(79, 129, 189);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.3pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003eDerived fiber values \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 14%;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-image: initial;border-left: none;background: rgb(79, 129, 189);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.3pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;N\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 58.4%;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: rgb(79, 129, 189);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.3pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003eSampling height (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.82%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 21.85pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:115%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eBottom (10%) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.8%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 21.85pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:115%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eMiddle (50%) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16.78%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 21.85pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:115%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eTop (90%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.6%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eRunkle ratio \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.82%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e0.42\u0026plusmn;0.04\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.8%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.38\u0026plusmn;0.04\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16.78%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.39\u0026plusmn;0.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.6%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eSlenderness ratio\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.82%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e38.67\u0026plusmn;4.83\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.8%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 33.75\u0026plusmn;7.15\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16.78%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 33.72\u0026plusmn;5.48\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.6%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eFlexibility coefficient \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.82%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e24.31\u0026plusmn;4.02\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.8%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 24.59\u0026plusmn;2.50\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16.78%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 4.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 25.56\u0026plusmn;4.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.6%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eWall coverage ratio \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.82%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e0.10\u0026plusmn;0.01\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 20.8%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.09\u0026plusmn;0.01\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16.78%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 12.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:2.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:150%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.10\u0026plusmn;0.01\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:107%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003eMean of the same row with different superscript are significantly different (p\u0026lt;0.05)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean values of slenderness ratio obtained along tree height levels ranged from 33.75 to 38.67 (Table2). It has higher in bottom (38.67\u0026plusmn;4.83) and minimum at the top portion(33.72\u0026plusmn;5.48). Duncan multiple range tests showed that there was no significant (p\u0026lt;0.05) difference in slenderness ratio between the middle and top tree portions; however, both portions significantly (p\u0026lt; 0.05) differed from the bottom portion (Table 2). The slenderness ratio is related to fibre length and width and influences paper sheet density and increases tearing resistance (Agnihotri \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2010).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean values of the flexibility coefficient along tree height levels of \u003cem\u003eA. decurence\u003c/em\u003e ranged from 24.31\u0026plusmn;4.02 to 24.59\u0026plusmn;2.50 and it increased from the bottom to the top of the tree height. The flexibility coefficient did not differ significantly along tree height (Table 2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean values obtained for the wall coverage ratio along tree height ranged from 0.09\u0026plusmn;0.01 to 0.10\u0026plusmn;0.01. Duncan multiple range tests showed that there was no significant (p\u0026lt;0.05) difference in wall coverage ratio between the portions (Table 2). Wall coverage ratio is an index for bending resistance (Hudson \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 1998) and is related to fiber flexibility (Amidon, 1981). Generally, all derived fiber values decreased from the bottom to the top of tree portions, except for flexibility and wall coverage ratio.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariation of derived fiber values from pith to periphery\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean values of the Runkle ratio ranged from 0.37 to 0.42 transversally from the pith to the periphery of the disk. The Runkle ratio significantly differed between the near-pith and near-bark positions; However, both the near-pith and near-periphery positions showed no significant difference (p\u0026lt;0.05) from \u0026nbsp;the middle (Table 2).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis value agrees with the one previously reported by Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2012), Anjos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2011), and Santos \u003cem\u003eet al.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(2018) on\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;A. melanoxylon\u003c/em\u003e. Furthermore, the values were lower than \u003cem\u003eE. globulus\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewood, which is the most well-known pulpwood, and its Runkle value was 0.56 as reported by Patt \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2006).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Kiaei \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2014), Runkel ratio is a parameter used to determine the suitability of a raw material for pulp. Ona \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2001) reported that runkel ratio was significantly related to pulp yield (positively) and \u0026nbsp;digestibility (negatively). If the Runkle ratio \u0026lt; 1, the fibre is highly appropriate for pulp and paper production; from 1 to 2 is regular; and above 2, it may not be used for paper (Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. 2018). All Runkle ratio values obtained in this study along with tree height and distance from pith were lower than 1 (Tables 1 and2), suggesting a good potential for pulp and paper production.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on table-2, the mean values obtained in slenderness ratio from pith to periphery ranged from (31.51\u0026plusmn;5.44 to 37.83\u0026plusmn;5.66) with an increasing trend from inner to outer wood. The slenderness ratio significantly (p\u0026lt;0.05) varied between the near pith and the near bark; however, both \u0026nbsp;sections showed no significant difference (p\u0026lt;0.05) from the middle one (Table 2). Fiber with more than 33 of slenderness ratio to be appropriate for use as raw material in pulp and paper industry (Sharma et al., 2018; Ofosu et al., 2020). Hence, in terms of its slenderness ratio, \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e was found to be suitable for pulp and paper production since the value obtained is more than the accepted standard (33%), both along tree height and from the pith to periphery of the disk. According to Ogunjobi \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2014a), pulp tear resistance increases with increasing fiber slenderness. This means paper made from \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewould have low tear strength and, therefore, may be suitable for wrapping and packaging purposes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003eTable 3:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;Mean and Standard Deviation of Derived Fiber Values Across Distance From the Pith\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:99.32%;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.54%;border: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: rgb(155, 187, 89);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003eDerived fiber values\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 7.14%;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-image: initial;border-left: none;background: rgb(155, 187, 89);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003eN\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 65.3%;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: rgb(155, 187, 89);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:white;'\u003eDistance from the pith (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.46%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 16.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Near pith (10%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 19.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 16.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Middle (50%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 16.25pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp;Near bark (90%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.54%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eRunkle ratio\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7.14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.46%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.37\u0026plusmn;0.04\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 19.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.40\u0026plusmn;0.06\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 24.1pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;text-indent:24.0pt;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e0.42\u0026plusmn;0.04\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.54%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eSlenderness ratio\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7.14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.46%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e31.51\u0026plusmn; 5.44\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 19.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e36.80\u0026plusmn; 5.98\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e37.83\u0026plusmn; 5.66\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.54%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eFlexibility coefficient\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7.14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.46%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e24.84\u0026plusmn; 3.08\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 19.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e25.25\u0026plusmn; 3.80\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 23.65pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e24.36\u0026plusmn; 3.93\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 27.54%;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 19.35pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003eWall coverage ratio\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7.14%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 19.35pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22.46%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 19.35pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e0.09\u0026plusmn; 0.01\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 19.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 19.35pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.10\u0026plusmn;0.02\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23.4%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(155, 187, 89);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 19.35pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:center;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;'\u003e0.10\u0026plusmn; 0.01\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:107%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003eMean of the same row with different superscript are significantly different (p \u0026lt;0.05).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value obtained for the flexibility index ranged from 24.36 to 25.25 transversally from the pith to the periphery and it was higher at the middle section(25.25\u0026plusmn;3.80) of the disk (Table 2). A Duncan multiple range test showed that there was no significant (p\u0026lt;0.05) difference in flexibility coefficient from near the pith to the periphery of the disk (Table 2). \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall mean value obtained for flexibility coefficient was less than previous work by Santos \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2018) on \u003cem\u003eA.melanoxylon\u003c/em\u003e wood, which was in the ranges of elastic fiber (50-75%). Additionally, the value is less than other known pulpwood. For instance, \u003cem\u003eE. globulus\u003c/em\u003e species (72%) and \u003cem\u003eE. camaldulensis\u003c/em\u003e (70%) (Ona \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Hemmasi \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2011), the flexibility coefficient (FC) can be divided into four classes: high-elastic fibers with FC over 75; elastic fibers with FC between 50 and 75; rigid fibers with FC between 30 and 50; and highly rigid fibers with FC less than 30.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the values of the flexibility index ranged from 50% to 75%, which is suitable to produce good paper with high strength properties (Brindha \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2012). According to this classification, the flexibility coefficient of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e fibers is 24.81, so it belongs to the highly rigid fibers group and does not satisfy the requirement for pulp and paper production.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean values obtained in the wall coverage ratio of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003efrom the pith to the periphery ranged from 0.09 to 0.10, and it was lower \u0026nbsp; near the bark(0.10\u0026plusmn; 0.01). A Duncan multiple range test shows that there was no significant (p\u0026lt;0.05) difference between near-pith and periphery positions (Table 2). According to Nisgoski \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2011), a material with a wall coverage ratio value of less than 0.4 is considered to be good pulpwood. Therefore, \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u003c/em\u003e is suitable for pulp and paper production since the value obtained meets the accepted standard.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cspan style='font-size:16px;line-height:115%;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;'\u003eTable 4: Analysis of Variance for Derived Fiber Values of \u003cem\u003eA.decurence\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:501.25pt;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.1pt;border-width: 1pt 1pt 2.25pt;border-style: solid;border-color: rgb(128, 100, 162) rgb(128, 100, 162) white;border-image: initial;background: rgb(128, 100, 162);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 39.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eSource of\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eVariation\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 33.7pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: rgb(128, 100, 162);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 39.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003edf\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.25pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: rgb(128, 100, 162);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 39.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eRunkle \u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eRatio\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84.75pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: rgb(128, 100, 162);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 39.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eSlenderness\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eRatio\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.75pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: rgb(128, 100, 162);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 39.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eFlexibility\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003ecoefficient \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100.7pt;border-top: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: none;border-bottom: 2.25pt solid white;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: rgb(128, 100, 162);padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 39.5pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:center;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:white;\"\u003eWall coverage ratio\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.1pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003ePosition\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 33.7pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.25pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.591\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84.75pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.01\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.75pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.017*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100.7pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 20.15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.222\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.1pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003eSection\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 33.7pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.25pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.01\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84.75pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.002\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.75pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.785\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100.7pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 15pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.172\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.1pt;border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-left: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-image: initial;border-top: none;background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003ePosition*Section\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 33.7pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 89.25pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.254\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84.75pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0528\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 96.75pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.993\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100.7pt;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);border-right: 1pt solid rgb(128, 100, 162);background: white;padding: 0in 5.4pt;height: 14.2pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:\"Times New Roman\",serif;color:black;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;'\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.703\u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion And Recommendations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fiber characteristics of the wood of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003etrees growing around the Debremarkos area in Ethiopia were investigated to determine the usefulness of this tree as a fiber resource for pulp and paper production. All fiber dimensions\u0026nbsp;decreased from the bottom to the top portion; however, they increased transversally from the pith to the periphery. Derived fiber values increased transversally from the pith to the periphery and decreased from the bottom to the top. \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewith the exception of the flexibility coefficient, met the requirements of derived fiber values for pulp and paper production, and any part of the tree portion may be utilized along tree heights and transversally from pith to periphery.\u0026nbsp;Compared to the wood properties related to pulp and paper quality of other \u003cem\u003eAcacia\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eEucalyptus\u003c/em\u003e species currently used for commercial pulpwood, this species\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eshowed similar properties.\u0026nbsp;Generally, \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ehas good fiber properties (adequate fiber dimensions and its derived fiber values) as a raw material for the pulp and paper industry, except the flexibility coefficient, which was lower than the accepted standard.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eRecommendations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the findings of the study, the following points are recommended:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSince information on the fiber characteristics of \u003cem\u003eA. decurrence\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003egrown in the studied area showed its suitability for pulp and paper production, attention should be given by tree growers, investors, the government, and non-governmental organizations to its expanded plantation in other parts of the country.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn addition to the information on fiber characteristics revealed in this study, production and testing of its pulp and paper\u0026nbsp;should be done to avail comprehensive information regarding its suitability.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSince the studied species grows quickly\u0026nbsp;and adapts to various agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia, the government may consider it a promising and alternative species for pulp and paper production in the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Ethiopia, raw material evaluation and testing of pulp and paper properties are lacking in addition to the country being dependent on the import of pulp and pulp products. Therefore, the government, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and higher learning institutions should give special attention to this area.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors acknowledge all the coordinators, researchers, technical, and supporting staff members (finance, human resources and vehicles administration) of the Forest Products Innovation Center, of the Ethiopian Forest Development, for their overall technical, administrative, and logistical support during the research period. Additionally, thanks go to Amhara Forest Enterprise and local communities for letting us collect the samples for this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003cp\u003eAchamyeleh, K.,(2015). \u003cem\u003eIntegration of Acacia decurrens (JC Wendl.) Willd. into the farming system, its effects on soil fertility and comparative economic advantages in Northwestern Ethiopia\u003c/em\u003e (Doctoral dissertation, Bahir Dar University).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgnihotri, S., Dutt, D. and Tyagi, C.H. (2010). 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Direct effects of wood characteristics on pulp and handsheet properties of Eucalyptus globulus. \u003cem\u003eHolzforschung\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e56\u003c/em\u003e(3), pp.244-252.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYahya, R., Sugiyama, J., Silsia, D. and Gril, J. (2010). Some anatomical features of an Acacia hybrid, A. mangium and A. auriculiformis grown in Indonesia with regard to pulp yield and paper strength. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Tropical Forest Science\u003c/em\u003e, pp.343-351.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZha, C., Fang, Y., Liu, S. and Wang, B., (2005). Radial variation of fiber morphology of different poplar clones. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Anhui Agricultural University\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e32\u003c/em\u003e(2), pp.192-197.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZobel, BJ and Buitjeenen, JP (1989). Wood Variation Its Causes and Control Springer-Verlag. \u003cem\u003eNew York\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Fiber dimension, Derived fiber values, Pulp and Paper","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2336411/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2336411/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe objective of this study was to investigate the fiber properties of \u003cem\u003eAcacia decurrence\u003c/em\u003e as an alternative raw material quality evaluation for pulp and paper production. Trees from an even-aged stand with a similar stem diameter class were selected randomly. Wood discs were cross cut systematically from a log at the bottom (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%) position along the merchantable height, as well as a block of wood (2cmx2cmx2cm), was taken from pith to periphery: at near pith (10%), middle(50%), and near bark (90%) of disk radius. Fiber properties were determined, and their change with tree height and distance from the pith to the bark were evaluated. The fiber length, fiber width, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness were measured while the derived fiber values were computed from the measured fiber dimensions. All the data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance. The results showed that the overall means were 1.37mm, 39.60µm, 9.68µm, 1.93µm, 0.39, 35.38, 24.82, and 0.09 for fiber length, fiber width, lumen diameter, cell wall thickness, Runkle ratio, slenderness ratio, flexibility coefficient, and wall coverage ratio, respectively. A.decurrence was found to fulfill most of the derived fiber values for pulp and paper production, as any part of the tree portion along tree heights and from the pith to the periphery can be utilized for pulp and paper production.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Suitability of Acacia decurrence Fiber Morphology For Pulp and Paper Making","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2022-12-07 17:00:54","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2336411/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"06831d9c-b7d5-4083-a631-069dace5da1d","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 7th, 2022","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":17408077,"name":"Forestry"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2022-12-07T17:00:54+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2022-12-07 17:00:54","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2336411","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2336411","identity":"rs-2336411","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"7rjqhiLT3MXkJMwkYKINL","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}