Struktur Anatomi dan Kualitas Serat Kayu Jabon Putih (Neolamarckia Cadamba)

Abstract

Jabon is one type of fast growing plant species that is cultivated to meet industrial needs. This study focuses on examining the anatomical properties of jabon wood and fiber quality at the age of 13 years. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of white jabon wood (Neolamarckia cadamba) in its utilization based on its anatomical structure and fiber quality. The anatomical structure includes macroscopic and microscopic features. Microscopic features were observed in microtome and maceration preparations. The microtome procedure follows the Sass method with the hand section technique to produce specimens from the transverse, radial and tangential planes. The maceration procedure refers to the Forest Product Laboratory (FPL) method. The observed macroscopic properties were jabon wood is light yellow, straight grain direction, slightly rough texture, slightly slippery touch and rather hard hardness. Heartwood and sapwood are almost indistinguishable. The results of testing the anatomical properties are pore frequencies ranging from 4-10 per mm2, pore diameters ranging from 123-181 μm, and pore lengths ranging from 143-202 μm. The spoke frequencies ranged from 6-8, the radius ranged from 39 - 56 μm, and the radius ranged from 423-568 μm. Fiber length ranges from 1,260-1,765 μm, fiber diameter ranges from 28-38 μm, lumen diameter ranges from 12-38 μm and fiber wall thickness ranges from 8-12 μm. The assessment of wood pulp raw materials obtained a total score of 175 so that it was classified as quality III fiber. Based on the anatomical properties of Jabon that have been studied, utilization can be directed as alternative raw material for pulp.