SELECTED WOOD PROPERTIES OF TWO LESSER KNOWN AND LESSER UTILIZED INDIGENOUS AGROFORESTRY SPECIES FROM KILOSA DISTRICT, TANZANIA ISAAC KAYUMBA A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FOREST PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2015 ii ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine basic density, fibre length and some strength properties of Lonchocarpus capassa and Combretum zeyheri suitable for growing under agroforestry systems in Kilosa district. A total of three 13 year old trees from each species were sampled in Rudewa Gongoni village for the study. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and height of each tree were measured. The trees were then felled and cut into logs. Each log was cross cut into three 1.5 m billets representing the butt, middle and the top. The billets were sawn into small scantlings from which small specimens for determination of selected properties were taken. Standard methods were employed in determining the selected properties of the two species. Basic density was determined using water displacement method while fibre length was measured using a microprojector. Strength properties were determined using a Monsanto Tensiometer wood-testing machine. Results showed that basic density of L. capassa and C. zeyheri was 569.3 and 580 kgm-3 respectively. The basic density of the two species did not differ significantly (p<0.05). The mean fibre length of L. capassa was 1.38 mm and was significantly (p<0.0001) longer than that of C. zeyheri which was 1.2 mm. Results further showed that there was highly significant (p<0.0001) difference in modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus rupture (MOR), shear, compressive and cleavage strength between the two species. MOE, MOR, compression and cleavage strength values of L. capassa are similar to those of Pterocarpus angolensis and Juniperus procera. Hence, L. capassa can be used in furniture especially in the place of the well known species whereas basing on its density, MOE and MOR, C. zeyheri can be used for construction purposes. Further research on hardness, impact bending strength, natural durability and treatability with preservatives, finishing and working properties of these two species is recommended. iii DECLARATION I, Isaac Kayumba, do hereby declare to the Senate of Sokoine University of Agriculture that this dissertation is my own original work done within the period of registration and that it has neither been submitted nor concurrently being submitted for the award of a degree in any other institution. Isaac Kayumba Date (MSc. Candidate) The above declaration is confirmed by Prof. S. Iddi Date (Supervisor) Dr. S. Augustino Date (Co - Supervisor) iv COPYRIGHT No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the author or Sokoine University of Agriculture in that behalf. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am so grateful to the Almighty God, my creator, comforter and anchor whose love, mercy, grace and peace have been with me in my entire life, especially during my studies. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) for financing my MSc. studies. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) Programme on Enhancing Pro-poor Innovation in Natural Resources and Agricultural Value Chains (EPINAV) through its project for partial support to my field work in Kilosa district. My special thanks should also go to my supervisors, Prof. S. Iddi and Dr. S. Augustino of the Department of Wood Utilization for their invaluable continuous and tireless guidance, constructive criticisms, valuable comments and their care during my research work. Also, I am thankful to the entire Department of Wood Utilization and its staff, through the excellent leadership of Prof. F.B.S. Makonda for their encouragement and support that enabled me to finish my studies successfully at SUA. I also thank Mr. D.H. Kitojo sincerely, a retired Chief Technologist who formely worked in the Department of Wood Utilization for his technical assistance during sampling and laboratory work. I also owe my thanks to all academic staff in the Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation through whose hands I went during my studies. I wish to express my thanks to all others who in one way or another made this study successful. Lastly, I wish to acknowledge my parents, brother, sisters and friends for the moral and material support and their patience during my studies. May God bless you abundantly. vi DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my grandmother, Mrs. Isabelle Nyirakanyanja, my parents Mr. Busana Adrien Ntezirizaza and Mrs. Léocadie Uwimana, my beloved wife Julie Tuyishime, my brothers and sisters and my other relatives who tirelessly laid down the foundation of my studies with a lot of encouragement. May God bless them abundantly. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... ii DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ iii COPYRIGHT ..................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ v DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. x LIST OF APPENDICES .................................................................................................. xiii CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background Information ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Problem Statement and Justification ............................................................................... 2 1.3 Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.3.1 Main objective ........................................................................................................ 4 1.3.2 Specific objectives .................................................................................................. 4 1.3.3 Research questions ................................................................................................. 4 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 5 2.1 Lesser Known and Lesser Utilized Timber Species ........................................................ 5 2.1.1 General information on lesser known and lesser utilized species .......................... 5 2.1.2 Indigenous agroforestry species ............................................................................. 8 2.1.2.1 L. capassa ................................................................................................... 9 2.1.2.2 C. zeyheri .................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Wood Properties ............................................................................................................ 12 2.2.1 Wood density ........................................................................................................ 12 viii 2.2.2 Fibre length .......................................................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Strength properties ............................................................................................... 15 2.2.3.1 Static bending ........................................................................................... 16 2.2.3.2 Compression parallel to the grain ............................................................. 17 2.2.3.3 Shear parallel to the grain ......................................................................... 17 2.2.3.4 Cleavage ................................................................................................... 17 2.2.4 Relationship between basic density and strength properties ................................ 18 2.2.5 Factors affecting strength properties .................................................................... 18 2.2.5.1 Natural characteristics related to wood structure ..................................... 18 2.2.5.2 Effects of manufacturing and use environments ...................................... 19 2.2.5.3 Other factors ............................................................................................. 20 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 23 3.0 METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 23 3.1 Study Area Description ................................................................................................. 23 3.2 Methods ......................................................................................................................... 25 3.2.1 Sampling ............................................................................................................... 25 3.2.2 Sawing and preparation of test specimens ........................................................... 26 3.2.3 Determination of wood properties ........................................................................ 28 3.2.3.1 Wood basic density .................................................................................. 28 3.2.3.2 Fibre length measurement ........................................................................ 29 3.2.3.3 Strength properties determination ............................................................ 30 3.2.3.4 Relationship between basic density and wood strength and between strength and fibre length ............................................................................ 35 3.2.4 Data analysis ........................................................................................................ 35 CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................. 36 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .................................................................................. 36 4.1 Wood Basic Density ...................................................................................................... 36 ix 4.2 Fibre Length .................................................................................................................. 41 4.3 Strength Properties ........................................................................................................ 42 4.3.1 Static bending ....................................................................................................... 42 4.3.1.1 Modulus of elasticity ................................................................................ 42 4.3.1.2 Modulus of rupture ................................................................................... 43 4.3.2 Shear parallel to the grain ..................................................................................... 44 4.3.3 Compression parallel to the grain ......................................................................... 45 4.3.4 Cleavage strength ................................................................................................. 47 4.3.5 Inter-relationship between wood properties ......................................................... 48 4.3.5.1 Relationship between basic density and fibre length ............................... 48 4.3.5.2 Relatioship between basic density and strength properties ...................... 49 4.3.6 Relationship between fiber length and strength properties .................................. 55 4.3.7 Relationship among strength properties ............................................................... 56 4.3.8 Overall wood properties of L. capassa and C. zeyheri ......................................... 58 CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................... 60 5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................... 60 5.1 Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 60 5.2 Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 61 5.2.1 Potential uses of L. capassa and C. zeyheri ......................................................... 61 5.2.2 Further research on L. capassa and C. zeyheri ..................................................... 61 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 62 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................... 75 x LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Measurements taken on sampled trees of C. zeyheri and L. capassa ................... 26 Table 2: Dimensions of test specimen for wood properties ................................................ 28 Table 3: Comparison of mean values of basic densities for L. capassa and C. zeyheri and some well known timber species of Tanzania ............................................... 41 Table 4: Comparison of fibre length values for L. capassa and C. zeyheri with some well known timber species ........................................................................................... 42 Table 5: Comparison of MOE for L. capassa and C. zeyheri with some well known timber species ....................................................................................................... 43 Table 6: Comparison of MOR for L. capassa, C. zeyheri with some well known timber species .................................................................................................................. 44 Table 7: Comparison of shear strength values for C. zeyheri, L. capassa with some well known timber species ........................................................................................... 45 Table 8: Comparison of compressive strength values for C. zeyheri, L. capassa with some well known timber species .......................................................................... 46 Table 9: Comparison of cleavage strength values for C. zeyheri, L. capassa with some well known timber species ................................................................................... 48 Table 10: Relationship between fibre length and strength properties for L. capassa and C. zeyheri .............................................................................................................. 56 Table 11: Comparison of wood properties for L. capassa, C. zeyheri and some well known timber species ........................................................................................... 59