Radial variation in fiber length of some lesser used wood species in Nigeria

Variations in fibre length of ten lesser used wood species were  investigated. The mean fibre length varied from 1.07mm in Lannea acida to 2.41mm in Sterculia setigera. Four patterns of within tree radial variations in fibre length were observed in the studied species. In pattern one, fibre length increased from the pith to the bark. This was observed in Butyrospermum paradoxum, where fibre length increased from 1.43 mm in the heartwood to 1.45mm in the transition wood and 1.46mm in the sapwood; and in Parinarium kerstingii, where fibre length increased from 1.33mm in the heartwood to 1.40mm in the transition wood and to 1.42 mm in the sapwood. The same pattern of radial variation was also observed in Detarium senegalense where fibre length increased from 0.95mm in the heartwood zone to 0.96 mm in the transition wood and subsequently to 1.19 mm in the sapwood zone. In pattern two, fibre length decreased from the heartwood (pith) to the bark as observed in Isoberlina doka and Annogeissus leiocarpus. Fibre length decreased from 1.52mm in the heartwood of I. doka to 1.40 mm and 1.31 mm in the transition and sapwood of the plant species respectively. Also fibre length decreased from 1.30 mm in the heartwood of A. leiocarpus to 1.27mm and finally to 1.22 mm in the sapwood of A. leiocarpus. In pattern three, fibre length  increased from the heartwood to the transition wood and decreased to the bark. This was observed in Parkia felicoida and Sterculia setigera where fibre length increased from 1.19 mm in the heartwood of P. felicoida to 2.47mm to 1.33mm in the transition wood and decreased to 1.19mm in the sapwood. In Sterculia setigera fibre length increased from 2.47mm in the hearwood to 2.50 mm in the transition wood and decreased to 2.26 mm in the sapwood of the species. In the 4th pattern, fibre length  decreased from 1.49 mm in the heartwood to 0.96 mm in the transition wood followed by an increase to 1.19 mm in the sapwood zone of Mitragyna inermis.KEY WORDS: Radial Variation, Fibre Length, Heartwood, Transition Wood, Sapwoo

The Forest Products Industry in Nigeria

The forest industry in Nigeria is undergoing a difficult period as a result of a multiplicity of factors. This study evaluates the performance of the industry, and results indicated that capacity utilization in the sawmill subsector was 6,994,660m3, 6,031,922m3, 7067145m3 and 3,800,000m3 respectively in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2010. In the veneer and plywood mills, capacity utilization was 72,240m3, 54,600m3, 14,900m3 and 10,250m3 respectively in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2010 respectively while particle board production has also been dwindling in recent years. The total particle board produced in 2010 was only 9,736m3 as against an installed capacity of 45,000m3. In the safety matches subsector, capacity utilization increased from 7,500 in 1988 to 16,200m3 in 1992 and 52,980m3 in 1996. Capacity utilization in the subsector was 11,496 in 2002 and 2010 respectively. Wood treatment subsector also witnessed a decrease in capacity utilization from 52,980m3 in 1996 to 11,496m3 in 2002 and 2010 respectively. There is the need to locally promote industrial clusters, cooperatives and private forestry through policy initiatives in this sector.Key words: Capacity utilization, installed capacity, sawmill, plywood, particleboard, safety matche

Imperatives and Guidelines for Bamboo Development Policy in Nigeria

Nigeria’s industrial policy has always hinged on the development and utilization of its locally available raw materials. The current industrial policy which came into operation in 1988 aimed at increasing private sector participation in the manufacturing sector and accelerated development and utilization of local raw materials by the manufacturing sector. Studies carried out on the wood and wood products sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria showed that total wood available down to 30cm cutting diameter in national forests is approximately 293,775,500m3. When this is juxtaposed with annual requirement estimated at 59,955,000m3 for 2010, extreme wood shortages are expected in the near future. As a result of this, the nation has to develop a substitute or complementary raw material to wood. One of the most recognized substitutes is bamboo. Bamboo has been used as substitute to wood in most applications and new uses are emerging. As Nigeria is blessed with abundant bamboo resources, efforts should be made to develop the nation’s bamboo resource. The imperatives that will lead to sustainable development of bamboo as an industrial raw material in Nigeria are its role in biodiversity conservation, impending wood deficit, bamboos high industrial potentials and its abundant availability in the southern and central parts of the country. To foster bamboo development, there is need for a comprehensive and long term support that only a policy can provide. The goals of such a policy and its approaches and strategies to be adopted must be clearly highlighted in the policy document. The guidelines for the development of such a policy are outlined in this paper.Keywords: Imperatives, bamboo, industrial polic