Prediction of Pinus sylvestris clear-wood properties using NIR spectroscopy and biortogonal partial least squares regression

Thirteen wood parameters were predicted using near infrared (NIR) spectra in the range 780-2380 nm modelled by biorthogonal partial least squares regression. The analysis of parameters and NIR measurements was done on clear-wood samples from the base and midstem of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from trees at two sites. Calibrations based oil the measured parameters at seven growth rings (cambial age ranging between 6 and 42 years) could be divided into three groups: (i) the best accuracy was found for longitudinal modulus of elasticity (r &gt; 0.9) followed by bending, compression, and cell length (0.8 &lt; r &lt; 0.9); (ii) microfibril angle, longitudinal hardness, proportion of latewood, and creep with correlations in the range of 0.7-0.8; and (iii) tangential hardness, cell diameter, and cell wall thickness with 0.4 &lt; r &lt; 0.7. It was also shown that juvenile (cambial age : 20 years) and mature wood can be classified using NIR techniques.</p