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The effects of age and height on the physical properties of Bambusa vulgaris var. Green in Chagni, Northwest Ethiopia

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of the physical properties of Bambusa vulgaris var. Green on its utilization. A total of nine B. vulgaris var. green culm samples were harvested from three age groups. The results showed that the highest average density (629.45 kg/m3) was found in the age of four at the top culm portion, while the lower (573.35 kg/m3) was at the bottom culm portion of age two. High density at the top portion was due to a large number of vascular bundle distribution and law density at bottom portion was due to a less number of vascular bundle distribution with large size metaxylem vessels in this portion. In this study, considerably higher moisture content was observed at the bottom culm portion of age two (72.37%), but the lowest (39.91%) was at the top of the culm at four years old. The present study unveiled an increasing trend in the basic density of bamboo within an increasing age and basal to the top portion of the bamboo culm. In terms of shrinkage, a decreasing trend was observed from the basal to the top culm portion in both radial and tangential directions. Additionally, decreasing trends in culm diameter, culm solid volume, and number of internodes per culm were found with an increase in the culm’s maturity and the culm’s portions. This circumstance may be due to the silvicultural process or the soil properties of the locality. Moreover, the culm solid volume was higher (912.75 cm3) at the bottom portions of the age two and lower (346.64 cm3) at the top sections of the age four bamboo culms, whereas the length of the internode increased from the bottom towards the middle portion again decreasing at the top portion. In conclusion, younger B. vulgaris culm is ideal for bent items in addition to coating with finishing materials to enhance its durability; because of having low density, longer internode length, and thin culm wall thickness; however, it’s not appropriate for structural and outdoor purposes due to higher moisture content and less dimensional stability.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Technical and Vocational Training Institute (TVTI), Faculty of Civil Technology, and Department of Wood Technology. Technical and Vocational Training Institute for providing financial support for this study. We are thankful the Bahir Dar Environmental Forest and Research Center Office provided us with the sample bamboo culm for this study at the Chagni bamboo plantation trial plot. The help received from all sources is greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wood Technology Management, Faculty of Civil Technology, Technical and Vocational Training Institute (TVTI), P.O. Box 190310, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Getie Silie, Yashwant S. Rawat & Seyoum Kelemwork

  2. Department of Industrial Chemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Rakesh K. Bachheti

  3. Department of Allied Sciences, Graphic Era Hill University (G.E.H.U), Society Area, Clement Town, Dehradun, 248002, India

    Rakesh K. Bachheti

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  1. Getie Silie
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Correspondence to Yashwant S. Rawat.

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Silie, G., Rawat, Y.S., Bachheti, R.K. et al. The effects of age and height on the physical properties of Bambusa vulgaris var. Green in Chagni, Northwest Ethiopia. J Indian Acad Wood Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-024-00339-0

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