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Relation of arabinogalactans to density, growth rate and shear strength in wood of cultivated Siberian larch

Beziehung zwischen Arabinogalactanen und der Dichte, der Wuchsleistung und der Scherfestigkeit angebauter sibirischer Schnellwuchslärchen

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Abstract

Present in high concentrations in the heartwood of Larix species, water-soluble arabinogalactans affect the density, moisture content and processing properties of larch wood. The aim of this study was to chart arabinogalactan concentration (AC) and to define the relations between arabinogalactans, and density and shear strength at different axial and radial locations in Larix sibirica Ledeb. trunks. In addition, growth rate (ring width, fibre dimensions) was compared with AC to determine the link between them. Although quite low AC levels were observed, values differed significantly between sapwood and heartwood, with a slight increasing trend from pith to mature heartwood. Variation in growth rate affected AC levels in juvenile wood only. In conclusion, AC levels were clearly lower in the studied cultivated, fast-grown Siberian larches than those measured earlier in trees of natural origin. AC had a weak correlation with growth rate and shear strength.

Zusammenfassung

Wasserlösliche Arabinogalactane, die in hohen Konzentrationen im Kernholz von Lärchen vorhanden sind, haben einen Einfluss auf die Dichte, die Holzfeuchte und die Verarbeitungseigenschaften dieses Holzes. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Arabinogalactankonzentration (AC) zu ermitteln und die Beziehung zwischen Arabinogalactanen und der Dichte sowie der Scherfestigkeit in verschiedenen axialen und radialen Lagen im Stamm von Larix sibirica Ledeb. zu bestimmen. Darüber hinaus wurde die Wuchsleistung (Jahrringbreite, Faserabmessungen) mit der Arabinogalactankonzentration verglichen, um einen möglichen Zusammenhang aufzuzeigen. Trotz relativ niedriger Arabinogalactankonzentrationen unterschieden sich die Werte von Splint- und Kernholz signifikant, wobei eine leichte Zunahme vom Mark hin zum adulten Kernholz festzustellen war. Unterschiedliche Wachstumsgeschwindigkeiten hatten nur einen Einfluss auf die Arabinogalactankonzentration in juvenilem Holz. Zusammenfassend ist zu sagen, dass die Arabinogalactankonzentration der hier untersuchten, angebauten, schnellwachsenden sibirischen Lärchen eindeutig niedriger war als die der früher untersuchten Lärchen aus natürlichen Beständen. Die Arabinogalactankonzentration korrelierte schwach mit der Wuchsleistung und der Scherfestigkeit.

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Acknowledgments

Mr. Samuli Heikkonen is thanked for organising the wood material, and Dr. Stefan Willför for advising in laboratory analysis, and Mr. Hannu Koivunen, Mr. Jarmo Pennala, Ms. Merja Essell, Ms. Maini Mononen, and Ms. Leena Kuusisto for preparing the specimens and measuring the AC and shear strength values.

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  1. School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Box 111, 80101, Joensuu, Finland

    Katri Luostarinen

  2. Joensuu Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Box 68, 80101, Joensuu, Finland

    Henrik Heräjärvi

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  1. Katri Luostarinen
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  2. Henrik Heräjärvi
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Correspondence to Katri Luostarinen.

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Luostarinen, K., Heräjärvi, H. Relation of arabinogalactans to density, growth rate and shear strength in wood of cultivated Siberian larch. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 71, 29–36 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-012-0651-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-012-0651-6

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