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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Comparative characterisation of physical and chemical properties of eight fast-growing plantation tree species

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.16571
Submitted
6 July 2026
Published
22-09-2026 — Updated on 30-09-2026
Versions

Abstract

Plantation-grown tree species are increasingly important sources of raw material for value-added wood products, creating a need for comparative characterisation of their wood properties. The present study characterised the physical and chemical properties of eight fast-growing tree species at the Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu, during 2025. The investigated species were Acacia × hybrida Lodd. ex Benth., Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb., Erythrina indica Lam., Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.Juss., Melia dubia Cav., Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, Sterculia alata Roxb. and Toona ciliata M.Roem. One representative tree was sampled per species and three analytical sub replications were obtained from each tree. Moisture content, bulk density, basic density, specific gravity, ash content, hot-water solubility, sodium hydroxide solubility, alcohol-benzene extractives, holocellulose and lignin were determined using standard methods. Significant differences among the sampled representative trees were observed for all measured properties. Khaya senegalensis recorded the highest basic density (568.41 kg m-3), specific gravity (0.55) and lignin content (28.63 %), whereas M. dubia recorded the highest holocellulose content (73.22 %). Erythrina indica had the highest bulk density (366.69 kg m-3) and ash content (5.57 %). Pearson correlation analysis showed positive associations of bulk density with holocellulose and alcohol–benzene extractives and a negative association of holocellulose with lignin. Principal component analysis explained 75.17 % of the total variation in the first 3 components. The results provide a preliminary comparative baseline for the sampled representative trees and support further evaluation of these plantation resources for industrial wood utilisation.

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