Manufacture and mechanical properties of binderless boards from kenaf core

Binderless boards were prepared from finely ground powders of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) core under varying manufacturing conditions. This research was designed to investigate their mechanical properties and evaluate the various manufacturing conditions: pressing temperature and time, pressing pressure, board density, board thickness, grain size of raw materials, and addition of furfural. The mechanical properties (i.e., modulus of rupture and elasticity, internal bonding strength) of boards increased with increasing board density and met the requirement for 15 type medium-density fiberboard (MDF) by JIS A 5905-1994. Thickness swelling and water absorption of boards exceeded the maximum permitted levels for 15 type MDF and S20 grade hardboard by JIS A 5905-1994, which indicates the low water-resistant property of binderless boards. In contrast to that in usual wood-based materials, internal bonding strength showed significant correlations with other board properties: modulus of rupture and elasticity, thickness swelling, and water absorption. We confirmed experimentally that the best manufacturing conditions proved to be as follows: pressing temperature 180°C, time 10min; pressing pressure 5.3MPa; board thickness 5mm; board density 1.0g/cm³; average grain size 53µm; and powder with no furfural content.Part of this paper was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002     

A split-root apparatus for examining the effects of hydraulic lift by trees on the water status of neighbouring crops

We describe a split-root system for examining the effects of hydraulic lift by trees on crop growth. In this system, upper lateral tree roots were grown in a container set on the ground through which the taproot of the tree could penetrate into the moist soil below. The container, with a radius of 0.5 m and a height of 0.20 m, consisted of two compartments divided by a waterproof barrier. A markhamia tree (Markhamia lutea (Benth.) Schumann) and upland rice (Oryza sativa (L.)) plants were planted in one compartment, with only rice plants planted in the other compartment. Irrigation of the container was ceased at the start of the experiment. The stomatal conductance of the rice plants in the associated side, in which both trees and rice plants were grown, declined more rapidly during the first drying period than in the rice-only compartment, suggesting that there was competition for water between the tree and the crop plants. However, during the later drying period, the rice plants in the associated side were green and viable, while those in the rice-only side became desiccated. Rice roots were seen intermingling with tree roots, and the soil water content in the associated site tended to be higher than in the rice-only side. It is likely that hydraulic lift occurred in the associated side and that water that had been transferred to the surface roots was released into the soil, enabling the rice plants in this compartment to remain viable. This novel system is useful for examination of the effects of hydraulic lift by trees on the growth of neighbouring crops. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mass propagation method from the cutting of three dipterocarp species

We developed a vegetative propagation system for mass-producing three dipterocarps species,Shorea selanica Bl.,Shorea leprosula Mig., andShorea platyclados Sloot. This system uses fog evaporative cooling inside a greenhouse to reduce the leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit (leaf-to-air VPD) inside the propagator, even under high irradiance conditions. This cooling method has no negative influence on medium conditions such as overwetting. A plastic tent propagator combined with this cooling method was used for vegetative propagation experiments. In mass-production experiments, the annual rooting percentages from the cuttings were low in the first 2 years (1997–1998) due to operational problems of the tent propagator (S. selanica, 48–51%;S. leprosula, 56–59%;S. platyclados: 50–63%). A hard cover propagator improved the rooting percentages in the mass-production experiments in 1999 because it made operations easier (S. selanica, 70%;S. leprosula, 77%;S. platyclados, 77%). This system, which uses a combination of fog evaporative cooling and a hard plastic propagator, should be useful for the mass propagation of these dipterocarp planting stocks. This study was carried out under a joint project of the Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia and Komatsu Ltd. The project was supported by Research Association for Reforestation of Tropical Forest (RETROF) organized by Japanese Forestry Agency.     

Species composition of Modellidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) in a coppice woodland

A continuous sampling of canopy beetles was carried out to determine variations in the abundance, species diversity, richness, and composition of the Mordellidae and Cerambycidae in a coppice woodland. Changes in the abundance and the species richness were monitored at three heights in the forest throughout the season in 1999, using yellow and blue water pan traps. The results showed significant variations in the abundance of Mordellidae among the canopy layers, while little variation was found for Cerambycidae. The abundance, species diversity, and richness were generally greater in summer. The results showed distinct species compositions in both families among layers.     

Chemical structures of the condensed tannins in the fruits of Diospyros species

The structural variety of the condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) in the fruits of 16Diospyros species are reported. Eleven species contained condensed tannins mostly consisting of a mixture of catechin (CA) and gallocatechin (GCA) repeating units; the other five species did not. The GCA content in the CA-GCA total varied from 0.3% to 84.6%. The number of esterified gallic acid per one flavan repeating unit (degree of galloylation, DG) ranged from 0.01 to 0.89. The GCA content was found to be proportional to the DG values. Thus, 16Diospyros species tested may be classified into five groups by the analytical data of their condensed tannins. It may be interesting to compare their structural characteristics with those of the condensed tannins in other fruits, leaves, woods, and barks from the viewpoint of their biosynthesis and function in the plants.Part of this paper was presented at the 46th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1995     

Acorn dispersal and predation patterns of four tree species by wood mice in abandoned cut-over land

We compared patterns of acorn dispersal and predation by wood mice among four tree species (Quercus serrata, Quercus crispula, Castanea crenata, and Juglans mandshurica var. sieboldiana) that are abundant in cool temperate woodlands. We devised an acorn dispersal experiment using 400 magnet-inserted acorns and a magnetic locator in a 1.8-ha study plot, which spanned a cut-over area and an adjacent deciduous forest. Ten wire mesh baskets, each containing 40 acorns (10 acorns per species), were placed on the border between these two habitat types. About 13.0% (n = 52) of the total acorns remained in the baskets, while 77.3% (n = 309) were dispersed throughout the study plot and subsequently retrieved using the magnetic locator. Microhabitat, distance, and burial depth of transported acorns were significantly different among species. In the cut-over area, J. mandshurica var. sieboldiana acorns were dispersed under fallen trees or branches and near stumps, and were buried deeply in the soil. Dispersal distances of J. mandshurica var. sieboldiana acorns were significantly greater than those of Q. serrata acorns. The number and microhabitat of transported acorns significantly differed between habitat types. J. mandshurica var. sieboldiana acorns were dispersed in the cut-over area rather than in the forest. For all four species, the numbers of acorns delivered to fallen trees or branches, stumps, and crumbled soil with overhang under any vegetation type were greater in the cut-over area than in the forest.     

Effect of board density on bending properties and dimensional stabilities of MDF-reinforced corrugated particleboard

We investigated the bending properties of composite boards produced by reinforcing both sides of corrugated particleboard with medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Thickness swelling and linear expansion (LE) were measured to assess the dimensional stabilities of the composite board. Although the apparent density of the composite board was 0.48g/cm³, its strength was found to be equivalent to that of 18-type particleboard as described in JIS A 5908. The boards parallel/perpendicular anisotropy in strength was 0.9. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of the composite board increased with board density only up to a certain density, beyond which the MOR was constant. On the other hand, the thickness swelling of both corrugated particleboard and the composite board was smaller than that of flat-type particleboard, satisfying the JIS A 5908 standard of 12%. Linear expansion (soaking in water of ordinary temperature for 24h) of corrugated particleboard was 0.7%–0.9% in the parallel direction and 2.1%–3.1% in the perpendicular direction; hence, anisotropy in linear expansion existed in the corrugated particleboard. The linear expansion of the composite board was 0.6%–0.9% in the parallel direction and 1.8%–2.5% in the perpendicular direction. Although the LE of the composite board was lower than that of corrugated particleboard, it is necessary to improve the LE of composite board for practical use.     

Effects of chronic acid fog exposure with soil acidification or nitrogen loading on nutrient status in Abies firma seedlings

To clarify the nutrient status in momi fir (Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc.) seedlings under complex stress conditions of acid fog with soil acidification or nitrogen loading, we exposed seedling shoots to simulated acid fog (pH 3) and simultaneously loaded the soil with acid or excess nitrogen for 17 months. Proton and nitrogen loading reduced K concentration in soil, but these treatments had little effect on the nutrient status of fine roots in momi fir seedlings. Acid fog exposure resulted in reduced concentrations of Mg, Al, and Fe in current-year needles and Mg, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn in 1-year-old needles. The complex effects of acid fog exposure with proton or nitrogen loading on nutrient status were relatively slight. However, elements such as Al and Cu notably reflect the effects of proton loading. These results show that the nutrient status of trace elements, rather than major elements, in needles of momi fir seedlings is sensitive to exposure to acid fog or proton loading.