Studies on Variation in Fibre Morphology in Wavy-grained and Straight Grained Trees of Red Sanders

Wood samples extracted at breast height from 7 wavy-grained and 3 normal grained trees in red sanders were examined for possible variation in fibre morphology from pith to periphery. The data obtained was analysed by an analysis of variance using the mean values and grouping the trees into two groups of wavy and non-wavy, into three groups of highly wavy, medium wavy and non-wavy and finally without any grouping. The mean value of lumen diameter appeared to be larger in the wavy grained trees as compared to that from normal grained trees and difference between the mean values was found to be very highly significant. This is likely to be a useful character for screening the saplings if it is confirmed after an examination of a larger number of trees.