Microstructural Examination of Culm Fibres of Bambusa Vulgaris Schrad. ex. J. C. Wendl.
Abstract
About 35 year old culm of Bambusa vulgaris was examined for microstructure with the aid of
microscope. The culm was prepared and macerated following standard procedures. Eight hundred complete
and reasonably straight fibres were measured for length (mm), diameter (µm), cell wall thickness (µm) and
lumen diameter (µm). Their means were 2.97 ± 0.53, 18.59 ± 5.20, 9.98 ± 3.03 and 4.30 ± 1.12 respectively.
These values were used to derive the flexibility coefficient and slenderness ratio/felting power of the fibres
which were 51.04 ± 9.90 and 148.56 ± 13.30 respectively. Microscope examination revealed that the fibres were
libriform, aseptate, thick-walled and lacked pit. Assertion such as the consideration of the culm of Bambusa
vulgaris as alternative source of raw materials for pulp and paper production was made because the slenderness
ratio of the fibres was more than 33. In conclusion, urgent derivation and analyses of the physical and chemical
properties of the culm were recommended.
