Variation in fiber morhology of Meranti Kepong (shorea ovalis) from pith to bark / Nik Ahmad Farizan Nik Lah

Fiber morphology of Meranti Kepong (Shorea ovalis) was studied for the different segments of wood from the pith to the bark. The fiber is longer near the bark (1.94 mm) and becoming shorter towards the pith (1.40 mm). Similar trend of greater values near the bark was observed for fiber diameter, lumen width and cell wall thickness. The values for runkle ratio and felting power were greater near the bark but coefficient of suppleness showed greater values near the pith. Thus portions of meranti kepong closer to the bark could lead to more meaningful utilization if on e is looking for longer fiber and greater values of runkle ratio and felting coefficient. If this criteria met the end use for fiber production, then the potential of meranti kepong as an alternative species of timber for wood industries that rely on the usage of fiber as the raw material is something worth given due consideration.