Stele types are key to growth performance of plants
Examination of the effect of stele type in Dalbergia melanoxylon growth was conducted. Examination of stems to observe stele type and tissue water potential of Barreveld Faux, Cupressus sempervirens and Dalbergia melanoxylon was carried between 2nd – 23rd April 2015 at Mkwawa University Laboratories. About 120 stained stem sections were examined for stele type while other 120 stem pieces were incubated in Nacl solution for water potential. Forty (40) stained sections indicated ectophloic siphonostele in Barreveld Faux and C. sempervirens while 40 sections of D. melanoxylon indicated atactostele. Calculated water potential of Barreveld Faux was -0.01158597 bars and that of C. sempervirens was -0.01257201 bars while that of D. melanoxylon was -0.00320463 bars. Results found that, low water potential in D. melanoxylon is a factor for its slow growth rotation and this is due to the atactostele type existing in D. melanoxylon. A hard Blackwood and valued wood in D. melanoxylon is brought by this stele type. In order to initiate rapid growth rotation in D. melanoxylon is recommended to conduct genetic recombination of the D. melanoxylon with other species which have an easily growing wood although this can lower the hardwood quality and value of the D. melanoxylon wood. Copyright © IJPFS, all rights reserved. USA
Mkwawa University College of Education