PROPERTIES OF WOOD AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND GROWTH IN TEAK PLANTATIONS

Abstract

In Mexico there is a growing interest in producing high-quality wood from Tectona grandis with a yield that can meet the demands of the international market; this is very relevant, as teak has a high economic value, and its commercialization may bring considerable profits. However, there is still not enough information to achieve this. The present study assessed the anatomical features of basic density, resistance to attack by fungi and edaphoclimatological conditions in two nine-year-old plantations in the states of Veracruz (humid) and Nayarit (dry). There were significant differences in the total fiber and lumen diameter, fiber wall thickness, total diameter, vessel length, and heartwood percentage, according to the origin of the plant; on the other hand, there were no differences in fiber length, width and length of the radii or density. Heartwood resistance to the effect of the fungi is determined by the type of fungus, not by the origin of the plantation. Foliar Ca and K were related to height and DBH, respectively. Soil Ca, pH and CEC (cation exchange capacity) were related to height. Both the heartwood proportion and DBH were higher in timber from Veracruz.