Authors:Abasolo, W.P
Abstract:The influence of three organic fertilizers viz., chicken manure, cow dung and rice hull ash, applied at 3, 6 and 12 kg/yr for a period of three years on the mechanical properties of plantation-grown Gigantochloa levis Merr. and Dendrocalamus asper Heyne. was evaluated. Culm wall thickness, specific gravity, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and maximum crushing strength (MCS) were determined. The mechanical attributes of the culm were affected by the organic fertilizers as compared to the control or unfertilized sample. Some traits were improved while others were reduced. Variation in the response of the culm to the individual fertilizers was not significant. Similarly, impact of the rate of fertilizer application on culm mechanical traits was minimal. Culm wall thickness was inversely associated to the stiffness of the bamboos while specific gravity was directly proportional to it. Thus, mechanical properties of the bamboo culms were affected by the organic fertilizers however, such influence was only minimal.
Keywords:Gigantochloa levis, Dendrocalamus asper, culm wall thickness, specific gravity, Modulus of elasticity, Modulus of rupture, Maximum crushing strength