Analyze the Significance of Age and Height on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Ethiopian Giant Timber Bamboo

Abstract

This research aims to examine the properties of culm based on the factors of age and height for structural and industrial purposes. Aged from 1-3 years old of culm and the height was divided into 3 parts which bottom, middle and top. The properties of Giant Timber bamboo in Ethiopia were not investigated so far from the other research work using age and height factors. 3 Samples of the culm are harvested at each age in the Amhara region at Injibara town, Ethiopia and 6 specimens are prepared for each experimental work. New growth of the bamboo shoot has higher internodes length, internodes diameter, and culm thickness than the previous generates of bamboo shoot. Morphological characteristics of the culm are improved when the ages of culm younger. Moisture contents and shrinkage of culm decrease when the age of culm older, and along culm height goes from the bottom to top. However, oven-dry density, cellulose, and lignin contents increase when the age of culm older and along culm height goes from the bottom to top. Whereas hemicelluloses, extractive and ash contents decrease when the age of culm older and along culm height goes from the bottom to top. Higher moisture contents of culm used to easy extraction of fibers without damage, but it has higher shrinkage in the culm. Whereas higher basic density of culm used for structural and furniture making. Celluloses are used for the biofuel and pulp industry. The lignin used as a binder and improve the structural application of the culm. Whereas hemicelluloses are used in the paper industry.