Effects of age and height on selected properties of three Malaysian bamboo species

Although bamboo is widely found in Peninsular Malaysia, little research has been conducted on its importance for industrial use. A study was initiated to evaluate the effect of age and height of three common bamboo species namely Bambusa blumeana Schult. 'Buluh duri', Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. 'Buluh minyak' and Gigantochloa scortechinii Gamble 'Buluh semantan' on their anatomical, physical, mechanical and machining properties and durability against borers. All the anatomical properties except radial/tangential ratio of the vascular bundles size, showed no significant relationship with age and height. The fibres of both the Bambusa species were shorter than those of G. scortechinii (ranges of 1.74 - 3.76 mm and 3.50 - 4.24 mm, respectively). The average cell wall thickness of the three bamboo species was in the range of 5 - 7 um. The initial moisture content and oven-dry densities of the bamboos differed significantly with species and maturity but not with height. The moisture content of the samples ranged from 54 - 300 percent in B. vulgaris, 60 - 164 percent in B. blumeana and 67 - 133 percent in G. scortechninii. The densities of the bamboos, however, were in the range of 200 - 630 kg/m*, 360 -690 kg/m* and 380 - 620 kg/m* in B. vulgaris, B. blumeana and G. scortechnii, respectively. The radial and tangential shrinkages decreased with increase in age and culm height. In general, the strength properties of the bamboos increased with age and culm height. Bamboo should be harvested and processed at two years of age with usage limited to the basal and middle portion to ensure good quality products. G. scortechinii, which generally possessed a higher content of starch and total sugars, was observed to be less susceptible to borer attack than both the Bambusa species. This indicated that the durability of bamboo may also be affected by its inherent physical and chemical properties besides its carbohydrate content.