Abstract

An arbitrary model depicting the effect of agroforestry practices on wood characteristics is hypothesized. Eucalyptus spp. and Gmelina arborea forming important components of agroforestry systems in Kerala are examined with a perspective to support the paper industry. The fast growth rate of these species results in lack of severe juvenile wood. The harvesting at young age might result in wood supply with moderate density, lower extractive content, relatively less number of kino veins (in eucalyptus), and thinner fibre walls with larger lumen: which are desirable in paper industry. There is also an indication that faster growing trees yield longer fibre without seriously altering the density of wood. The silvicultural management and genetic manipulation would therefore, offer considerable promise for better yield and desirable quality of wood