Abstract

Physical and strength properties of Dendrocalamus strictus grown in three different localities of Kerala were evaluated. D. strictus from Nilambur, which receives a moderate to good rainfall, exhibited higher internode length and diameter. Locality did not have any significant effect on wall thickness, density and green moisture content. Position of the culm had significant effect on all the physical properties studied except tangential shrinkage. With the increase in height from base to top, diameter and wall thickness decreased. Although, density increased with height, it was not well pronounced. Internode length increased from base to about 50 of the height and then decreased. There was strong negative correlation between density and the green moisture content. Position (either base or 25 of the height of the culm) did not have any significant effect on the strength properties studied, namely fibre stress at limit of proportionality (FSLP), modulus of rupture (MOR)