Variabilidad de características de las fibras de gmelina arborea (Verbenaceae) en plantaciones de nueve años (Portuguesa, Venezuela)

Longitudinal and transverse variability of fibers features (length, outer and inner diameter) of Gmelina arborea were studied on six individuals randomly collected from Smurfit-Kappa Carton de Venezuela plantations at State Portuguesa. These were measured at five height levels (base, 2 m, 4 m, 6 m, 8 m) and three radial zones (next-to-pith, ½ cross-section radius length, close-to-cambium). High variations were found in each case; a linear regression equation was set for each variable; R2 values higher than 0,90. Fibers length increased from the next-to-pith zone towards the cambial zone and decreased along tree height. Outer and inner diameters decreased with height and proximity to cambium.