Resumen

MEDINA, Andrea A. et al. Radial and axial variation of fiber and vessel element length in Nothofagus nervosa (Nothofagaceae) of Patagonia Argentina. Madera bosques [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.2, pp.7-19. ISSN 2448-7597.

The goal of this paper was to characterize fibers and vessel elements in the wood of Nothofagus nervosa (Phil.) Dim. et Mil., Nothofagaceae, (raulí), determining the variation of their lengths in the tree in radial and axial orientations and evaluating their variability between trees. Four trees with DBH (diameter at breast height) above 40 cm were used from Quilanlahue site, Neuquén, Argentina, from which sections were removed at three different heights. The north radius of each section was used and microscopic preparations and macerations were produced every ten years from pith to bark. The characteristics of fibers and vessel elements were described. The length of both cells was significantly greater in radial orientation from pith to bark. In axial orientation the length of the fiber is variable, while the length of vessel elements does not show significant changes. The greatest source of variation was observed in the tree related to the different ages at which wood was formed. A diminishing in the variation coefficient was observed for the length of fibers and vascular elements from twenty years of age of the tree. Variability among trees was not significant.

Palabras llave : Wood anatomy; wood quality; tree age; Neuquén; wood variability.