Cellular Structure of Stems and Fronds of 14 and 25 Year-Old Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the most important commercial crops in Malaysia. It has been cultivated in Malaysia mainly for palm oil and related products. The mature trees are felled at the end of its economic life (25 years). The stem which is rich in lignocellulosic material is an abundant supply for wood-based industry. However, oil palm which is a monocotyledoneous species behaves unlike ordinary wood. Therefore, this study aimed to i) analyse the detail cellular structure of oil palm stem and frond; ii) evaluate the fibre morphology oil palm at different age groups and height levels; and iii) analyse the structure of the oil palm stem, and its relation to its physical properties. In this study, 3 trees each of 14 and 25 year-old oil palm were selected. The samples were obtained from FELDA Keratong, Pahang. Three discs of 15 cm thick were taken from bottom, middle and top levels of each stem. Smaller block samples were taken from outer, middle and inner zone of each disc. Different sizes of blocks were prepared for microscopic structure study, fibre morphology test, determination of number of vascular bundles, moisture content test and density test. Frond samples were also taken from bottom, middle and level of oil palm crown for microscopic structure study.

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