FIBRE CHARACTERISTICS OF GIGANTOCHLOA LEWS AND DENDROCALAMUS ASPER AS INFLUENCED BY ORGANIC FERTILIZERS.

The influence of chicken manure, cow dung and rice bull ash applied at different rates for a period of three years on the fibre characteristics of Gigantochloa levis and Dendrocalamus asper was evaluated. When changes in soil composition brought about by organic fertilizer treatments were correlated to the individual fibre cbaracteristics, there was a significant relationsbip. Fibre wall thickness of both species was positively influenced by pH while nitrogen only affected the fibre diameter of D. asper. Phosphorus increased the fibre length of G. levis and the fibre wall thickness of D. asper. Potassium positively affected the fibre diameter of G. levis but negatively influenced the fibre wall thickness of I), asper. Finally, organic matter significantly increased fibre diameter of both species. In order to control the quality of bamboo fibres for a desired end-use of the material it is crucial to observe the soil composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]