Common Mechanism of Lignification of Compression Wood in Conifers and Buxus

Woody plants develop a specialized secondary xylem known as reaction wood to enable formation of an ideal shape. Reaction wood in coniferous species is known as compression wood, and that of woody angiosperms as tension wood. However, the genus Buxus which is classified as an angiosperm, forms compression-wood-like reaction wood. We investigated the mechanism of lignification in coniferous compression wood and Buxus reaction wood: 1) Several lignin synthesis genes were upregulated in differentiating reaction wood of Buxus microphylla;2) B. microphylla possesses a specific laccase gene that is expressed specifically in differentiating reaction wood (BmLac4);3) laccase activity localization was closely related to lignification of reaction wood, and laccase activity was high in the secondary wall middle layer;4) in reaction wood cell walls, galactan was present in the outer portion of the secondary wall middle layer, and the level of xylan was reduced. These findings suggest that lignification in B. microphylla reaction wood is identical to that of coniferous compression wood. These may represent general mechanisms of increasing lignin content in various reaction woods.

Cellulose structure and lignin distribution in normal and compression wood of the Maidenhair tree(Ginkgo biloba L.)

We studied in detail the mean micro fibril angle and the width of cellulose crystals from the pith to the bark of a 15-year-old Maidenhair tree（Ginkgo biloba L.）. The orientation of cellulose micro fibrils with respect to the cell axis and the width and length of cellulose crystallites were determined using Xray diffraction. Raman microscopy was used to compare the lignin distribution in the cell wall of normal/opposite and compression wood, which was found near the pith. Ginkgo biloba showed a relatively large mean micro fibril angle,varying between 19° and 39° in the S2 layer, and the average width of cellulose crystallites was 3.1–3.2 nm. Mild compression wood without any intercellular spaces or helical cavities was observed near the pith. Slit-like bordered pit openings and a heavily lignified S2 L layer con firmed the presence of compression wood. Ginkgo biloba showed typical features present in the juvenile wood of conifers. The micro fibril angle remained large over the 14 annual rings. The entire stem disc,with a diameter of 18 cm, was considered to consist of juvenile wood. The properties of juvenile and compression wood as well as the cellulose orientation and crystalline width indicate that the wood formation of G. biloba is similar to that of modern conifers.

Fixation and Creep of Compressed Wood of Chinese Fir Irradiated with Gamma Rays

In order to discuss the mechanisms of permanent fixation of wood compression set , compressed wood of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) was irradiated by gamma rays from 60 Co. The irradiation doses were 0 (for match specim ens), 10 3, 5×10 3, 10 4, 5×10 4, 10 5, 5×10 5, 10 6, 5×10 6 Gy, res pectively. Then the weight loss, the equilibrium moisture content (EMC), the rec overy of wood compression set after adsorption (RSA) and the recovery after imme rsion in water (RSW), as well as the creep behaviour under a dry specimen condit ion and under an adsorption and subsequent desorption condition were measured an d discussed. This research proves that the doses of gamma irradiation have great effect on weight loss, EMC, RSA, RSW of irradiated compressed wood of Chinese f ir. The weight loss and the EMC increase, the RSA and the RSW fall drastically w hen the irradiation doses exceed 10 6 Gy. Both the instantaneous compliance and the creep compliance of the irradiated specimens under the two measurement cond itions show the general trend of increase with the increase of gamma irradiation doses. It can be deduced that decomposition or decrystallization reactions happ en in the wood cell wall at high gamma irradiation doses, especially at doses of around 5×10 6 Gy. In addition, this research proves that decomposition of mai n components of cell wall of compressed wood will lead to fixation of compressio n set of wood to a certain degree.

Deformation fixation, mechanical properties and chemical analysis of compressed Populus cathayana wood pretreated by glycerin

In order to find an effective and environmentally friendly method to fix compressive deformation of wood, we determined or measured the recovery ratio, surface hardness, modulus of elasticity （MOE） and the modulus of rupture （MOR） of poplar （Populus cathayana Rehd.） samples pretreated by 40-60% glycerin solutions and then compressed at 160℃ for 10-120 min. We analyzed the data statistically by using two-factor analysis of variance. The chemical compositions of thermal treated wood were also analyzed and compared with untreated control samples. The results showed that the compressive deformation of wood can be properly fixed by glycerin pretreatment. The recovery ratio of compressed wood decreased with prolonging compression time and increasing concent-ration of the glycerin solution. However, the mechanical properties of compressed wood decreased after a long time of compression. The optimal fixation of compressive deformation is to pretreat the wood by a solution of 50% glycerin and compression at 160℃ for 60 min. The analysis of chemical composition showed that glycerin displayed an accelerating effect on degradation of hemicelluloses and lignin during heat-treatment, which explains the main reason of the effect of acceleration of glycerin on deformation fixation of compressed wood.

Factors of affecting the spring back of compressed Paulownia wood

in order to increase its hardness and gravity as well as dimension stability, the technology of hotcompressing on P8ulownla wood was studied. The main factors of affecting the spring back of the compressedPaulownis samples were discussed. It was discovered that every factor in the experiment had obvious effects onwood hardness and dimension stability of compressed wood. When the MC (Moisture Content) of experimentalspecimens was 13.89%, it was useful to spray water on the surface of samples before hot pressing. The best reSult was the recovery of compression set could decrease from 90.69O/O of untreated wood to 45.51 % of soakingspecimens into PF (Phenol Formaldehyde) water solution. The hot pressing time was 8 min at 190℃.

Changes of Chemical Composition and Crystalline of Compressed Chinese Fir Wood in Heating Fixation

The changes in relative crystalline, chemical composition and internal structure of compressed Chinese fir wood after different heating fixations were found strictly related to fixation conditions. The compressed wood powders were fixed either by heating at different temperatures all resulting in a 10% recovery, or by incubating at 180 °C for different periods with subsequent recovery levels. Both X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption of those samples have been measured. Relative crystalline increases at early stage of heating fixation, and then decreased gradually. Hemicellulose and lignin decomposition were induced by the fixation process, especially at 180 °C, and lignin was degraded actively. Furthermore, absorbed water was lost after heating, but cellulose did not change markedly. Although different fixation pathways can result in the same recovery level, the major chemical reactions un- derlying them vary, which is consistent with the difference of fixation mechanisms.

An Overview of the Biology of Reaction Wood Formation

Reaction wood possesses altered properties and performs the function of regulating a tree＇s form, but it is a serious defect in wood utility. Trees usually develop reaction wood in response to a gravistimulus. Reaction wood in gymnosperms is referred to as compression wood and develops on the lower side of leaning stems or branches. In arboreal, dicotyledonous angiosperms, however, it is called tension wood and is formed on the upper side of the leaning. Exploring the biology of reaction wood formation is of great value for the understanding of the wood differentiation mechanisms, cambial activity, gravitropism, and the systematics and evolution of plants. After giving an outline of the variety of wood and properties of reaction wood, this review lays emphasis on various stimuli for reaction wood induction and the extensive studies carried out so far on the roles of plant hormones in reaction wood formation. Inconsistent results have been reported for the effects of plant hormones. Both auxin and ethylene regulate the formation of compression wood in gymnosperms. However, the role of ethylene may be indirect as exogenous ethylene cannot induce compression wood formation. Tension wood formation is mainly regulated by auxin and gibberellin. Interactions among hormones and other substances may play important parts in the regulation of reaction wood formation.