Comparison Study of Leucaena Species as Potential Material for Pulp and Bioenergy

Comparison of Leucaena species

Abstract

Pulp, paper and energy consumption across the globe has increased tremendously. It is necessary to meet future demand by evaluating and identifying an alternative source of raw material for these industries. In this context, this paper describes the growth attributes and wood physico-chemical variability of five different species of Leucaena viz. Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Leucaena collinsii, Leucaena lanceolata and Leucaena shanonii. In each of the species, the growth, biomass, wood fibre morphology, cellulose, holocellulose, total lignin, alcohol-benzene extractives, hot water solubility, NaOH solubility and fuelwood characters such as basic density, moisture, ash content, fixed carbon, volatile matter, and calorific value has been characterized. Our results revealed better pulpwood properties of L. leucocephala, while L. collinsii had better attributes of being fuelwood. However, the latter had comparable levels of lingo-cellulosic properties with L. leucocephala, suggesting a new source of raw material for pulp and bioenergy. Further, it could be used as a donor parent for inter-specific hybridization to produce superior hybrids for the utilization of wood-based industries. Finally, L. collinsii could be used as alternative species for minimizing the demand of pulp and bioenergy requirements.