Fibre and Elemental Contents of Thaumatococcus daniellii Stalk and its Implications as a Non-Wood Fibre Source
Sotannde O.A., Oluwadare A.O.

Abstract
The fibre and elemental content of Thaumatococcus daniellii stalk was evaluated to assess its potential as a Non- Wood Fibre Source (NWFS). The stalks were harvested under cocoa plantations within a 10mx10m plot from three locations in the south-western part of Nigeria. Each plot was subdivided into two for Early Harvest Stalks (EHS) and Late Harvest Stalks (LHS). The EHS with characteristic green and glossy leaves were classified as young stalks and LHS with emerged flower and fruits as mature stalks. Both were analyzed for crude fibre, ash, silica, lignin, holocellulose, alpha-cellulose, hemicellulose and mineral contents. Site variations had significant effect on the fibre and elemental contents of the stalk (p < 0.05). In contrast little variation was observed with maturity stage. The stalk could be classified as NWFS based on its high crude fibre (33.36%), holocellulose (66.80%), -cellulose (39.0%) and hemicellulose (27.81%) contents and low ash (2.79%), silica (0.85%), lignin (13.03%) and elemental accumulations. Except lignin and ash, the fibre contents are strongly correlated with one another (p < 0.01) but nutrient elements did not. Among the nutrient elements, only nitrogen, potassium and iron showed significant correlations with crude fibre and cellulose contents. It is therefore concluded that nitrogen, potassium and iron are the main elements contributing to the physiological development and fibre quality of T. daniellii stalk. Thus nitrogen and potassium based fertilizer is suggested for T. daniellii production to obtain high fibre quality.

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