Abstract
The total thickness of cell wall as well as its component layers was determined in eleven coniferous species viz, Abies pindrow Royle, Cedrus deodara (Rox. ex. Lamb), Cupressus arizonica Endl, C.. funebris Endl, C.sempervirens, L.C. toru!osa D.Don. Picea Smithiana (wall). Boiss. Pinus hrdepensis Miller, P. roxburgii Sargent, P. wallichiana A.B.Jackson and Thuja orientaiis L. The thickness of the secondary wall varied between 4.69 ± 0.41p.m in A. pindrow to 2.56 + 0.19ktm in C. arizonica.
The amounts of oc (alpha) cellulose and holocellulose in the cell walls were determined from extractive free wood. The correlation coefficients between thickness of cell wall and its component layers were correlated with holocellulose and alpha-cellulose contents of cell walls. It was found that compound middle lamella (CML) was weakly correlated with holocellulose and alphacellulose. SI (outer layer of the secondary wall) was positively correlated with holocellulose. S2 (middle layer of secondary wall) was negatively correlated with holocellulose while positively correlated with alphacellulose. S3 (inner layer of the secondary wall) was strongly correlated with alphacellulose. S. (secondary wall) was uncorrelated with holocellulose but significantly correlated with alphacellulose.
