Effect of Vascular Tissue on Mechanical Properties of Fibrovascular Bundles of Salacca Sumatrana Becc. Fronds

Abstract

This study examines the effect of vascular tissues on the mechanical properties of fibrovascular bundle (FVB) of Salaccca sumatrana Becc. fronds. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus have been analyzed for understanding the influence of anatomical and physical properties. The anatomical properties along the transversal direction of FVB were analyzed, including the total transverse area (TTA), vascular tissue area (VTA), and non-vascular tissue area (nVTA). The relationship between the VTA:TTA ratio and mechanical properties has been evaluated via light microscopy and analyzed using an Image-J software. The results show that there is a correlation between the VTA:TTA ratio and density of FVB. The diameter, density, and VTA:TTA ratio show a correlation with the mechanical properties. The mechanical properties degrade with an increase in the diameter and VTA:TTA ratio. In contrast, they are enhanced with an increase in the density of FVB. Based on the result, it was concluded that there were strong correlations of the density and ratio VTA:TTA with the mechanical properties. However, the diameter has a weak correlation with the mechanical properties.

Keywords

• salacca
• fibrovascular bundles
• frond
• vascular tissue
• mechanical properties