Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Year:2016 | Volume:23 | Issue:SUPPLEMENT 2|Papers Count:20

Background and objectives: One of the main problems in Zagros forests is oak trees dieback. What is certain and important is that the tree dieback crisis caused the declining of oak in Zagros forest. Oak decline is characterized by crown thinning, foliar necrosis and progressive death of primary leaf-bearing branches and the emergence and subsequent decline of foliage. The condition of tree crowns is an important indicator of tree and forest health. A range of biotic and abiotic factors has been shown to contribute to the decline. However, no satisfactory investigation has been established to explain the distribution.Materials and methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial variability of Oak decline and it’s relation to tree properties in Zagros Forest of Kermanshah (Gahvareh). In this order, 70 hectares of Gahvareh forest were selected and then 67 sample plots (400 m2) were used in a 100 × 100 m sampling grid. In each of the plots the number of healthy trees and their canopy cover, the dieback and trees with dieback features including diameter, height, crown diameter, average canopy cover, and the number search trees were recorded. Then the spatial continuity, using was described geostatistics (variogram).Results: The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient indicates that dieback has a significant positive relationship with the feature tree dieback including diameter, height, crown diameter, canopy cover is a significant and positive relationship between the number of sprouts. As well as between the dieback and features healthy tree such as the number of trees and average canopy cover and there is a significant negative relationship variogram of variables revealed thepresence of spatial autocorrelation except for the number of shoots have the spatial structure.Conclusion: Overall analysis of the spatial structure of healthy and dead tree dieback and features showed that the structural component of the variance components of random variance prevails. The variables studied occurred in a relatively large area, indicating the spatial structure of large, uniform distribution and continuity in the desired location in variable amounts. The similarity in the effect of dieback and features trees with dieback (collar diameter, height, crown diameter, average level of cover and canopy cover) and also a significant positive correlation between them, represents the close spatial relationship between the dieback and trees have been dieback features. Given the significant negative correlation between the dieback and characteristics of healthy trees (number of trees and average level of cover), it can be stated that the spatial variability characteristics of healthy trees, the dieback effects as photos.

Background and objectives: Aims and background: Regeneration success in the most plant species, especially oaks, depends on the acorn distribution and their establishment on proper location for germination and producing vigorous seedling.The most important process that related the spatial patterns of seeding plants to the next generation is seed dispersal. Due to lack of information on acorns distribution in different locations of coppice oak forest in the fragmented middle Zagros, this research aimed to investigate Persian oak acorns distribution pattern in fragmented coppice stands and in different distances from sprouts sprout-clumps and also determining the relation between acorn distribution location (interior and edge of sprout-clumpss, deforested matrix around sprout-clumpss, and abandoned field) and susceptibility to diseases.Material and methods: The study area located on Kakareza forest catchment, 45 km far from the north east of Khoramabad. The Persian oak is the dominant tree species in this forest. In order to sample dispersed acorns, a 1, 000-m transect was drawn at the boundary zone between the forests and the abandoned field and 40 perpendicular lines with random lengths, spaced 25 m from each other on this transect were extended. The acorns were sampled at plots of interior, edge and deforested matrix around the nearest patch to the end of perpendicular lines. The acorns also were sampled at the end of perpendicular lines in the plots ofabandoned field. The collected acorns were classified to three categories (viable, aborted, and Infested by fungi). The infested acorns by fungi were sent to the laboratory to reconnaissance fungi taxa.Results: Results and conclusion: Based on the results nearly 85% of collected acorns in forest area were viable. Laboratory results showed that, the most important fungi species that infested acorns, belong to the Penicilium, Rhizopus, Alternaria, and Trichoderma genera. Although, no significant differences were seen in the weight, length, and diameter of acorns in the interior, edge and deforested matrix around sprout-clumpss locations, but there were significant differences in aborted and viable acorns in the three locations. The interior and the edge of sprout-clumpss comprise more acorns and viable acorns than the matrix around sprout-clumpss There was no significant difference in infested acorns in the above mentioned locations. The interior and the edge of sprout-clumpss comprise more acorns and viable acorns than the matrix around sprout-clumpss There was no significant difference in infested acorns in the above mentioned locations.Conclusion: These results reveal that forest fragmentation, has major effects of the presence and the pattern of acorn dispersers and consumer's distribution and resulted to limitation of dispersers’ activity. Therefore, acorns were trans located to the distances from sprout sprout-clumpss Due to reduction in the dispersers’ population size and activity, distribution of heavy acorns of the Persian oak near the sprout sprout-clumpss is expected. It is concluded that the anthropogenic disturbances that lead to deterioration of forest oak ecosystems is the most effective factor on acorn dispersion and the probability of successful regeneration decrease with the distance from sprout-clumpss owning to reduction in viable acorns.

Background and Objectives: Plant morphological characteristics are affected by environmental factors in various extents. Investigation of leaf and fruit variations of a plant species is a practical tool to provenance differentiation and biodiversity management of populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological variability of leaves and fruits of different populations of Celtis caucasica in southern Zagros forests using a multivariate analysis approach.Materials and Methods: In this study, 39 mother trees from four natural populations of hackberry located in Fars and Kohgilooye and Boyerahmad provinces consist of Tange Tamoradi (altitude of 1542 meters above sea level), Abshare Yasouj (altitude of 1900 m above sea level), Dashte Argan (altitude of 2000 m above sea level) and Tange Kare (altitude of 2120 m above sea level) was selected. In early November, the amount of 10 leaves and 15 fruits per ramet were collected from the outer and the middle part of the crown, and 25 morphological traits were measured, and the data were analyzed using multivariate analysis.Results: The results of analysis variance showed that except for traits of width at 0.9 length of base of leaf, the length of serration, the number of serration at right and left side of leaf, the number of serration in 2 cm of base of the leaf, and multiplication of dry weight on the leaf area, traits of studied populations were significantly different from each other in terms of other traits. The principal component analysis showed that the first five components have allocated 76.51% of the variances that in the formation of the first component, traits of leaf length, maximum width of leaf, and surface of leaf showed the highest importance.Considering the second component, the angle between major and minor nervure, leaf tip angle, number of serration at the left and right side of leaf and relative length of the petiole showed the highest importance compared with other traits. Investigation of the studies tree bases on according to discriminate analysis showed that the four populations have been separated by traits of leaf width in 0.1 of length of the leaf base, sinusoidal leaf angle, petiole length, and width of fruit.Conclusion: In general, traits of angle between the major and minor nervure and width of fruit can be used as distinguishing traits in making distinction in separation of C. caucasica species from each other due to their lower formability under environmental conditions In addition, in the area of Tange Tamoradi, C. caucasica species was less affected by environmental conditions due to minimal formability of traits, showing its adaptability in this area. The opposite of this issue is true in the Abshare Yasouj area and C. caucasica species is adapting itself with this area.

Background and objectives: In The past years the lack of accurate understanding of exist resource and use of uncontrol and illegal led to many valuable natural resources are being destroyed completely abolished or placed in such a way that exploitation, They are consistently unavailable, so that stable use of them is impossible. Undoubtedly, natural forest reserves in Khuzestan province, which is one of the valuable natural resources of the country are also not being spared. One of the major tree species in these forests was destroyed critically endangered species is Shisham (Dalbegia sisso). The purpose of this study, investigation and evaluation of regeneration and seeds germination in Dalbegia sisso stand.Materials and methods: In order to investigate the natural regeneration of Dalbergia sisso reservery, the natural regeneration in 30 micro plots (3*3 m) was investigated randomly. So the qualitative and quantitative properties of seedling were measured and investigated respectively. Furthermore, in order to investigate the condition of seed germination of Shisham trees, the seeds were collected from the mature trees and from the ground floor, as wet seeds and dry seeds respectively, and sent to Khazar laboratory of seed. The physical properties of seeds such as germination capacity, viability percent and suitable treatments for seeds germination were determined in the laboratory. For comparison of different treatments, the ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test were used.Results: The results showed that the highest rate of natural regeneration on the floor height, less than 25 cm and a height of than 100 cm is the lowest in class. The study of natural regeneration in Shisam natural reserves showed the regeneration in reservery was only the root sucker. Shishama qualitative study showed that the highest percentage of natural regeneration of trees in floor height of less than 25 cm and the lowest percentage in more than 100 cm height classes respectively.Seed test results indicated that if the seeds are sown in cold water immediately and without treatment, after three weeks with an important loss of viability 7 percent.Moreover, if the dry seeds are sown in cold water immediately and without treatment, after three weeks of treatment, lowest viability and eight days in the cold water would be the highest viability.Conclusion: The quantitive and qualitative investigation of natural regeneration showed that the maximum of qualitative percent were seen in height class of below 25 and the minimum of qualitative percent were seen in height class of above 100 cm. The results of seeds germination tests and viability showed that seeds Shishman cold water without treatment with the lowest percentage of seed viability (5%) and the treatment of cold water for 8 days had the highest viability (39%).

Background and objectives: Logging is one of the critical operations in forest management that causes damage to remaining trees in forest. Reducing frequency and intensity of damages during logging operation is one of the main goals in section cutting forests. The aim of this study was the analysis of effective factors on damage during logging of each tree in Nav forests.Materials and methods: From the total of selected trees to cut in the two parcels of the Nav forests, the number of 83 trees (22.7%) were randomly selected and damages to remaining trees were individual-level analyzed during felling, winching and skidding operation.Results: Results indicated average 13.3 damaged residual trees per each harvested tree, which 3 trees were damaged at felling stage, 8.9 trees were damaged at winching stage, and 1.4 trees were damaged at skidding stage. Diameter at breast height (DBH) of felled trees were from 25 to 107 with average 68.4 cm, and their heights were from 12.5 to 27.3 m with average 21 m, and damaged trees were increased by increasing of DBH and height of harvested trees. Winching distances were from 3 to 47 m with average 24.5 m, and winching angles were 0 to 47 degree with the average 19.1 degree, and damaged trees increased by increasing the distance and angle of winching. Damaged trees were increased by increasing of the number of skidd-trail curves and by decreasing of skid-trail radius. Damaged trees due to felling of trees on suitable directions, and winching of the on suitable routes were lower 42.4 and 17.1 percent than unsuitable directions and routes, respectively. The DBH of wounded and destroyed trees at felling stage (63.5 and 34.6 cm, respectively) was more than their averages at winching and skidding stages. Average size of bole wounds was 327.1 cm2, average depth of bole wound was 20.1 mm, and average height of bole wounds from ground level was 0.86 m.The averages of the bole-wound sizes and the bole-wound height from ground level were higher at felling stage, the average bole-wound depths at the winching stage were higher than other stages.Conclusion: The results reveled that appropriate management of selection cutting forests needs to develop of sciences and techniques of logging operation.Implementation of tree directional felling, and limiting of winching operation to areas without standing trees, regeneration and ground slopes less than 50 percent are necessary for reducing logging damages to residual trees in these forests.

Background and objectives: Wood farming is one of the strategies of the national development programs to improve exploitation system of natural resources.Stumpage price model is one of the primary tools for performing optimal management (Spacing and optimal age) and estimating profitability of wood farming.Material and methods: Stumpage price is significantly influenced by tree merchantable volume. Therefore, merchantable volume models (determination of volume to a minimum diameter) were used to determine the stand volume. For this purpose, Rimere model, Hart-Beking model and Kozak model were selected. Then, Poplar Stumpage Price and affecting factors were evaluated by a field survey (questionnaire) of the farmers in the study area. Finally, Stumpage price was modeled using hedonic price approach.Results: The Poplar stands’ volume was determined by Riemer model in the study area. Residual mean square error of the model was 0.034 m3. Average stand diameter and relative volume were identified as the factors affecting the Poplars Stumpage Price. Finally, Stumpage price was modeled using a linear-hyperbolic function and by hedonic price approach with 87% coefficient of determination And 6.2 percentage error.Conclusion: Poplar wood has different use in different diameters. In this way, the wood price is different in commercial diameter or industrial diameters. In this study, by using the Riemer volume model, commercial and industrial volumes can be estimated. On the other hand, using stumpage price model, the average price per ton of wood can be estimated with the stand mean diameter.

Background and objectives: Roads induce some of the most pervasive anthropogenic alterations in watershed and source o run off. In mountain area road network despite lower surface to the total surface has an impact the watershed hydrology. The aim of the current research is the comparison of Chehel-chay Watershed roads with rural road standards and runoff calculate of these roads.Materials and methods: The existing road network map was created on 1: 25, 000 scale (NCC), using satellite image and mapping by GPS using Arc GIS10.1. The technical characteristics roads i.e. traveled way, width, cut and shoulder width, cut and slop, road lengths slop and ditch were recorded and compared with rural road standards using One-sample T- Test in SPSS. Then, the profile of roads in current and standard situation was created using Civil 3D and the run off these roads calculated using length and width oo roads, run off coefficient and precipitation per m3 for existing roads per km in the year.Results: Length and density of the road network in the study area are 337.07 km and 13.12mha-1, respectively. The results show that length slope and cut slop in high class>6 meters of asphalt roads, in gravel roads cut and shoulder width, lengths slop and cut slop in high class>6 meters and in dirt roads lengths slop and cut slop in high class>6 meters are significant different with standards. The results indicate that 43.06%, 39.02%, 33.42% pre m3/km in the year the run off of existing asphalt, gravel and dirt roads, respectively more than standard situation.Conclusion: The different between roads in existing and standard situation, whether explain just by statistics cannot realize the expert with failing to comply of standards. The difference between existing and standard situation showed that at the time of manufacture can reduce side effects caused by the construction of roads. In this research the runoff in existing situation about 39% more than standards for total roads. Estimation the run off of roads is effective criteria in order to distinguish of destructive effects of roads without consider to standards, is the main finding of current research.

Background and objectives: These days with the development of natural sciences, the importance of biodiversity is revealed in different fields and the objectives of forest management are focused on biodiversity. So that nowadays conservation of biodiversity is considered as an important issue in sustainable forest management. The importance of northern forests of Iran in aspect of conservation of genetic resources, and some plant species that are unique to this region is common clear fo all and And its vital role in many aspects such as economic, social, environmental balance, ecosystems stabilization and conservation has attracted the manager attention at regional and local levels. One of the most important problems of that forests is destruction caused by natural and anthropogenic factors in recent decades, has faced them with a crisis situation. Lately, Buxus blight is encountered as an important problem in the northern forests. According to the importance of Buxus Hyrcana in aspect of biodiversity, forest managers are trying to identify factors affecting on Buxus blight and its spatial patterns. This study aims to identify spatial distribution of Buxus blight and its relationship to primary and secondry topography characteristic and som environmental factors using terrain analysis and GIS.Materials and methods: The main goal of this study is an investigation on spatial distribution of the bux blight in relation to primary and secondary topography characteristics and distance from river and roads using terrain analysis and GIS. A 200×500 meters random systematic sampling network with 0.1 ha sample area was designed in GIS and applied on Khiboos & Anjilsi Forest protected area. The locations of diseased trees were registered using GPS in each sample and was imported to GIS. The digital elevation model (DEM) of the study area was generated using the interpolating of contour lines from 1: 25000 topography map and the primary and secondary topography characteristics and distance from river and roads were produced using terrain analysis and GIS. The digital values of location of eachbox blight tree were extracted from digital maps. The impact of selected factors on the tree crown dieback was assessed using relative effect (RE) method and principal component analysis (PCA).Results: The results showed that the north aspect, 400-600 meter mean sea level altitude, the 30-40 percent slop, the 0-50 meters distance from rivers, the 300-400 meters distance from roads, the shaded relief of 0.8-1, solar radiation of 0-250 and wetness of 17.5-20, were more effective on the Buxus Blight. The results of PCA analysis also showed that four factors of Aspect shaded relief wetness and distance from river with attending on four axes and 72 percent variances have been effective on Buxus Blight.Conclusion: According to the results of this research, it can be stated that damages caused by boxwood blight are heavily affected by some environmental factors such as light and humidity and landform factors because of receving of the different amount of light and humidity have an important role in severity of that disease.

Background and objectives: In most cases, the goal of silvicultural practices is to increase diameter and height of the trees. In turn, any change in growth rate and growth pattern of trees may result in wood variation. On the other hand, the technical properties of wood and items made from the wood are strongly depended to the wood anatomical characteristics particularly fibers length. In this paper the effect of growth rate of poplar trees was studied on the wood fibers biometry.Materials and methods: Young Poplar trees (Populus nigra) were selected from a trial cultivation near Karaj city, Iran. Fifteen 10-year old trees were cut and a disc with 20 mm thick was taken at breast height from each tree, then selected discs were transferred to the laboratory. The cut trees were classified into the 3 classes based on the growth rate: slow growing, moderate growing, and fast growing, with 5 trees in each class. Thereafter, diameter growth, circumference growth, and fiber biometric parameters were measured for each separated annual ring. The results were analyzed using different statistical methods and the correlation between different items and their variation was evaluated from pith to bark. The relationships between different parameters were studied in the annual rings with same cambial age in order to eliminate possible effects of age.Results: In young poplar trees, correlations were insignificant between fiber dimensions and growth rate in most of the rings. However, there were some positive and significant correlations between growth rate and fiber length. Thecorrelation coefficients between circumference growth and fiber length were higher than those obtained between diameter growth and fiber length. Despite the insignificant effect of growth rate on fiber biometry, whole-disk fiber dimensions which were weighted based on the growth area of each ring increased as measured by stem diameter. In fast-growing trees, distant rings from the pith have higher shares in the disc than slower growing trees. Since these rings have longer fibers compared with the rings closer to the pith, the average length of fibers in fastgrowing trees becomes higher.Conclusion: The circumference growth is a better proxy than diameter growth for the study of relationships between the growth rate and the fibers biometry.Unexpectedly, the correlation between growth rate and fiber length not only was not negative but also was positive in some of the rings. Whole disc weighted fiber dimensions increased as the tree diameter increased, which shows that increase in growth rate of young poplar trees has no decreasing effect on fiber dimensions. It looks that result obtained here with young poplar trees is extensible for all the silvicultural practices that may affect the growth rate.

Background and objectives: Improvement of polymeric materials properties, in terms of flammability resistance and thermal stability has always been interested in the scientific and industrial sectors. Polylactic acid (PLA) is alsoflammable like other polymers to its own intrinsic chemical composition and molecular structure.The use of nanoscale fillers can play a useful role in improving the thermal stability andflame retardancy of PLA. This research was designed to investigate the effect of cellulose nanocrystal and nanoclay on thermal properties and fire behavior of PLA films.Materials and methods: PLA and PLA-based nanocomposite films were fabricated using a solvent casting method. In order to improve the compatibility and miscibility of the whole system with respect to PLA matrix, cellulose nanocrystal was treated with oleic acid. Firstly, the PLA was dissolved in 100 mL of chloroform while mixing vigorously at room temperature. Then, the cellulose nanocrystal and nanoclay with different loads (0 and 3 wt %) were dispersed in chloroform solvent by sonication for 30 min. The nanoparticles suspension was mixed with the PLA solution by sonicator for achievement of dispersion homogeneity. Finally, the dissolved solution was poured onto a leveled Teflon film and then allowed to evaporate solvent. The resultant film was peeled from the casting surface, and then the samples were dried in an oven. For evaluating the thermal and fire properties of films, melting temperature, crystallization temperature, degree of crystallinity, heat released rate, time to ignition, mass loss rate and limiting oxygen index were measured. To meet this objective, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cone calorimetry were used.Results: DSC results found that with incorporation of nanoparticles, the melting temperature, crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity increased. Cone calorimetry test revealed that, the presence of cellulose nanocrystal in the polymermatrix decreased the mass loss rate and heat release rate compared to those of pure PLA. However, the time to ignition increased with the increase of cellulose nanocrystal loading. Moreover, the formation of carbonaceous chars from nanoclay on the surface of the films which reduces the burning process and delay the thermal degradation. Furthermore, the reduction of limiting oxygen index with the presence of both nanofillers is attributed to protect the underlying composites by formation of a char shield on the surface and the limitation of polymer chains mobility.Conclusion: The findings showed that the usage of each cellulose nanocrystal and nanoclay individually, has an effective role in improving the thermal and fire properties of PLA films. Furthermore, it was found that the highest thermal stability was attained by incorporating 3% cellulose nanocrystal and 3% nanoclay in composite formulation. This knowledge has an important role to design the new generation of environment-friendly flame retardant and biodegradable polymer nanocomposites.

Background and aims: With respect to the special advantages of lignocellulosic materials, substitution of mineral reinforcement agents (fiber glass, asbestos and etc.) by organic-based fibers such as sisal, cellulosic fibers can be performed.However, using these natural fibers has some defects which could decrease curing and hardening speed of gypsum due to dissolution water-soluble extractives of fiber, while wood material's shortages in country, cheapness and abundance of lignocellulosic resources during the seasons of the year are some reasons of using agricultural waste. Hence, in this research the possibility of gypsum-bonded fiberboard production from bagasse, kenaf and synthetic fiber (fiber glass) was investigated.Materials and methods: Any of bagasse fiber and kenaf fiber at three levels of 0, 7.5 and 15% (based on the dry weight of panels) and fiber glass at three levels of 0, 3 and 6% as effective variables on the physical and mechanical properties of gypsum-bonded fiberboard manufactured with gypsum to inorganic or organic fibers ratio of 1: 2.75 and nominal density of 1.10g/cm3 were evaluated. Production methods of panels was semi-dry process. At first, water containing citric acid (99.50% water+0.5% acid) was sprayed on the dry fibers. After agitating fibers in the laboratory blender for 5min, gypsum was added to fibers and mixed together in the blender with high circuit speed again. Then, admixture poured into the wood mould with a dimension of 30×30 cm and pressed under cold press with pressureof 3MPa for 48 hours. After discharging, panels were treated at the fresh air condition for 5 days in order to climatization. Then, panels set in oven dryer with temperature of 50oC for 5 hours in order to complete hardening and reach to maximum strength. Drying the panels continued to 5-7% humidity. After ending manufacture process, physical and mechanical properties of panels tested and result was analyzed by response surface methodology based on second order polynomial regression model. Finding: results showed that there is a good conformity between predicted and estimated values, so with increasing bagasse and kenaf fibers MOR and IB increased.Results: Results of determination of hydration temperature and time of gypsum paste test showed that with increasing extractives of lignocellulosic materials temperature and hardening time of complex decreased and increased, respectively.

Background and aim: Elder pine is one of the species that planted in city parks, garden and forests region of Tehran and another city of Iran. The aim of study was accomplished on identification and comparison of organic compounds in wood and bark of elder pine.Materials and methods: In this study, three trees of elder pine were randomly cut down in planted forest region of Tehran city. Then three disks were separated from each tree. Initially, wood flour and extractive content were measured by TAPPI standards. Then extractives were separated from wood flour by acetone and extractives residue transferred to glassy vial and was added BSTFA reactor to it.The samples kept in Ben Marry Bath in 70oC for an hour, and they were injected by GC/MS for analyze. Identification of compounds was done by retention time of each compound, calculation of quartz index and Adams table.Results: The results of this study showed that the average of extractives in wood and bark of planted elder pine tree were 3.6 and 17 percent, respectively. The result of GC-MS showed that, specified 56 compounds were found in wood of eldar pine.The 1-Phenanthrerecarboxylic acid (31.77%), Rosin acids (27.12%), Pimaric acid (2.61%), Gamma-Sitosterol (1.01%) andα-Pinene (0.09%) were more Components. Also, 43 compounds were found in bark of eldar pine that Octadecanoic acid (15.87%), Rosin acids (1.7%), Gamma-Sitosterol (5.6%), Abietic acid (0.78%), and Tetradecan (2.91%) were important components.Conclusion: There were Phenanthrenecarboxylic acid, Rosin acids, Gama-Sitosterol, Decanoic acid, Dodecan and Tetradecan as 11 common compounds in wood and bark of planted elder pine tree, and these compounds are very important in durability and its consumption.

Background and objectives: In the era of growing globalization competitiveness has been considered as a major issue among policy-makers at different levels, so, the purposes of this study were determining and ranking of the effective indices on competitiveness of Iran’s corrugated box making industries by an analytical hierarchy process.Materials and Methods: This study from the point of aim was descriptive-survey. Implementation process was combination and results were applied. For this purpose, reviewing and investigating of researches carried out by others and interviewing with a number of specialists, the questionnaire including 4 mainfactors and 26 sub-factors is designed and distributed between active corporations. The importance degree of criteria and alternatives after getting expert’s opinions and applying analytical hierarchy process are determined. Questionnaire reliability was measured by Cronbach's alpha test. Considering the fact that the research variables have been formed from several dimensions (factors), in order to assess the validity, the confirmatory factor analysis has been used.Results: The results in Expert choice software showed that material and product factor (0.59 relative weights), Human being factor (0.185), technical factor (0.140) and economic factor (0.07) had the highest to the lowest impact on competitiveness of corrugated box making industries in Iran respectively. Ranking of the materials and products sub-factors showed that the variety of materials and sustainability management has the most and least importance respectively. Prioritizing of the effective sub-factors of human being indicated that skill improvement and personals have highest and lowest importance respectively. The sub-factors ofapplying innovation and modern and high technology has the most and least importance respectively. Ranking of the economic sub-factors showed that branding and economic stability has the most and least importance respectively. Among the effective sub- factors, the variety of products (0.154), quality of products (0.143) and economic stability and lower cost- price had the most and least importance respectively.Conclusions: The ranking results showed that the factors had the most utility from the consumers and suppliers of materials and products, in competitiveness have been the most important for the coruugated box making industry. Analysis of the attitudes of quality with the competitive patterns, reveal important aspects of relationship between different attitudes of the quality of materials and products and the company's success. In explaining these results, it can be noted that only quality can create sustainable success in a way that balanced the benefits and costs to meet customer and organization profitability in a competitive environment. Furthermore, various branches of wood and paper industry to enhance its competitiveness require to have to use of new technologies and take advantage of new machinery and modern production.

Background and objectives: Yew (Taxus baccata) is one of the most valuable and rare native coniferous in Iran. Surviving remnants of third geological era that unfortunately it has been subjected to extinction due to the climate change and the excessive grazing. Regarding its valuable wood and lack of data toward the site impact on the tree growth, activities of cambium layer and procedure of an increase the number of mature cells were investigated.Materials and methods: Three regions of Golestan province (Afratakhteh, Chahar-bagh and Ponearam) were selected which among them Afratakhteh had the highest temperature.6 normal trees with upright trunks of each region and almost the same diameters for explanting were studied. Sampling was done from March to early November 2014, with two weeks interval. Micro-cores were examined under a light microscope after sectioning and staining. Then average number of cells in the cambium region and mature tracheids were counted. Climate data (precipitation and monthly temperature) were recorded for the meteorological stations near study area.Results: The results indicated that cambium activity was began two weeks earlier in Afratakhteh than others in early May and finished in late October at the same time in all sites. Cambium cells enumeration also showed that peak activity occurred in mid-June with 10 cells number. However, cambium activity started sooner in the warmer region (Afratakhteh) and cambium cells number was morethan other areas in early growth season. But, there were no differences in final mature tracheids among 3 sites in late growth season.Conclusion: It can be concluded that higher temperature in Afratakhteh has a positive effect on growth, in early growing season, but in the mid-summer, reduces cambium cells number and thus growth rate. This issue can create a negative impression on Afratakhteh Yew trees in near future, as air humidity decreases and become warmer.

Background and objectives: It can be enhanced stress transmitting in adhesives using different fibers. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential of epoxy resin reinforcing using cellulosic and lignocellulosic nanofibers and compare their performance in improving of epoxy adhesives characteristics.Materials and methods: In this study, after applying the solvent exchange for better distribution of nanoparticles in the epoxy resin matrix, the nanoparticles at three levels 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 percent by weight epoxy resin was added to the matrix.Then, the prepared mixture is poured into film molds with a thickness of 4 mm and cured after 72 hours. Finally, mechanical and physical properties of nanocomposite were measured.Results: The results showed that by increasing the nanofibers percentage to 0.2%, the mechanical properties improved. But from 0.2 to 0.3% these features are reduced. Also, with increasing the amount of nanofibers the physical properties decreased.Conclusion: It was revealed that using small amounts of nanofibers (0.2%), the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite increased approximately 2-times.

Background and aims: The aim of this research is provided a combination of urea-formaldehyde adhesive and black liquor and its properties were reinforced with lignocellulose Nano fiber to use in particle boards manufacturing.Method and materials: In this study, the ratio of black liquor to ureaformaldehyde adhesive was as 0: 100, 10: 90, 30: 70, and 50: 50 percent, respectively. Press temperature was used at two levels of 180, and 200oC and lignocellulose Nano fiber at two levels 0 and 2 percent based on oven dried weight of urea-formaldehyde adhesive.Results: Mechanical and physical properties (modulus of rupture, internal bonding, water absorption and thickness swelling after 2 and 24h soaking in water) of the produced boards were measured. The results showed that increasing black liquor resulted in decreasing the mechanical and physical properties boards. The results also indicated that mechanical and physical properties improved with increased press temperature and lignocellulose Nano fiber percent.Conclusions: The results show that increasing black liquor decreasing the mechanical and physical properties. As well, press temperature and lignocellulose Nano fiber percent improved the mechanical and physical properties.