Microfibril angle prediction of Pinus taeda wood samples based on tangential face NIR spectra

The use of calibrated near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for predicting the microfibril angle (MFA) of Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) wood samples is described. NIR spectra were collected from the tangential face of early-wood (EW) and latewood (LW) sections cut from eleven P. taeda radial strips. The MFA of these sections was measured using X-ray diffraction. Calibrations for MFA were determined using all samples combined, EW only and LW only. Relationships were good, with coefficients of determination (R-2) ranging from 0.86 (EW) to 0.91 (LW). A calibration for MFA based on NIR spectra collected from sections of 8 strips was used to predict the MFA of sections from the remaining 3 strips. Prediction statistics were strong (R-P(2) = 0.81, SEP = 5.2 degrees, RPDP = 2.23) however errors were greater than those reported previously for studies based on NIR spectra collected from the radial-longitudinal face. The results presented in this study demonstrate that it is possible to use tangential face NIR spectra to determine MFA variation for EW and LW within individual growth rings.