Rapid estimation of wood density and total extractives of two important Dalbergia species using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and multivariate analysis

Wood density and chemical extractives are important parameters influencing timber quality and utility in wood industry. Several wood properties, particularly mechanical parameters and durability, depend respectively on density and extractive contents. This study aimed to apply the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique for rapid and accurate estimation of density and extractive contents of Dalbergia latifolia and D. sissoo wood species. The objective was to develop a predictive model for properties, addressing the critical gap in efficient and large-scale assessment techniques for wood industries. Density and extractive contents were determined by conventional and wet chemistry methods. Spectral data of woods were subjected to multivariate analysis to improve the accuracy of calibration models and performance was assessed using coefficient of determination (R²) and root mean square error of prediction. The optimised models exhibited good predictive accuracy with high R²of 0.85 and 0.82 for density and extractive contents respectively. Spectral patterns correlating density and extractive variations identified provided valuable insights into the chemical composition and density relationship in Dalbergia species. The study thus highlights the potential of this non-invasive analytical approach in assessing the quality parameters, which would facilitate sustainable utilisation and contribute to the advancement of woodworking industries.