Surface colour and lightfastness of wood are the main features by which to decide if the wood is suitable for furniture-making and interior decoration, as well as mirroring its close relationship with the psychology, physiology and health of people. Wood pigmentation is generally induced by the xylem and the extractives deposited in wood cell cavities and cell wall. Different tree species show varying degrees of wood pigmentation. Nobuya (1994) screened three attributes — hue, lightness and colour saturation — for tree species throughout the world, using the colour system index provided by A.H. Munsell. Using a photoelectric examiner, Youko (1987) collected the wood surface pigmentation parameters of commercial timbers belonging to 51 categories in the Japanese market, and the decorative veneers made from 32 tree species. In China, Liu Yixing and Li Jian (1995) made a systematic analysis of the physical quantity of wood surface pigmentation involving 110 tree species. Duan Xinfang et al. (1998) carried out studies on poplar and Chinese fir concerning their distinguishing features of wood colour and the changes in wood pigmentation following chitosan treatment.
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