Impact of Different Pre-treatments of Agave sisalana Leaves on Yield and Anatomical Traits of Fibre

The study presented was aimed to investigate the effect of different pre-treatments of Agave sisalana leaves on yield, physicochemical and anatomical characteristics of fibre. A. sisalana leaves were treated with acid, alkali and biomaterial. Fibres obtained through different pre-treatment conditions were examined for their physicochemical and anatomical characteristics. Results indicated a notable influence of the three treatments on yield and physical properties of fibres. Total yield ( %) and number of fibre per leave was recorded from the biomaterial treated leaves followed by alkali treated leaves. Physical properties including fibre length and fibre diameter were also maximum for the fibres obtained from biomaterial treated leaves. Results of solubility and other chemical examination of fibres from all the treatments were same. Microscopic study of fibre indicated their cellular structure and needle shape with sharp apex and lumen. The study thus established the biomaterial pretreatment as an ecofrienly, efficient and productive way for extraction of sisal fibre.