1 NJEM, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2011 STUDIES OF FIBRE CHARACTERISTICS AND PAPER-MAKING POTENTIALS OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES H.O. Chibudike, E. Mgbachiuzo, O.A. Adeyoju, O.F. Kayode, A.B. Arowolo, B.I. Ojo, O.B. Tojola, G.O. Asieba, E.O. Orekoya Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (F.I.I.R.O.) Lagos, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Anatomic studies of some Agricultural waste materials and their suitability in the production of high quality pulp and paper materials were carried out. Preparation of samples representing each plant species was conducted in accordance with TAPPI Standard T12-0s-75, which specifies that samples be grinded to a fine particle size to permeate 0.4mm screen and retained on a 0.6mm screen. Agricultural wastes understudied were pulped by the alkaline process. By this process, the wastes were chipped and cooked in the digester within the temperature range of 102 to 108 0 C over a period ranging between 180 to 277 minutes, in the rotating type wood digester. Thereafter, the pulp samples obtained were disintegrated, washed and screened for subsequent analysis. Pulp yield for the various species understudied varied between 43.1wt% to 59.7wt%. Standard TAPPI methods were adopted to determine the fibre dimensions, and subsequently, paper samples were made. Overall parameter evaluated revealed that some agricultural wastes have the potentials and promising features as a source of good quality pulp fibres. keywords: Agricultural wastes, Fiber dimension, Ligno-cellulose, TAPPI standard, Lumen. 1.0.0 INTRODUCTION Paper is made up of fibre, that is to say, thread like bodies having great length in proportion to their width. The fibrous raw materials in use are of various special characteristics. Although, chemical; and mechanical wood pulp are by far the most important of these fibrous materials, others are also used extensively. (FAO, 2002). The cellulose content of “one-year” plant reaches a maximum after the plant has ceased to grow and has become ripe. With the wastes mentioned above, this is the case after the leaves starts to wither, the stem loses its green colour and takes on a yellow tinge. After a period of 2 to 3 months, the cellulose content decreases with the incidence of general decomposition. Therefore, harvesting is expected to be carried out within the most favourable period as just indicated. This is also important from the point of view of storage. The mature plant has used up most of its reserved substances, such as sugar, and starch, and thus is less susceptible to attack by moulds, fungi, etc during storage. Agricultural wastes are extensively used and their commercial development has advanced in many countries, especially in Europe (FAO, 2004) Many pulp and paper making processes are dependent on the behavior of wood fibres, and whether or not a particular wood specie is suitable for paper making depends largely on the shape of its cells (Rashback and Yorston, 1961) The scarcity of pulp and paper materials which has generated severe pressure on the country to satisfy the rapidly increasing demand of paper led to the importation of paper materials into Nigeria at enormous costs to the economy. Utilization of agro-wastes as substitute raw materials in pulp, paper and fiber board production could be one of those valuable steps towards the revival of Nigeria economy. 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1. Wood Preparation for Chemical Analysis. This was carried out in accordance with TAPPI Standard T12- 0S-75 (Steward, 2001)