Evaluación de la durabilidad natural de la madera en laboratorio de dos especies forestales, en reacción de un hongo xilófago

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the natural durability of two forest species' wood against the action of a xylophagous fungus under laboratory conditions. The durability was evaluated by the percentage of weight loss of the wood specimens, using their resistance interpretation through the ASTM D-2017 Standard and the Findlay table against the destructive action of the xylophagous fungus Ganoderma sp, which is used for these kinds of studies, due to its facility to remove lignin. The results detail a percentage of weight loss greater than 36% for the two forest species, thus interpreting that they are wood with a "C" classification and a "Moderately resistant" degree of resistance against the xylophagous fungus used. Therefore, it attributes an average useful life of between 10 and 15 years. This weight loss is independent of the height level of the stem from which the sample was taken. However, when comparing the weight loss between the two species E. nitens present higher values, without affecting the resistance classification. Regarding the relationship between the basic density and the resistance of the species, it does not show any correlation since the resistance classification remains the same for both. However, the basic density, in general, is a good index of durability, but there are numerous exceptions. Similar studies are recommended with the separation of sapwood and heartwood and through the destructive action of other species of xylophagous fungi.