Descripción de las propiedades físicas de la madera de Piptocoma discolor (kunth) pruski (pigüe) procedente de cuatro pisos altitudinales

Abstract

This study described the physical properties of Piptocoma discolor (Kunth) Pruski (Pigüe) from four altitudinal levels: 300, 400, 1100, and 1560 meters above sea level. This species may be in danger due to the exponential extraction that occurs. Therefore, this research aimed to know which altitudinal floor the wood develops with the best characteristics. It was stated in the herbarium collection (CHEP) for dendrological identification. About the anatomical features of the wood, cuts were made according to COPANT standards, and the wood was softened in an autoclave. Afterward, histological cuts were made in the three incisions (radial, tangential, and transverse), stained with Safranina, Astra Blue, and their mixture. Finally, it was placed on the plates with their labeling. For the organoleptic characteristics, the senses were used. For the hydrogen potential (pH), sawdust was used, where it was mixed with distilled water until it was homogenized and the pH was measured. Regarding the density, the 2 cm3 cubes were weighed, and their volume was determined. The results of the study are that the species at 400 m.a.s.l. It had solitary pores in greater quantity, radial multiples of two or three at 1100 m.a.s.l., and isolated pores in smaller amounts at 300 m.a.s.l. and 1560 m.a.s.l. radial multiples of two, three, and four. The woods are considered slightly acidic for pH, and air-dry density was classified as medium. It is concluded that wood develops with better physical characteristics at 400 m.a.s.l. due to the presence of more significant annual precipitation and average temperatures, thus managing to identify its organoleptic and anatomical characteristics with better results, it is proposed that studies be carried out on other species to show if their characteristics vary.