A study on natural durability of less utilized wood species grown in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
A study on natural durability of less utilized wood species grown in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Tanvir Hussain
ABSTRACT
A laboratory study was carried out to assess the natural durability of eight hardwood species against a white rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum. For this purpose wooden blocks (4.5x2.5x1.5cm) prepared from each species were infested with fungus for 120 days. The endurance was calculated based on the mean percentage of weight loss of the wooden blocks. Results revealed that Sapindus mukorossi was most subjected to decay with a maximum average weight loss whereas the maximum natural resistance was found in Olea cuspidate. Among these hardwood species, Prosopis cineraria, Albizzia lebbek and Olea cuspidate were categorized in moderately durable class against this fungus while the rest species were kept in non-durable class. From results it can be concluded that the wood of Kao (Olea cuspidate), Black Siris (Albizzia lebbek) and Jand (Prosopis cineraria) may be more resistant to Ganoderma lucidum than the other studied species.
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March 2013
Vol. 63, Iss. 1
