Natural Resistance of Two Plantation Woods Populus × canadensis cv. and Cunninghamia lanceolata to Decay Fungi and Termites

Natural durability of two plantation woods, Chinese fir and I-214 poplar, was investigated thoroughly by three test- ing methods, namely an accelerated laboratory decay test, a fungus cellar test and a field test. After the decay test using Postia pla- centa and Trametes versicolor, Chinese fir and the I-214 poplar showed 34% and 69% of mass loss, respectively, indicating they should be classified as slightly durable and non-durable wood. This conclusion was confirmed by the fungus cellar test and the field test. Like the performance in the decay test, I-214 poplar showed no resistance to termites either in the laboratory or in the field, whereas Chinese fir would be classified as moderately resistant.

Relative efficacy of heartwood extracts and proprietory wood preservatives as wood protectants

The relative potentials of either heartwood extracts (air dry extracts in 60 percent methanol) of very durable woods (Afzelia africana J.E. Smith; Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill & Perr.) Brenam. Syn. E guinensis G.Don. or Milicia excelsa (Welw) C.C. Berg. Syn. Chlorophora excelsa (Welw) Benth.) or any of two proprietary wood preservatives (AWPA type 揅? Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) or 5 percent solution of AWPA Standard Designation P ??type 揅? Pentanchlorophenol (Penta) in light oil solvent) to suppress attack on pressure treated Antiaris toxicaria Lesch Sapwood by either any of three species of decaying fungi (Coridopsis Polyzona Klotzch; Lenzites trabea; or Trametes cingulata Fr.) under soil block exposure conditions were investigated and threshold values determined. Extract/preservative dosages were either 8.009; 24.778; 48.056; 96.111 or 144.167 kg穖-3 (0.5; 1.5; 3.0; 6.0 or 9.0 1b/ft3). Exposure was for either 14 or 28 weeks and in accordance with ASTM D1413 72 Provisions. Conclusions reached were that at threshold values the ability of either any of the heartwood extracts or proprietary wood preservatives to suppress attack under conditions in this study was significant at 0.01. Relative efficacy of those biocides was dependent on fungal species. Neither any of the heartwood extracts nor any of the proprietary wood preservatives (except in the case of Trametes cingulata attack on CCA treated wood at highest retention level) was able to confer 搗ery durable?rating on treated wood. Possible reasons for the reduced relative durability of extracts visa vis native heartwood were advanced. At the highest retention level (144.167 kg穖-3) there was no significant difference (at 0.05 level) between efficacy of each of the heartwood extracts and any of the proprietary wood preservatives (CCA or Penta).

Biological performance,water absorption,and swelling of wood treated with nano-particles combined with the application of Paraloid B72~

We evaluated fungal decay and mold resistance,leaching, and water absorption of nano-compounds and Paraloid B72-（PB72） in treated wood specimens to develop new methods of consolidation by combining nanoparticles and consolidants. Scots pine wood specimens were treated with dispersions of nano-Cu O, nano-Zn O,nano-B2O3, nano-Ti O2, and nano-Ce O2. PB72 treatments of nano-particle-treated wood specimens were then carried out by either vacuum or immersion for 24 h. Previously,decayed wood specimens were also consolidated with the nano-compounds and PB72. PB72 treatments reduced element release from treated wood specimens. Nearly all nano-compounds ？ PB72 treatments increased the biological performance of treated wood specimens against decay fungi tested. PB72-only treated wood specimens had the highest weight losses in decay tests. No improvements were obtained in mold resistance tests when the nanocompounds and PB72 were combined. In nano-compoundonly treatments, unleached specimens showed slightly lower water absorption values compared to untreated control specimens. Incorporation of PB72 into nano-compound-treated wood specimens resulted in considerably lower water absorption and volumetric swell. In previously decayed specimens treated with the nano-compounds and PB72 solution, water absorption after 2-h immersion declined compared to control specimens.

Neofomitella guangxiensis and Sebipora aquosa newly recorded white rot polypores from India

As a part of the documentation of the polyporoid fungi of Kerala State,India,two interesting polypore specimens were collected.Morphological and molecular characterization revealed the identity of two species as Neofomitella guangxiensis and Sebipora aquosa,which were reported as new records to India.We present the taxonomy of the two species based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic data.