Natural and preservative-treated durability of Populus nigra cv. italica timber grown in Santa Cruz province, Argentina.

DIAZ B.; MURACE M.; PERI P.L.; KEIL G.; LUNA L.; OTAÑO M.

INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2003 vol. 52 p. 43 - 47

0964-8305

In Santa Cruz, strong winds constrain agricultural development. Windbreaks of many shapes and sizes have been a feature in Santa Cruz landscape for more than 100 years, mainly to protect agricultural crops, livestock and rural houses and to provide a source of wood and poles for fuelwood and construction purposes. The objective was to evaluate the natural durability of Populus nigra cv. Italica timber in laboratory from two Santa Cruz province sites and to relate it with silvicultural parameters. Laboratory tests were carried out using the methodology of Lopez & Deschamps with two wood-degrading fungi species: Coriolus versicolor and Lentinus lepideus. Physical and anatomical analyses of the timber were carried out. Results have demonstrated no significant differences (p<0.05­) between the two sites in relative weight lost over 50 and 150 days. However, Los Antiguos timber had a lower density (317.9 Kg/m3) due to the higher rate of growth in DBH (1.8 cm/year) compared with Gobernador Gregores site (348.4 Kg/m3 and 0.89 cm/year, respectively).