Natural durability of untreated Populus nigra cv. italica timber grown in Santa Cruz, Argentina

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

Buenos Aires

Simposio; Fourth Latin American Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium; 2001

Fourth Latin American Biodeterioration and Biodegradation

In Santa Cruz, strong winds constrain agricultural development. Shelterbelts of many shapes and sizes have been a feature in Santa Cruz landscape for more than 100 years. Live windbreaks are often planted to allow the growth of fruit trees, pastures and horticultural crops, and to protect agricultural crops, livestock and rural houses. Shelterbelts have also been planted to provide a source of wood and poles for fuelwood and construction purposes. The objective was to evaluate the natural durability of untreated 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 between the two sites in percentage weight lost over 50 and 150 days. However, Los Antiguos site had a lower wood 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).