Natural durability of ten amazon woods under field condictions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the natural durability of ten Amazonian forest species in two environments of deterioration. The species studied were Trattinnickia burserifolia (amescla), Mezilaurus itauba (itaúba), Hymenaea courbaril (jatobá), Nectandra cissiflora (canela), Hymenolobium petreum (angelimpedra), Erisma uncinatum (cedrinho), Bowdichia virgilioides (sucupira), Apuleia leiocarpa (garapeira), Dipteryx odorata (cumaru) e Qualea albiflora (cambara). The environments were an open field and a forest. The wood samples were made with dimensions of 5 x 5 x 40 cm and submitted to a deterioration test for 660 days. In the field was realized breaking test and collection of the termites present in the woods. After 660 days the samples were sent to the laboratory to evaluate the sanity index. Amescla, angelim pedra, cambara and cedro woods showed more preference about termite attack. Four genres of termites were observed in the woods evaluated: Heterotermes sp., Coptotermes sp., Dolichorhinotermes sp. and Armitermes sp. Itaúba wood presented greater natural durability in all tests. The environment of deterioration that most influenced the loss of resistance of the species was the forest.