Natural Durability of Acacia hybrid and superbulk planted in Sarawak

Elya Masya, Mohd Fishal (2006) Natural Durability of Acacia hybrid and superbulk planted in Sarawak. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Natural durability of plantation species such as Acacia hybrid and Acacia superbulk planted in Sarawak, Malaysia is still unknown due to lack of studies on them. Both of these Acacias species can be utilize if its wood properties are known. The purpose this of this study was to determine the natural durability of both Acacias based on weight loss through two major tests, which was assessed by a modified ASTM soil block test and termite resistance test. The wood sample of Acacia hybrid and Acacia superbulk were cut into cubes of 20 111m. Cubes were exposed to three types of fungi, Trametes versicolor, Schizophyllum commune and Rigidoporus microporus for a ten weeks. Only Hevea brasiliensis showed weight loss exceeded 10% for three types of fungi while Acacia mangium weight loss exceeded 10% after exposure to Trametes versicolor. The results showed that the Acacia species studied is classified as moderately durable. However Acacia auriculiformis can be classified as durable. The termite resistance test was conducted according JWPA standard and will evaluate in a three week Cubes of 10 mm x 10 mm x 20 mm were exposed to Coptotermes sp. of 150 workers and 50 soldiers in an acrylic cylinder. Hevea brasiliensis act as control and recorded the highest weight loss with 6.63 %. Acacia hybrid recorded the lowest weight loss after termite attack at 1.63% and classified as moderately attack. However Acacia superbulk was categorized as heavy attack.

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