The objective of this research was to evaluate the natural resistance of nine semi arid region Brazilian woods to wood-destroying fungi under laboratory conditions. The studied woods were the Prosopis juliflora, Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Schinopsis brasiliensis, Senna siamea, Tabebuia aurea, Amburana cearensis, Tabebuia impetiginosa and Aspidosperma pyrifolium. Test samples measuring 2.54 x 2.00 x 1.00 cm, with the largest measure taken fiber-wise were obtained from four pith-to-bark positions. The samples were submitted to action of the Postia placenta and Neolentinus lepideus fungi for 14 weeks. Species resistance, with exception of those of Prosopis juliflora and Anadenanthera macrocarpa (P. placenta), Tabebuia aurea (N. lepideus) and Senna siamea (P. placenta and N. lepideus), was affected by pith-to-bark position, not been associated to density wood. The Tabebuia impetiginosa wood and the heartwood of Myracrodruon urundeuva and Schinopsis brasiliensis showed the greatest resistance to the tested fungi. The natural resistance disparity, except in Myracrodruon urundeuva and Schinopsis brasiliensis, has not been associated to content of soluble substances in hot-water present in the wood of each species studied.
Brazilian semi-arid wood; wood natural resistance; wood-destroying fungi
