The objective of this research was to evaluate the wood natural resistance of nine species of woods of the Brazilian semi-arid region to soft-rot fungi, under laboratory conditions. The studied woods were Prosopis juliflora, Anadenanthera colubrinavar.cebil, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Schinopsis brasiliensis, Senna siamea, Tabebuia aurea, Amburana cearensis, Tabebuia impetiginosa and Aspidosperma pyrifolium. Specimens measuring 3.0 x 1.5 x 0.5 cm, with the largest dimension taken in the fiber direction, were obtained from four positions from pith to bark in the trunk. The specimens were submitted to action of organic soil natural micro-flora for 120 days. The wood resistance to soft-rot of Myracrodruon urundeuva, Schinopsis brasiliensis and Senna siameawas not affected by the pith to bark position, and was not associated to wood density. The Myracrodruon urundeuva and Schinopsis brasiliensis heartwood, and Aspidosperma pyrifolium and Tabebuia impetiginosa woods were the most resistant to the fungi. The wood natural resistance was not associated to the content of hot water soluble extractives.
Brazilian semi-arid woods; wood natural resistance; soft-rot fungi
