Effects of polyvinyl alcohol on leachability and efficacy of boron wood preservatives against fungal decay and termite attack

Abstract The performance of several wood surface treatments as well as a silica treatment claiming to provide protection against fungal decay and termite attack in aboveground applications were examined in termite, ground proximity, and sandwich tests at a subtropical site near Hilo, Hawaii. In general, the surface treatments performed similarly to untreated controls and provided little or no protection against fungal or insect attack. The silicate treatment provided some termite and decay protection, but fungal decay resulted in rapid declines in condition after 50 to 54 months of exposure. Copper azole–treated lumber provided the best performance against both termites and fungal attack, illustrating the benefits of pressure treatment over surface treatments in high-decay-hazard environments. These results also illustrate the importance of rigorous testing and standardization protocols for any product that makes durability claims before it enters the market to ensure that it will perform as expected.

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Evaluation of borate formulations as wood preservatives to control subterranean termites in Australia

Holzforschung ◽

10.1515/hf.2004.068 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 58 (4) ◽

pp. 446-454 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

B.M. Ahmed ◽

J.R.J. French ◽

P. Vinden

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Boric Acid ◽

Pinus Radiata ◽

Subterranean Termites ◽

Wood Preservatives ◽

Laboratory Bioassay ◽

Eucalyptus Regnans ◽

Laboratory Results ◽

Termite Attack ◽

Treated Timber

Abstract The termiticidal efficacy of sodium octaborate tetrahydrate, boric acid, borester-7, and tri-methyl borate as wood preservatives was evaluated after each was impregnated into seasoned sapwood of Pinus radiata D. Don and Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell in laboratory bioassay against Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt). There was clear difference between the different borate retentions in treated and untreated blocks, mass loss, and mortality rate of the termite used in the bioassay units. After 8 weeks of laboratory bioassay, the results suggested that borate was toxic to termites even at 0.24% m/m BAE and caused significant termite mortality, but termites were not deterred from attacking the borate-treated timber at a higher retention of >2.0% m/m BAE. These laboratory results indicated that the minimum borate treatment required to protect timber against termite attack and damage was >1.0% m/m BAE.

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Antifungal Polyvinyl Alcohol Coatings Incorporating Carvacrol for the Postharvest Preservation of Golden Delicious Apple

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings10111027 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1027

Author(s):

Mayra Sapper ◽

Maria Eugenia Martin-Esparza ◽

Amparo Chiralt ◽

Chelo Gonzalez Martinez

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Polyvinyl Alcohol ◽

Storage Time ◽

Active Agent ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Fungal Decay ◽

Green Mold ◽

Golden Delicious ◽

Great Persistence ◽

The Impact

Different polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating formulations incorporating starch (S) and carvacrol (C) as the active agent were applied to Golden Delicious apples to evaluate their effectiveness at controlling weight loss, respiration rate, fruit firmness, and fungal decay against B. cinerea and P. expansum throughout storage time. Moreover, the impact of these coatings on the sensory attributes of the fruit was also analyzed. The application of the coatings did not notably affect the weight loss, firmness changes, or respiration pathway of apples, probably due to the low solid surface density of the coatings. Nevertheless, they exhibited a highly efficient disease control against both black and green mold growths, as a function of the carvacrol content and distribution in the films. The sensory analysis revealed the great persistence of the carvacrol aroma and flavor in the coated samples, which negatively impact the acceptability of the coated products.

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Protection of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) materials against fungal decay and discolouration by treatment with wood preservatives

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products ◽

10.1007/s00107-018-1371-3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 139-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ralf Möller ◽

Gundula Mild

Keyword(s):

Moso Bamboo ◽

Phyllostachys Pubescens ◽

Wood Preservatives ◽

Fungal Decay

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Survey of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in a managed silvicultural plantation in Portugal, using a line-intersection method (LIS)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s000748530800607x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 11-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

T. Nobre ◽

L. Nunes ◽

D.E. Bignell

Keyword(s):

Positive Relationship ◽

Dead Wood ◽

Subterranean Termites ◽

Fungal Decay ◽

Eucalyptus Plantation ◽

Exponential Character ◽

Termite Attack ◽

Decay Parameters ◽

Intersection Method

AbstractSubterranean termites (Reticulitermes grassei) were surveyed over successive seasons in a managed eucalyptus plantation in southeastern Portugal for 26 months. Termite activity in seven diameter categories of lying dead wood was investigated by a modified line intersection method (LIS). Each item sampled was inspected and assessed for termite attack and for general (i.e. fungal) decay status using standard protocols. Line intersection is quantitative to the extent that it can link foraging and decay parameters to woody biovolume. It was found that termites selected items with larger diameter, the observed trend showing an exponential character with greater termite attack as diameter increased. Attack by termites was positively associated with prior decay by fungi. A clear positive relationship was shown between rainfall and total woody biovolume containing live termites, underlining the importance of moisture for termite activity. Subterranean termites appeared to be important wood decomposers in the woodland studied, with an average of 30% of lying dead wood branches showing signs of termite attack.

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