Chemical Variations of Thermally Modified Wild-Grown Bambusa Vulgaris Schrad.Ex J.C. Wendl from Nigeria

Determining the variation of chemical properties of thermally treated Bambusa vulgaris is important to provide the information of the responses of the chemical constituents to the bamboo modification against biodegradation. This research was therefore conducted to determine the chemical properties of thermally modified Bambusa vulgaris. Two hundred and seventy (30 x 2 x 0.5 cm) bamboo strips dimension were thermally modified in a heat-chamber at 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 °C each, for 10, 20 and 30 minutes, under constant pressure (220 N/m2) in factorial arrangement in completely randomised design with 5 replicates. Unmodified strips served as control. Chemical characteristics (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash contents) were determined using standard procedures. The mean variation range of the control to 140°C/30 minutes of the thermally modified samples is as follows; the cellulose value ranged from 46.46±0.11% to 42.19±0.18%, hemicellulose from 35.59±0.10% to 31.80±0.01%, lignin from 29.11±0.12% to 26.17±0.13%, ash from 0.92±0.02% to 0.63±0.01%; the study also revealed that there were decrease in each chemical constituent value varies from a lower to a higher temperature and time regime proportionally except in the lignin content. Increase in temperature and time of thermal modification reduced the chemical characteristics of Bambusa vulgaris which resulted to reduction in the level of sugar contents (cellulose) of bamboo which enables it to be less attractive to both fungi and termite attack hence extending the service life of bamboo in use.

ATR-FTIR Study of Alaska Yellow Cedar Extractives and Relationship with Their Natural Durability

New approaches for assessing wood durability are needed to help categorize decay resistance as timber utilization shifts towards plantations or native forest regrowth that may be less durable than original native forest resources. This study evaluated attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis (PCA) for distinguishing between groups of Alaska yellow cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis) wood for susceptibility to two decay fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum and Rhodonia placenta) and the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes). Alaska yellow cedar durability varied with test organisms, but the majority of samples were highly resistant to fungal and termite attack. Weight losses and extractives yield using sequential extractions (toluene:ethanol > ethanol > hot water) showed moderate to weak relationships. PCA analysis revealed limited ability to distinguish amongst levels of wood durability to all tested organisms. The absence of non-resistant samples may have influenced the ability of the chemometric methods to accurately categorize durability.

Color Changes and Resistance Against Subterranean Termites Attack of Furfuryl Alcohol Impregnated Pine and Sengon Woods Through Graveyard Test

Pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. & de Vriese) and sengon (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes) are common species of woods used for many purposes. Both species are known susceptible against subterranean termite attack. This study aims to analyze the effect of furfuryl alcohol impregnation on color changes and the resistance against subterranean termites of pinewood and sengon after in-ground test for one year. Furfurylated pine and sengon woods reached weight percent gain 31.2% and 79.1%, densities 0.93 g/cm3 and 0.43 g/cm3, moisture content 3.27% and 2.88%, respectively. Furfurylated pine and sengon woods have lost weight 4.07% dan 2.09%, respectively, with the average resistance level of 9.8 on both woods while untreated pine and sengon woods lost weight were 59.02% and 35.58%, with resistance level 4 and 3.8, respectively. Resistance level scoring was conducted by refering to ASTM D1758-06. Higher resistance level and lower weight loss on both furfurylated woods compared to untreated woods showed that furfurylation could increase the wood resistance against termite attack.

Vegetation conditions in various plant communities and their performance in district Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan

Six villages were registered for the experimental purpose/plantation where more than 25,000 plants were planted to develop range forest. These plants were developed at Marvi nursery PARC-Arid Zone Research Institute, Umerkot and some were purchased from private nursery situated at Mirpurkhas. Results revealed that maximum plants mortality rate was found at village Ratnore and lowest mortality of plants was observed at Mithrio Charan. Plants damaged due to unknown reason (natural), termite attack and diseases. In various locations most of plants were affected by termites than others biotic and abiotic factors. The most influenced plant was Prosopis cinerera. Maximum plants survived numbers of grafted ber was found at village Ratnore, the biomass production of green and dry grasses was taken after harvesting. A highest green grass weight 21812.58 kg and dry 3439.83 kg were observed from elephant grass stock and lowest green weight 5001.92 kg from Gatten grass and dry weight 477.57 kg per acre were recorded from Rhode grass 1 (Sabri). Gatten grass and Rhode grass 1 (Sabri) were found lower weight. All these seven grasses showed excellent performance except Elephant grass and Gatten grass. These two grasses needed more water as compared to remaining five species. These grasses when fed by goats their milk production was increased and goats like to feed these grasses. The pictures of these grasses showed their appearance and health irrigated by underground brackish water with more than 2200 ppm. Keywords: grown, plants, performance, Tharparkar.

Evaluation of Yield and Resistance Effect of Some Yam Genotypes (Dioscorea rotundata Pior) to Pest Attack at Harvest in Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria

Two years study was carried to assess level of resistance to yam beetle and termite attack by some yam genotypes in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. The five yam genotypes tested for yam beetle and termite attack at harvest were; TDr 95/19127, 95/18894, 95/19531, 75/1/2 and Uyo popular local variety eteme. The results showed variations in yield and susceptible to termite and beetle attack at harvest. The TDr 75/1/2 had highest yield 30.41 and 29.75t/ha, followed by TDr 95/18894, 28.86 and 27.93t/ha in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The local variety had lowest yield 9.75 and 10.07 t/ha in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The local variety had 14.58% termite attack in 2008 while 95/19127 had 12.64% in 2009. The local variety had highest beetle attack 45.83% and 32.76% in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The least prone to termite and beetle attack was recorded in TDr 75/1/2, 2.72 and 8.15% respectively in 2008 and 2.99 and 6.59% in 2009 respectively. The study suggested that TDr 75/1/2 and 95/18894 should incorporate in the farming system of the study area due to their high yielding capacity and resistance to pest attack at harvest.

Evaluation of Discoloration and Subterranean Termite Resistance of Four Furfurylated Tropical Wood Species after One-Year Outdoor Exposure

The discoloration and resistance to subterranean termite attack of four furfurylated fast-growing tropical wood species were evaluated after outdoor exposure for 1 year in Bogor, Indonesia. For comparison purposes, imidacloprid-preserved and untreated wood samples were also prepared. Discoloration of all treated samples was measured before and after the furfurylation process. The wood specimens were then placed vertically to three-fourths of their length in the ground for 1 year, at which point they were evaluated for resistance to subterranean termite attack. After furfurylation, wood samples were darker in color than untreated wood, while imidacloprid-preserved wood was lighter. After 1-year exposure, furfurylated wood samples appeared to have the highest resistance to subterranean termite attack. These samples had minimal weight loss, indicating a substantial protection level. Imidacloprid-preserved wood had less resistance to termite attack, but was more resistant than untreated wood.

Short Communication: The resistance of Styrax sumatrana wood of varying growth sites and stem axial positions to subterranean termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) attack

Iswanto AH, Tambunan J, Susilowati A, Hartono R, Darwis A. 2021. Short Communication: The resistance of Styrax sumatrana wood of varying growth sites and stem axial positions to subterranean termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) attack. Biodiversitas 22: 3192-3198. As mega-biodiversity country, Indonesia consists of a large number of flora and fauna, including wood-destroying organisms such as termites. One of the native trees known as a resin producer is Tobanese incense (Styrax sumatrana). The existence of this species has been studied for several wood properties such as physical, mechanical, and chemical properties, while its natural durability against termite attack has not been studied. As a country known as a haven for termites, the study on incense wood durability is very important for further utilization. The objective of this research was to analyze the natural durability of S. sumatrana wood from two growing locations and different stem positions using a graveyard test. The Graveyard test method was used to investigate the mass loss and percentage of damage of the sampled woods. The test sample used is 2x2x20 cm3 in size. The sample is buried as deep as 15 cm and leaving 5 cm of the part that is above the soil surface. The distance between the samples is 60 cm. The results obtained from this study indicated that the incense wood originating from Pakpak Bharat and North Tapanuli districts can be classified as durable class V (Vulnerable category) and severely damaged (E category) with the respective mass loss percentages ranging from 22.03-31.70% and 18.46-20.79% and damage percentages ranging from 86.55-96.27% and 78.02-86.32%. In conclusion, the positions of the stem and the sites where it grows caused a difference in the natural durability value of Styrax sumatrana wood. The incense wood originating from North Tapanuli District had slightly better durability against subterranean termite attacks than that from Pakpak Bharat District, although overall the samples from these two sites fell into the same durability class.

Evaluation of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Productivity in Relation to Termite Attacks in Rural Area in Tivaouane (Senegal)

In Senegal, the cassava harvest, produced mainly in the department of Tivaouane (Thies), is 7.5 t/ha on average for a potential of 40 t/ha. The main variety produced in Tivaouane is Soya. The objective of this study is to evaluate the productivity of the soya variety farmed in Tivaouane in relation to termite damage. Specifically, it is intended to i) evaluate losses caused by termites and missing plants ii) evaluate the average number of tubers per plant, the average weight of a tuber and iii) calculate the yield of cassava production of the Soya variety farmed in Tivaouane. The methodology is based on sampling in order to evaluate parameters such as losses due to termites and missing plants, evaluation of the number of tubers per plant, the average weight of a tuber and the productivity of this variety of cassava. The average loss due to termite attack on dead feet is 1.2 t/ha and the loss due to missing feet is estimated at 3.4 t/ha. The average number of tubers per stand is 2.8 with an average weight of 1.1 kg per tuber. The theoretical yield obtained is 11 t/ha. The low average number of tubers is related to the variety, the quality of the soil and the crop conditions. However, the productivity of this variety of cassava cropped in Tivaouane is still low considering the potential of Senegal in terms of annual cassava production. An improvement in crop conditions, such as the way cuttings are planted, would be an advantage in increasing the productivity of the Soya variety.

Influence of Zwitterionic Buffer Effects with Thermal Modification Treatments of Wood on Symbiotic Protists in Reticulitermes grassei Clément

The majority of thermal modification processes are at temperatures greater than 180 °C, resulting in a product with some properties enhanced and some diminished (e.g., mechanical properties). However, the durability of thermally modified wood to termite attack is recognised as low. Recent attempts at combining thermal modification with chemical modification, either prior to or directly after the thermal process, are promising. Buffers, although not influencing the reaction systems, may interact on exposure to certain conditions, potentially acting as promoters of biological changes. In this study, two zwitterionic buffers, bicine and tricine, chosen for their potential to form Maillard-type products with fragmented hemicelluloses/volatiles, were assessed with and without thermal modification for two wood species (spruce and beech), with subsequent evaluation of their effect against subterranean termites (Reticulitermes grassei Clément) and their symbiotic protists. The effect of the wood treatments on termites and their symbionts was visible after four weeks, especially for spruce treated with tricine and bicine and heat treatment (bicine HT), and for beech treated with bicine and bicine and heat treatment (bicine HT). The chemical behaviour of these substances should be further investigated when in contact with wood and also after heat treatment. This is the first study evaluating the effect of potential Maillard reactions with zwitterionic buffers on subterranean termite symbiotic fauna.