Panels of thirty-eight timber species and marine plywood were tested in Kochi harbour (South-west India) for periods ranging from 3 to 21 months, so as to evaluate their natural resistance against marine borers. Results indicate that all the timber species studied are non-durable, 6 of them having undergone more than 50% internal destruction within 3 months; 14 species in 6 months, 13 species and 9 months; 2 species in 15 months; and 1 species each within 12, 18 and 21 months. The marine plywood reached 50% damage within 12 months. Timber species which demonstrated comparatively high degree of durability were Hopea parviflora, Terminalia paniculata, Terminalia crenulata, Aglaia roxburghiana and Xylia xylocarpa. Destruction was caused minly by Martesia striata (Linnaeus) and Nausitora hedleyi Schepman, though few specimens of Sphaeroma terebrans Bate, Sphaeroma annandalei Stebbing and Martesia nairi Turner and Santhakumaran were also encountered. A discussion on the results in the light of reports of previous workers is also included.

Download document (1.1 Mb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document