<em>ACACIA</em> <em>MANGIUM</em>, <em>HOPEA</em> <em>ODORATA</em> AND <em>KHAYA</em> <em>IVORENSIS</em> GROWN IN EX-MINING AND BRIS PLANTATION PLOTS: RESISTANCE AGAINST SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the natural durability of wood from ex-mining and BRIS plantation plots of three timber species, namely, Acacia mangium, Hopea odorata and Khaya ivorensis against subterranean termites. The assessment involved two tests—accelerated laboratory test (4 weeks) and field test (16 weeks)—where samples were exposed to the termite Coptotermes curvignathus, after which weight loss and visual rating were evaluated. The main findings showed that the timber grown in ex-mining areas had higher resistance against subterranean termites compared with timber from BRIS area.