STUDIES ON WOOD CHARACTERISTICS USING Ageratum conyzoides L. EXTRACT AS A WOOD BIOPRESERVATIVE
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Date
2013
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Studies on wood characteristics using Ageratum conyzoides L.
extract as a wood biopreservative” was carried out in the Department of Forest Products, Nauni, Solan (H.P.)
Products and also in the Laboratory of Fruit Pathology in the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Dr.
Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Wood samples of Pinus roxburghii
Sargent, Celtis australis L., and Bombax ceiba L. of size 5cm x 2.5cm x 2.5cm +.25cm x .15cm x .15cm
(longitudinally x radially x tangentially ) were got prepared. The wood specimens of Pinus roxburghii Sargent,
Celtis australis L., and Bombax ceiba L. were dipped in 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2 % (w/v ) Ageratum
conyzoides L.. extract solution for 48 hours. These were analysed for variation of specific gravity, per cent
weight gain of treated and untreated wood on dry weight basis (Swelling), Per cent weight gain of treated and
untreated wood on wet weight basis (Shrinkage), weight gain, volumetric swelling coefficient, volumetric
shrinkage coefficient, Swelling of wood in three different planes, Swelling of wood in three different planes,
Chromium absorption, Chromium leaching, chromium retained. Per cent fungus growth and per cent fungal
inhibition. The maximum value of specific gravity recorded in Pinus roxburghii L. (0.516) and minimum in
Bombax ceiba L. (0.500). The highest per cent variation in weight of treated and untreated wood on dry weight
basis (Swelling) recorded in Celtis australis (97.61%) and lowest in Pinus roxburghii Sargent (60.21%).
Maximum value (49.91%) for per cent variation in weight of treated and untreated wood on wet weight basis
(Shrinkage) was recorded in Celtis australis and minimum (37.42%) in Pinus roxbrghii. Variation in oven dry
weight of treated and untreated wood was found maximum (0.058g) in Pinus roxburghii while minimum (-
0.093) in Bombax ceiba. The maximum value (8.43%) of volumetric shrinkage coefficient was recorded in
Pinus roxburghii and minimum (7.62%) in Celtis australis showing significant difference. Maximum value
(9.07%) for volumetric swelling coefficient was found for Pinus roxburghii and minimum (8.42%) for Celtis
australis. Maximum value for chromium absorption, chromium leaching and chromium retention found at 10%
chromic acid concentration and minimum at 5% chromic acid concentration. Shrinkage of wood was recorded
maximum for Pinus roxburghii in all the three planes i.e. longitudinal (0.75%), radial (3.65%) and tangential
plane (4.25%). Minimum shrinkage was recorded for Bombax ceiba in longitudinal plane (0.29%) and tangential
plane (3.02%) and for Celtis australis (2.55%) in radial plane. Maximum fungus colonization was recorded in
control (100%) for all the species, but for Celtis australis and Pinus roxburghii at 0.25 per cent concentration
(100%) is recorded and minimum fungus colonization in Bombax ceiba at 2 per cent concentration (39.70%).
Highest fungus growth inhibition was recorded for Bombax ceiba (60.30%) and Pinus roxburghii (45.08%) at
2.00 per cent concentration and the lowest was found for control in all the species but also for Celtis australis L
and Pinus roxburghii Sargent. at 0.25 per cent concentrations.