Browsing by Author "Solomon, S.M."

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    Susceptibility of Some Servicing Wood Species to Subterranean Termites in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
    (Department of Agronomy, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2017-08-31) Ajayi, Folorunso A.; Egbewole, Z.T.; Haruna, I.M.; Jayeoba, O.J.; Bala, L.W.; Solomon, S.M.; Rotowa, O.J.
    Termites are well known for their ability to damage wood and various types of wood-derived products. This study evaluated the susceptibility of six servicing wood species (Tectonagrandis, Khayaspp, Daniella oliveri, Gmelina arborea, Parkia biglobosa and Vitallaria paradox) to the activity of subterranean termites. It was conducted on two testing sites, termitaria and the Timber Grave Yard both of the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Ecotourism, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Shabu-Lafia. The wood test samples measured 4x4x40cm, and the study was laid in a 6 x 5 x 2 factorial experiment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a total of 60 treatment combinations replicated 5 times making a population of 300 test samples in order to facilitate the interpretation of the main and interacting effects that could evolve.Each wood species was staked at 1m x 0.5m with 20 cm of the test samples planted into the soil while the other half (20cm) was exposed to natural environmental conditions. The servicing wood species stakes were exposed to subterranean termites for a period of 24 months. Dry weight and percentage moisture content was taken prior to staking and after 12 months of exposure to subterranean termites. The result of final weight loss shows that Mahogany had (5.89±5.54g), Teak (9.05±16.96g), Shea butter (13.51±18.00g) and Gmelina spp. with (19.89±28.87g) were not statistically different from each other after 12 months of exposure to termites. But the loss recorded from these four-wood species were statistically different from Pakia spp. with (38.00±37.95g) and Daniella spp (40.23±33.32g) at (p < 0.05). Thus, the susceptibility of the wood species exposed to subterranean termites at the termitaria can be ranked as follows: Daniella spp. >Pakia spp > Gmelina spp. > Shea butter tree > Teak > Mahogany,while those staked in the grave yard showed the following susceptibility rates: Gmelina spp. >Daniella spp. >Pakia spp > Teak >Shea butter tree > Mahogany. At the two sites, Mahogany proved to be less susceptible to attack by subterranean termites. There was a significant positive correlation between the servicing wood species and the two sites used. From this study, it was established that the life of servicing wood species can be prolonged if properly and efficiently used and that Different wood species have different uses. The results have shown that wood species such as Daniella, Gmelina and Parkia biglobosa are highly susceptible to termite infestation; while wood species such as Khaya spp. (Mahogany), Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea butter), Tectonagrandis are less susceptible to termite infestation. Based on the results of this study it is recommended that Daniella and Gmelina species are suitable as light servicing woods and may not be suitable for home and furniture use due to their high level of susceptibility to termite infestation and that Khaya spp. Vitellaria paradoxa and Tectonagrandis arerecommended for heavy duty construction due to the fact that they are less susceptible to termite infestation.