Natural resistance of wood from three forest species exposed to Pycnoporus sanguineus xylophagous fungus

Wood is subject to degradation by biological agents. Therefore, studies are necessary to ensure its appropriate use, avoid economic losses. The objective of this study was to assess the natural resistance of Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), yellow ipe (Handroanthus serratifolius) and tauari (Couratari sp.) woods exposed under laboratory conditions to Pycnoporus sanguineus fungus, which causes white rot. The decay test was conducted according to the method defined in the American Society for Testing and Materials, and the intensity of biodeterioration was determined by mass loss of the three test woods and one control wood, pumpwood (Cecropia sp.), which has low natural resistance. Analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) were used in the analysis of results. The wood species were classified as highly resistant and resistant to P. sanguineus. Yellow ipe was the most resistant species to fungus attack, whereas tauari was the most susceptible