[Biodegradation of Venezuelan woods in field stake tests in the western lowlands]

Following known standards, a Field Test Site was established in Bum Bum area, located in Ticoporo Forest Reserve, tropical dry forest, Barinas State, Venezuela, for the study of wood biodegradation. Wood stakes from various wood species particularly Caribbean pine, with 500 mm x 50 mm x 25 mm in dimensions, were treated with several chemicals and concentrations and were installed in natural soil together non treated wood samples. Results concerning natural and induced durability are discussed; observations in Caribbean pine wood showed that the termite attack was responsible for failure of all non treated stakes and some samples treated with triazoles. Together Soft rot Type I and Tunnelling bacterial attack, termites are the main wood biodegradation agents.