U.S.-Philippines Cooperative Research: Controlling Biological Deterioration of Philippines Woods Species by Application of Volatile Fungicides

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This proposal requests funds to permit Dr. Jeffrey J. Morrell, Department of Forest Products, Oregon State University, to pursue with Ms. Magdalena Y. Giron, Science Research Specialist, Forest Products Research and Development Institute, Republic of the Philippines, for a period of 24 months, a program of research to determine the feasibility of using wood fumigants to prolong the service life of Philippine wood species. These collaborators will evaluate the ability of fumigants to migrate through and eliminate decay fungi in Philippine wood species under controlled laboratory conditions, determine the effectiveness of fumigants for controlling fungal and insect infestations of wood products in service, and evaluate the ability of fumigants to prevent marine borer attack of Philippine wood species. Wood, as a material, has several advantages over steel, concrete, and plastic, among which are its high strength per unit weight, ability to withstand heavy loads without complete failure, pleasing appearance, and low energy requirement for finishing. Unfortunately, wood is susceptible to deterioration by a variety of biological agents such as fungi, insects, and marine borers when used in adverse environments. Annual losses in the United States on the order of $2 billion have been estimated. Although an estimate of annual losses in the Philippines is not available, deterioration of wood in tropical areas generally proceeds at a faster rate than in temperate regions. Fumigant treatment would lead to prolonged wood service life, decreased pressure to cut additional trees, and increased safety in wooden structures where decay would otherwise continue to weaken the wood. Ms. Giron is presently engaged in research in the field of the proposal in Dr. Morrell's laboratory where she is expected to complete requirements for the Ph. D. degree by December 1987. They have two publications in press on fumigant application to control decay in Philippine woods. This project is relevant to the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program which seeks to increase the level of cooperation between U.S. scientists and engineers and their counterparts in developing countries through the exchange of scientific information, ideas, skills, and techniques and through collaboration on problems of mutual benefit.