International Journal of Forestry and Wood Science IJFWS

Vol. 7(2), pp. 089-095, June, 2020. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2167-0465

Research Article

Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.) Wood

Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa) against
Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites
J.M. Owoyemi1, O.E. Falade2, *E. A. Iyiola3, O.D. Oladapo4
1,2,4, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
3School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Investigation of variation in density and the natural resistance of B. aethiopum wood was carried
out using samples along (top, middle and base) and across (inner and outer) the bole of the tree.
Samples collected were oven dried, weighed and subjected to field termite exposure test for a
period of 52 weeks, after which, they were withdrawn, cleaned, dried and re-weighed. The result
of this study showed variation in density of B. aethiopum across and along the bole of the tree
with an average density of 806.495 kg/m3 which falls within the high-density wood classification.
The result of the field exposure test showed a moderate correlation with the density. The
gravimetric weight loss assessment showed that the inner portion had higher weight loss than
the outer portion of the wood, revealing a higher resistance to termite attack. In order to ensure a
higher reliability of B. aethiopum wood in service, cant sawing method should be used to separate
the less durable inner portion of the wood from the outer portion.

Keywords: Borassus aethiopum; density; durability; field test; termites; weight loss.

INTRODUCTION

Wood is a natural polymer consisting primarily; cellulose,
hemicellulose, lignin in a matrix and extractive compounds
that can protect the wood; these are the principal source
of decay resistance in all species (Scheffer, 2003;
Nascimento et al., 2013). The decay resistance among
woods vary between and within individual trees (Martti et
al., 2003; Owoyemi and Olaniran, 2014). Woods with a
high degree of natural resistance have a relative high
percentage of biocidal extractives. The total extractive
content of some wood species can be as high as 20 to
30%. Examples of naturally resistant wood with high
extractive contents are Cedars and Redwood (Davies et
al., 2014). Termiticidal resistance of wood species varies
depending on many factors including natural durability,
density, extractive types and quantities; and position of the
extractives within the wood cells either in the cell wall or
cell lumen (Syofuna et al., 2012; Tascioglu et al., 2012).
Extractives from naturally durable species can be isolated
and utilized to increase the durability of non-durable and
non-refractory wood species (Thevenon et al., 2001;
Owoyemi et al., 2016). Due to the decline in supply of
matured indigenous wood species, effort is gradually being
shifted to lesser known and lesser used wood species
especially those that are naturally durable.
Termites, one of the enemies of wood, are endogenic
exopterygotous insect which belongs to the order Isoptera
and it is one of the numerous organisms that inhabit the
soil. They are social insects living in colonies and are
polymorphic social insects that live in self-constructed
mounds called Termitarium (Ayuke et al., 2004; Robert et
al., 2007). They are soft-bodied, moderate to small size
insects with biting mouthparts. The wings in termites are
temporary, long and slender and in two pairs that are
similar to each other (Robert et al., 2007). They are
deciduous and are quickly shed with a single flick when the
swarming termites find a new nest site, pair up and dig in
*Corresponding Author: Ebenezer A. Iyiola, School of
Forestry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New
Zealand. Email: ebenezer.iyiola@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
Co-Author 1Email: jmowoyemi@futa.edu.ng
2
Email: oluwatozyn@gmail.com
4
Email: adesogatobi@gmail.com

Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.) Wood Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa) against Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites
Owoyemi et al. 90

to form a new colony (Ekpo and Onigbinde, 2007). to ASTM D2395-14 (2014). The weight of the oven-dried
Termites mostly feed on dead plant material and cellulose, samples were taken and recorded using a weighing
generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal balance and the volume of the oven dried wood samples
dung. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the were taken using a digital venier calliper. The values
subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of recorded were used to calculate the density of the wood
wood and plant matter is of considerable ecological using EQUATION 1.
importance (Inward et al., 2007; Coastal et al., 2013). In 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ) = (1)
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
some cultures, they are used as food by various animals
……E EEEEquatii…
including man and have been identified to have a highly
Field exposure test
nutritious value (Katayama et al., 2008; Arhin et al., 2018).
An active timber graveyard at the Federal University of
B. aethiopum belongs to monocot group; from the family of
Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria was used for
Arecaceae (Bosch et al., 2002). It is an unbranched palm
termites’ resistance test. The sites was cleared and
growing up to 20 meters tall (Salako et al., 2018). B.
sprinkled with wood shavings to induce termite’s activities.
aethiopum are abundant and characteristic in all types of
The untreated stakes of B. aethiopum wood with a known
savannah of the region. It is widespread across much of
oven dried weight were buried at a depth of 150 mm below
tropical Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia, south to northern
the ground surface and at a spacing of 1000 mm by 1000
south Africa, Nigeria, among others (Owoyemi et al., 2015;
mm according to their position in the tree (i.e. top, middle
Falade and Owoyemi, 2018). The tree species isfrequently
and base, also middle and outer) for ease of assessment
used as posts and for construction of bridges, other
(PLATE 1).
products including door frames, roof materials, tool
handles and drums (Salako et al., 2018). Recent studies
on the wood have shown its excellent usage in
constructions because of its comparable strength
properties with Khaya ivorensis and Mitragyna ciliata
(Owoyemi et al., 2015). Also, Ngargueudedjim et al. (2015)
made it known that the thermal conductivity of B.
aethiopum wood depends on its anatomical structure,
indicating that the inner part of the wood are insulating.
Due to the use of B. aethiopum wood for construction,
there is necessity to investigate the durability of the wood
which gave rise to this study. The objective of this study is
(i) to determine the variation in density of the stand of B.
aethiopum longitudinally and transversely, (ii) to evaluate
the resistance of untreated B. aethiopum wood to termites’ Plate 1. B. aethiopum wooden stakes at the timber
attack and (iii) to investigate the relationship between the graveyard.
density and rate of termite attack.
Visual rating assessment
MATERIALS AND METHOD The B. aethiopum stakes were inspected weekly for a
period of 52 weeks (one year) for visual assessment using
Wood samples a visual rating assessment table (TABLE 1). This weekly
observation was conducted using a gravimetric method to
Wood samples of B. aethiopum were collected from three assess the level of termites’ damage and the samples
standing B. aethiopum trees obtained from Iwo, Osun were rated as specified in standard American Wood
State, Nigeria, West Africa. The trees were felled and sawn Protection Association, AWPA E1-09 (2009) as stated
into bottom, middle and top at 25%, 50% and 75% portions below:
respectively. Further sawing into sample sizes was done
in the Wood Workshop, at the Department of Forestry and Table 1. Visual rating assessment table (AWPA, 2009).
Wood Technology, in the Federal University of
Type of attack Ratings
Technology, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. The B. aethiopum
of attack
billets were sawn into 35 x 35 x 300 mm sample sizes,
Sound, surface nibbles permitted 10
ovendried at 103 ± 2°C until constant weight was
Light attack 9
achieved. These were subjected to termite attack at the
Moderate attack penetration 7
timber graveyard for natural durability test. Also, another
Heavy attack, 30 – 40% of the wood cross 4
set of samples were sawn into 20 x 20 x 60 mm and oven
section eaten up by termites
dried at 103 ± 2°C for 24 hours until constant weight was
Failure, over 50% of the wood cross-section 0
achieved. These were used to determine the density
eaten up by termites
distribution along and across B. aethiopum bole according

Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.) Wood Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa) against Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites
 Int. J. For. Wood Sci. 91

Weight loss assessment

The wooden stakes of B. aethiopum were withdrawn,

properly dusted (removal of dirts) and dried after 52 weeks
of exposure. The samples were re-weighed and recorded
to assess the extent of weight loss due to termite attack
using EQUATION 2.
𝑇 −𝑇
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 (%) = ( 3 4) 𝑥 100 (2)
𝑇3
Where: T3 is weight before exposure to termite (in gm).
T4 is weight after termite attack (in gm).

Termites’ identification
Figure 1. Density of B. aethiopum wood longitudinally and
Materials for termite’s identification include microscope, transversely.
chloroform, cotton wool, conical flask and digital camera.
The identification was carried out by collecting sample of The result of analysis of variance (ANOVA) (TABLE 2)
termites at the timber graveyard. Species of solider showed that there was significant difference (p obtained =
termites were collected and placed in the conical flask with 0.00 and 0.00) at p<0.05 in the longitudinal and transverse
cotton wool. Chloroform was added to the termites in the direction while there was no significant difference in the
conical flask for preservation and ease of identification. interaction between the longitudinal and transverse
Identification was done under the digital microscope. direction. The follow up test carried out on the density of
B. aethiopum in the longitudinal direction showed that was
Data Analysis no significant difference (p<0.05) between the base and
middle portion while there was significant difference
The study was conducted in a 2 x 3 factorial experiment in between the top and middle portion as well as the top and
Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The data base portion (TABLE 3).
obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS V21). The descriptive statistics and Table 2. Meandensity of B. aethiopum in the study area.
Pearson correlation were carried out to determine the Source Sum of Df Mean F cal P-
relationship between the density of wood and its natural Square square value
durability. Longitudinal 466275.932 2 233137.966 11.664 0.00*
direction
Transverse 1755527.93 1 1755527.93 87.831 0.00*
RESULTS direction
Longitudinal* 204717.44 2 102358.72 5.121 0.08ns
Density of Borassus aethiopum Transverse
Error 1678964.43 84 19987.67
There was significant variation in the density of B. Total 4105485.73 89
aethiopum wood from the bottom to the top, and from inner *significant at 5% probability
to outer. The density was higher at the bottom, followed by
the middle portion and low at the top; it was higher at the Table 3. Follow up test for density of B. aethiopum in the
outer portion than the inner portion. Longitudinally, the longitudinal direction.
density from the outer portion ranges from 910.70 kg/m 3 to Longitudinal direction Mean value
999.10 kg/m3 while the density from the inner portion Base 873.92a
ranges from 502.78 kg/m3 to 748.6 kg/m3. The result Middle 838.82a
revealed that the density of wood from the base (outer) has Top 706.74b
the highest density value with 999.10 kg/m 3 while the top Alphabets with the same letters show that there is no
(inner) had the least density value with 502.78 kg/m 3 significant difference.
(FIGURE 1).

Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.) Wood Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa) against Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites
Owoyemi et al. 92

Natural resistance of Borassus aethiopum wood to The ANOVA for the weight loss in TABLE 5 showed that
termites there was significant difference at p<0.05 in the
longitudinal direction while there was no significant
The results of visual assessment of termites’ attack on B. difference at the transverse direction as well as the
aethiopum wood samples longitudinally and transversely interaction between the longitudinal and the transverse
for a period of 52 weeks showed that showed that termites’ direction. The follow up test carried out showed that there
attack started from the second week of exposure on the was significant difference between the top and the middle,
wood samples from the Top Inner and Base Inner. For the while there was no significant difference between the top
Top Outer, termites’ attack started from the sixth week of and the base, as well as at the middle and base (TABLE
exposure while termite attack started on the twenty fourth 6).
week of exposure for Base Outer and Middle Inner while
there was no termite attack on the Middle Outer for the Table 5. Mean weight loss of B. aethiopum in the study
period of exposure. Wood samples from Base Outer (BO), area.
Middle Outer (MO) and Inner Outer (IO) have a greater
Source Sum of Df Mean F cal P-value
resistance to termite’s attack when compared to the inner
Square square
portion of the wood samples. At the end of 52 weeks, the
Longitudinal 749.17 2 374.59 2.50 0.028*
Top Inner has the highest rate of termite’s attack while the
direction
Middle Outer has the lowest rate of termite attack. FIGURE
Transverse 10.93 1 10.93 0.073 0.788ns
2 showed the graphical representation of the mean values
direction
for the visual rating of B. aethiopum wood samples
longitudinally and transversely for a period of 52 weeks. Longitudinal* 355.57 2 177.79 1.19 0.310ns
Transverse
Error 12590.83 84 149.89
Total 13706.51 89
*significant at 5% probability
ns not significant at 5% probability

Table 6. Follow up test for B. aethiopum weight loss in the

longitudinal direction.
Longitudinal direction Mean value
Top 8.40a
Base 4.44ab
Middle 1.35b
Figure 2. Effect of time on the resistance of B. aethiopum Alphabets with the same letter showed that there was no
to termite attack for 52 weeks. significant difference.
Gravimetric weight loss assessment Correlation between density and rate of termites’
The result of percentage weight loss of B. aethiopum attack
showed that the inner portion of the wood had higher
percentage weight loss compared to the outer portion of The correlation result in TABLE 7 showed that there was
the wood for the top, middle and the base respectively. The significant moderate correlation between rate of termites’
inner portion of the top has the highest weight loss with attack and density of B. aethiopum wood.
9.87% while the outer portion of the middle has the lowest
Table 7. Correlation between density and weight loss of B.
weight loss with 0.75% (TABLE 4). It was revealed that the
aethiopum.
middle part (both the inner and the outer portion) has
Density_Borassus Correlation
higher resistance to termites’ attack when compared to the
top and the base part. Density_ Pearson 1 0.527
Borassus Correlation 0.000*
Table 4. Mean values for percentage weight loss of B. Sig.
aethiopum. Correlation Pearson 0.527 1
Longitudinal direction Transverse direction Mean value Correlation 0.000*
Top Inner 9.87 ± 20.58 Sig.
Outer 6.93 ± 11.59 * Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Middle Inner 1.95 ± 3.68
Identification of termites
Outer 0.75 ± 0.69
Base Inner 7.55 ± 17.89 The termite species at the timber graveyard located at the
Outer 1.33 ± 2.75 Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State,
Number before “±” denotes mean values of replicates and Nigeria was identified as Macrotermes sybhylinus (PLATE
the number after “±” denotes standard deviation 2).

Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.) Wood Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa) against Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites

Plate 2. Adult of Macrotermes sybhylinus (soldier).
DISCUSSION
Natural resistance of Borassus aethiopum wood to
termites as related to visual rating assessment and
weight loss
Failure of wood in service does not occur overnight but it
happens over a period of time due to termites’ attack.
Results showed that there was greater resistance at the
outer portion of the wood when compared to the inner
(Figure 2). In this study, it was noted that the base was
susceptible to termites’ attack whichwas due to ageing
factor of the tree and density of the wood as it dictates
wood quality (Asibe et al., 2013). This is in agreement with
other studies as juvenile wood is not durable with a weaker
strength (Zobel 1997; Schimleck et al., 2018). During
growth process, the juvenile wood grows first, and as the
tree grows, the inner part of the base of the tree starts to
age; this will reduce the density, durability and mechanical
properties of that part of the tree (Stergios et al., 2007).
During the field test, it was observed that termites attack
the wood samples of B. aethiopum in a way that the softer
part that bounds the stalk together was seriously attacked
and the thick material (vascular bundle tissues) was left
unaffected. The portion of the wood that was embedded
with these vascular bundles (the outer portion) was not
attacked by the termites when compared to those that
have less of it (the inner portion). This is in consonance
with the work of Ogunsanwo and Ojo (2017); Acheampong
et al. (2019) where it was reported that termites extremely
attacked the cores (inner portion) and could not devour the
peripheries of the wood. However, this was in contrast with
the work of Jean-Baptiste et al. (2016), where it was
reported that the chemical components of the heart wood
of Dicorynia guianensis contributed greatly to the natural
durability of the species.
The effect of tree position (top, middle and base; inner and
outer) on the resistance of B. aethiopum showed that the
percentage weight loss for the inner portion is higher when
compared to that of outer portion for the top, middle and
the base. This has a moderate correlation with the density
because the density of the outer portion of the wood was
higher than the inner portion. This agreed with the study of
Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.) Wood Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa) against Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites
Int. J. For. Wood Sci. 93
Peralta et al. (2004); Falade and Owoyemi (2018) where it
was reported that there was little/moderate correlation in
wood consumption rate by termites and wood densities.
There was significant difference in the longitudinal
direction and also in the interaction between the
longitudinal and the transverse portion of the wood; there
was no significant difference in the transverse direction.
Effect of density on the resistance of Borassus
aethiopum wood to termites
Variation in the density of B. aethiopum wood showed that
the density at the outer portion is higher than the inner
portion. This was contrary with the density from normal
wood species such as Tectona grandis L.f., where the
density of the inner portion (heart wood) is greater than the
outer portion (Sap wood), this was because B. aethiopum
is a monocot wood (Miranda et al., 2011). The result of
density of B. aethiopum in this study is corroborated by
Owoyemi et al. (2015) who assessed the physical and
mechanical properties of B. aethiopum, the study stated
that the density of B. aethiopum was higher at the outer
part than the inner part of the wood. Furthermore, it
corroborates with the work of Ngargueudedjim et al.
(2015); Asibe et al. (2013) where it was reported that
density of B. aethiopum wood was low in the heartwood
and great in the outskirt of the wood. In summary, B.
aethiopum wood had density value of 806.49 kg/m 3 which
fall within the wood density classification of high-density
wood as classified by Owoyemi and Olaniran, 2014. Wood
species within this classification is considered to be
naturally durable and can be used as constructional
timbers. B. aethiopum wood can therefore be compared to
wood species in high and medium density classes for
structural and constructional purposes (Owoyemi and
Olaniran, 2014). There was a moderate correlation
between density of B. aethiopum and the rate of termite
attack implying that the higher the density, the lower the
rate of termite attack and the lower the density, the higher
the rate of termite attack (Regina et al., 2004). Therefore,
density has significant impact on the level of effects of
biodegradating agent on wood (Shanbhag and
Sundararaj, 2013).
Termite identification
Macrotermes sybhylinus was identified as termite species
present at the timber graveyard of the Federal University
of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The result
affirmed with the findings of Owoyemi et al. (2020) where
it was reported that Macrotermes sybhylinus was identified
as the termites present on the timber graveyard at
Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria. Owoyemi et al.
(2016) also reported that Macrotermes species are highly
distributed in Nigeria, examples of these termites include:
Macrotermes sybhylinus (Rainforest), Macrotermes
crucifer (Rainforest), Macrotermes bellicosus etc.
Macrotermes sybhylinus species were recorded as the
most serious ones in the study area. The result was in
Owoyemi et al. 94
accordance with the study by Thacker (2002) where most
pest species under favourable conditions have a high
reproductive rate and thus may cause habitat destruction
when ensuring their own survival.
CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES
 This study affirmed the natural durability of B.
aethiopum wood but varied longitudinally and
transversely. The outer part had higher density than
the inner part of the studied wood. The natural
durability of the wood was due to the thick vascular
bundles that was not attacked by the termites. This
material was concentrated in the outer portion of the
wood (with higher density) than the inner portion (with
lower density) there by rendering the outer portion to
be less susceptible to termite attack. The juvenile
wood had lower density compared to the outerwood
making the wood to be less durable and susceptible to
termite. This study proved that the outer portion of the
wood is durable and can stay longer in service in an
area exposed to biodegradating agents. For proper
utilization, cant sawing method should be used during
conversion to separate the outer portion from the less
durable inner. In future, the research can be oriented
by using preservatives or modifications in order to
improve the properties of the less durable inner portion
of B. aethiopum wood.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the
authors.
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Citation: Owoyemi JM, Falade OE, Iyiola EA, Oladapo OD
(2020). Natural Durability of Borassus aethiopum (Mart.)
Wood Grown in Iwo, Osun State (Nigeria, West Africa)
against Macrotermes sybhylinus Termites. International
Journal of Forestry and Wood Science, 7(2): 089-095.
Copyright: © 2020 Owoyemi et al. This is an open-access
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