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Semi-Field Evaluation of Selected Plant Extracts for the Prevention of Termite Damage on Wood
Abstract
Termites are an essential member of the soil ecosystem and are found throughout the world. They utilize cellulose as a food source and cause the loss of economically important wood. The aim of this study was to evaluate aqueous extracts of selected botanicals against termite damage on wood. The treatments were Datura stramonium leaf and seed, Argemone mexicana leaf and seed, and Calotropis procera leaf against termite. Stock solutions of 10% were prepared from each selected botanical plant part. Further 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% concentrations were prepared from each stock solution and tested on wood. A standard synthetic termiticide (Chlorpyrifos 48%) and a control group (untreated wood pieces) were also used for comparison. A total of 264 wood pieces (132 Eucalyptus granules and 132 Cupressus lusitanica) were used for the experiment. From each wood type, 6 pieces were used for a negative (untreated) and a positive control (Chlorpyrifos 48%). The weight of each wood piece was recorded before and after exposure to termite-infected area as initial and final weight, respectively. This was done for both treatment and experimental wood pieces. The result revealed that all three botanicals had anti-termite activity and the action was concentration dependent. However, the overall results have shown that C. procera leaf was the most effective of all other botanicals. It brought less weight loss percentage (0.85±0.11) even compared to Chlorpyrifos 48% (1.6 ± 0.15). Therefore, C. procera is very important to control termite activity in woods in construction, furniture and other usages.
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