PERFORMANCE OF CARBENDAZIM AND PROCHLORAZ COMPOUNDS AGAINST SAPSTAIN AND MOULD ON RUBBERWOOD OF DIFFERENT CLONES

New formulations of environmentally sound preservative were sought to protect rubberwood against staining fungi. Sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) was the most effective anti-stain for rubberwood but its use has been banned due to its hazardous nature towards mammals. A study was conducted to determine the performance of a mixture of carbendazim and prochloraz (C+P) compounds against sapstain (Lasiodiplodia theobromae) and mould (Fusarium solani) on 4 clones of rubberwood. Solution concentrations between 0.1-0.5% (v/v) were used to treat thp rubberwood blocks and were tested for its efficacy in inhibiting the growth of the fungi on the rubberwoods. NaPCP solution (0.5 and 1% w/v) was used and the treated blocks were served for comparison. Untreated rubberwood clones were readily attacked by the fungi. The growth intensity of the sapstain on the rubberwoods was more vigorous than the mould within 4 weeks of incubation period. A 0.1% (v/v) C+P was able to protect clones IAN 873 and RRIM 703 against the sapstain and a 0.25% C+P to protect clones BPM 9 and RRIM 703 for at least 4 weeks after treatment. For NaPCP solution, a 0.5% (w/v) was needed to control the sapstain on clones RRIM 703 and IAN 873, and more than 1% on clones BPM 9 and RRIM 703. A higher dosage of C+P ( 0.5%) was needed to completely inhibit the growth of F. solani on the rubberwoods.