Abstract

Sapstain by fungi is a major problem which limits the wider utilisation of rubber wood in Kerala, India. Betryodiplodia theobromae is the dominant fungus causing sapstain in rubber wood. A study on the strength properties of rubber wood infected by B. theobromae was carried out for a period of four months and it was found that the fungus caused reduction in weight, density and bending strength, but no reduction in compressive strength