PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WOOD OF Didymopanax morototoni (Aubl.) Decne. & Planch., TAMBOPATA, MADRE DE DIOS, PERU

Rosales-Solórzano E.-R.; Quispe-Vargas K.-W.; Ccahua Huamaní A.-A. · Floresta (2026) · DOI: 10.5380/rf.v56i1.97813

Resumen

The physical properties of wood are fundamental for evaluating the appropriate use of lesser-known forest species and for identifying alternatives to traditional commercial species, which are now vulnerable due to overexploitation. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the physical parameters of Didymopanax morototoni (Aubl.) Decne. & Planch. (sacha uvilla) wood. The methodology was developed in four stages: tree identification and collection, mechanical transformation of logs, selection of beams, and preparation of specimens according to the cutting direction, following Peruvian Technical Standards NTP 251.008, 251.010, 251.011, and 251.012, with a confidence level of α = 0.05. The results showed a moisture content (MC) of 90.295, a maximum moisture content (MMC) of 181.858, a free moisture content (FMC) of 149.192, an equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of 13.472, and a fiber saturation point (FSP) of 30.357. The normal density (ND) was 0.806 g/cm³, the oven-dry basic density (OD) was 0.492 g/cm³, and the basic density (BD) was 0.425 g/cm³. The recorded shrinkages were: longitudinal (L) 0.356, radial (R) 4.85, tangential (T) 8.89, and volumetric (V) 13.554. The wood porosity was 55.921 and the stability index (T/R) was 1.834, a value considered stable. Based on these results, D. morototoni was classified within group III, making it suitable for furniture, formwork, ceilings, and plywood. Copyright (c) 2026 Emer-Ronald Rosales-Solórzano; Kevin-Wilfredo Quispe-Vargas, Alexander-Aramiz Ccahua Huamani

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios