Heartwood extractives and lignin content of different larch species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix </Emphasis>sp.) and relationships to brown-rot decay-resistance

The extractive content of lignin and the brown-rot decay-resistance against Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta were studied in larch heartwood from different species and origin (Larix decidua var. decidua, L. decidua var. sudetica, L. kaempferi , L. × eurolepis). The study material consisted of 106 trees from a 39-year old provenance trial in France. The hot-water-soluble extractives were very variable (from5.66% to 20.50% of dry weight), but there was no significant variation between the investigated species and origins. In contrast, acetone extractives, the total amount of phenolics and lignin showed significant differences. The concentration of phenolics and lignin was significantly higher in L. kaempferi and in L. × eurolepis than in L. decidua. The total phenolics content was strongly correlated with decay-resistance in all investigated larch origins. A higher concentration of phenolics goes hand in hand with higher decay resistance and phenolics might therefore be a promising parameter to rapidly evaluate the level of decay-resistance in larch.