Summary
In this research, we examined decay patterns occurring in Quercus castaneifolia wood under natural conditions compared with controlled decay in vivo. Pleurotus ostreatus‐infected oak wood was obtained from the Sari forests in the north of Iran. The species causing decay was verified as P. ostreatus using rDNA‐ITS sequencing of pure cultures from infected sapwood. In addition to P. ostreatus, two wood‐inhabiting Ascomycota, Trichoderma harzianum and T. lixii, were present. Mass loss in oak sapwood samples exposed to P. ostreatus for 60 days was around 10 per cent. Samples were prepared from both naturally decayed wood and wood decayed under controlled conditions and examined using microscopy. P. ostreatus was found to produce a simultaneous white‐rot decay pattern in both conditions.
The bioincising impact of Physisporinus vitreus and Xylaria longipes on the porous structure, and permeability of Douglas-fir containing compression wood was investigated. Fungal cultivation was carried out at 25°C and 85% relative humidity in an incubator for three time periods, namely, 15, 30 and 45 days. Safranin solution was injected into wood specimens to evaluate liquid permeability whereas air permeability was measured by the falling-water method. Wood exposure to both fungi enhanced permeability by increasing incubation period. However, the parallel compression strength of wood reduced. Microscopic imagery revealed degradation of bordered pits, bore-hole formation through tracheid walls as well as ray damage which are thought to be main reasons for improvements in air and liquid permeability. No pronounced differences were found between the fungi in their effects on permeability. Parenchyma rays were also shown to play an important role in the radial permeability of Douglas-fir compression wood.
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