The saprotrophic wood-degrading abilities of <i>Rigidoporus microporus</i>

Abstract

• Rigidoporus microporus isolates displayed varying saprotrophic capabilities on wood blocks of Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).• Percentage mass loss of (Hevea brasiliensis) wood blocks caused by the pathogenic Rigidoporus microporus was significantly higher than that observed with the endophytic isolate.• The endophytic isolate has very poor saprotrophic ability on Hevea brasiliensis wood blocks. AbstractSaprotrophic wood-decaying abilities of Rigidoporus microporus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) syn. Rigidoporus lignosus and the structural alterations induced in wood blocks of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg were studied. Mass loss of wood blocks was analyzed after 3 and 6 months respectively and the patterns of decay by pathogenic and endophytic isolates of this fungus were investigated using light microscopy. Effects of temperature on growth of the isolates on malt extract agar were also investigated. The R. microporus isolated from a non-H. brasiliensis host caused the highest percentage mass loss (27.2% after 6 months), followed by isolates ED310 (21.1%) and M13 (15.7%), both collected from diseased H. brasiliensis plantations. The isolate initially identified as an endophyte showed very low saprotrophic wood decay capability (4.3% after 6 months). The optimal temperature for growth of the isolates was 30 °C; except for the endophytic isolate which showed highest growth at 25 °C. Wood samples degraded by the R. microporus isolates showed simultaneous attack of wood cell walls, typical of white rot fungi. Results of the study indicate variability in the wood degrading abilities of the isolates and the potential differences in their physiology are discussed. Our findings further support the need for a taxonomical revision of the Rigidoporus genus.

Intraspecific comparative genomics of isolates of the Norway spruce pathogen (Heterobasidion parviporum) and identification of its potential virulence factors

“…Saprotrophic wood decay abilities were tested on heartwood blocks (2 × 1 × 0.5 cm) of Norway spruce according to a previous study [ 17 ]. Three wood blocks per treatment pre-dried to constant mass at 65 °C for 24 h were weighed, moisturized in MilliQ water for 1 min and placed in 100 ml flasks containing 1 g of vermiculite (fraction size: 1 mm) and 6 ml of nutrient solution (NH 4 NO 3 0.6 g/l, K 2 HPO 4 0.4 g/l, KH 2 PO 4 0.5 g/l, MgSO 4 .7H 2 O 0.4 g/l, glucose 1.0 g/l).…”

Virulence of Rigidoporus microporus Isolates Causing White Root Rot Disease on Rubber Trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Malaysia

“…Temperature is the most important environmental factor for regulating the growth and reproduction of fungi through its effect on conidial germination and appressorium development, and mycelial growth in this study. According to Oghenekaro et al [34], R. microporus isolate (MS564b) collected from the sapwood of wild Hevea brasiliensis showed the highest mean growth on MEA at 25 • C, while the rest of the isolates (MUCL45064, ED310, and M13) have the maximum hyphae growth at 30 • C. From this study, it was clear that the growth of R. microporus isolates were harshly affected with temperature lower than 25 • C and above 30 • C. Mycelial growth for all isolates were inhibited when the temperature exceed 40 • C.…”

Teak (Tectona Grandis) Decay Associated With

“…Attacks by Fomes sp. polyphage Nicole et al 1982, Geiger et al 1986, Geiger et al 1989, Liyanage 1997, Lachat et al 2006, Nagadesi and Arya 2013, Oghenekaro et al 2015. Different fungi causing white rot in teak wood, mostly by Lenzites stereoides, Lenzites sp., Ganoderma lucidu and Hexagonia apiaria, showed delignification and different pattern of wood decay through microscopic observation, for the first time in India.…”