Interactions between Scytalidium species and brown- or white-rot basidiomycetes in birch wood

Summary Growth and subsequent decay by seven basidiomycetes in birch wood blocks was inhibited by three Scytalidium isolates. Scytalidium initially colonized the surface of the blocks and gradually overgrew the basidiomycetes. In individual wood blocks from 11 Scytalidium-basidiomycete paired treatment combinations, the basidiomycete was not inhibited throughout the entire wood block. These wood blocks demonstrated interspecific interactions and antagonism between the different fungi. The white-rot fungi responded to isolates of Scytalidium by occluding xylem cells with masses of hyphae, forming pseudosclerotial plates in the zone of initial interaction. Scytalidium appeared to gain access into portions of wood colonized by the basidiomycetes only after substantial decay had resulted by the wood decay fungus.     

Comparative study on the durability of heat-treated White Birch (Betula papyrifera) subjected to the attack of brown and white rot fungi

Abstract

The effect of heat treatment on decay resistance of white birch was evaluated for different incubation periods ranging from 2 to 12 weeks using three species of brown rot and one species of white rot fungus. The results of weight loss tests showed that the white rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, effectively degraded the untreated wood (73.5%). While the degradation of untreated wood by brown rot fungi species, Gloephyllum trabeum (11.6%) and Conifora puteana (6.2%), was considerably less compared to T. versicolor, the third brown rot fungi studied, Poria placenta, caused an appreciable degradation of the same species (52.4%). The results clearly showed that the heat treatment reduced the effect of fungi attack on white birch. Increasing the heat treatment temperature from 195 to 215°C resulted in reduction of weight loss, consequently, reduction in fungal attack. As an example, the weight loss reductions due to T. versicolor, P. placenta, G. trabeum and C. puteana attack was 62.2%, 71.3%, 89.6% and 100%, respectively, compared to the weight loss of untreated wood when it is heat treated at 215°C. Thus, these results confirmed that the heat treatment increased the biological resistance of white birch.     

Changes of decay and termite durabilities of Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) wood due to high-temperature kiln drying processes

We investigated the effects of high-temperature drying schedules (120°–130°C) on decay and termite feeding of Japanese larch timbers. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to investigate changes of the wood components. Decay and termite feeding tests showed that specimens dried under high-temperature schedules were susceptible against a decaying fungus Fomitopsis palustris and attacks from termites Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes speratus. These drying schedules changed chemical components, which were suggested by the thermal analytical result compared to the control sample. The results of this study indicated that the acceleration of termite feeding takes place even under temperatures that are comparatively lower than that used in our previous research in which 170°C steaming treatment was applied to Japanese larch wood. Decay durability against a brown rot fungus also decreased, possibly from production of low molecular weight fragments when hemicellulose decreased during the high-temperature drying processes.     

Fungal decay resistance of wood impregnated with parahalophenyl para-tolyl sulfonamides

Summary We are investigating wood decay biocides that are both effective in protecting wood from decay and more environmentally compatible than other biocides. A series of halophenyl sulfonamides were synthesized and characterized by infrared and neuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Wood impregnated with these compounds was tested for resistance to decay as well as water leaching. Wood impregnated with para-iodophenyl or para-fluorophenyl para-tolyl sulfonamides resisted decay by brown- and white-rot fungi. For wood impregnated with para-iodophenyl para-tolyl sulfonamide, threshold retention with the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum was 9.1 mmol/ 100 g solution for unleached blocks. For leached blocks, weight loss was very high (24.6%), which indicated that threshold retention will be substantially higher than 9.1 mmol/100 g solution. With the white-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor, threshold retentions were 2.9 and 5.6 mmol/100 g solution, respectively, for unleached and leached blocks. Leaching of the blocks treated with the iodo compound slightly decreased resistance to decay by C. versicolor. For wood impregnated with parafluorophenyl para-tolyl sulfonamide, threshold retentions with both G. trabeum and C. versicolor were very close to 9.0 and 9.2 mmol/100 g solution, respectively, for leached and unleached blocks. Leaching had a little effect on resistance to decay by both fungi. Wood impregnated with parachlorophenyl or bromophenyl para-tolyl sulfonamide was ineffective in resisting decay by both fungi.     

Effect of thermal modification temperature on the mechanical properties,dimensional stability,and biological durability of black spruce (Picea mariana)

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of thermal modification temperature on the mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and biological durability of Picea mariana. The boards were thermally modified at different temperatures 190, 200 and 210 °C. The results indicated that the thermal modification of wood caused a significant decrease in the modulus of rupture (MOR) after 190 °C, while the modulus of elasticity (MOE) seemed less affected with a slight increase up to 200 °C and slight decrease with further increase in temperature. The hardness of the thermally modified wood increased in the axial direction. This increase was also observed in tangential and axial directions but at a lesser extent. The final value was slightly higher in axial direction and lower in radial and tangential directions compared to those of the untreated wood. Dimensional stability improved with thermal modification in the three directions compared to the dimensional stability of unmodified wood. The fungal degradation results showed that the decay resistance of thermally modified wood against the wood-rotting fungi Trametes versicolor and Gloephyllum trabeum improved compared to that of the untreated wood. By contrast, the thermal modification of P. mariana had a limited effect on the degradation caused by the fungus Poria placenta.     

Environment-friendly short-term protection of palm wood against mould and rot fungi

Felled palm trunks are susceptible to fungi as long as their moisture content is above fibre saturation. During this period, palm wood has to be protected against mould and rot fungi. The study was aimed at testing environment-friendly organic acids for their protecting efficiency. Small samples of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) wood were treated with weak organic acids and subsequently infected by moulds and wood-decay fungi. Short dipping of the samples in solutions of 5% acetic acid and propionic acid, respectively, protected all samples for two months from colonization by Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp. and by a natural infection. Boric acid (4%) used in practice for protection was ineffective. Decay tests with the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, the brown-rot species Coniophora puteana and the soft-rot fungus Chaetomium globosum showed that both acids prevented most samples from fungal colonization for three weeks and reduced the decay considerably during two months.     

A molecular diagnostic assay for the detection and identification of wood decay fungi of conifers

Ten taxon‐specific primers were designed to amplify the Internal Transcribed Spacer of the rRNA operon of several important decay fungi of coniferous wood, including Armillaria spp., Echinodontium spp., Fomitopsis pinicola, Fuscoporia torulosa, Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato (s.l.), Onnia spp., Phaeolus schweinitzii, Phellinus weirii s.l., Pholiota spp. and Porodaedalea spp. Primers designed in this study and in a previous one for the identification of Laetiporus sulphureus and Stereum spp. were combined in two multiplex PCRs, which were tested for efficiency and specificity, and detected at least 1 pg of fungal target DNA. Target DNA at concentrations of 10^?1 pg or lower can be detected with this assay using SYBR^® Green Real‐Time PCR. Validation assays performed on 129 naturally infected wood samples or fruiting bodies confirmed the reliability of the multiplex PCR‐based diagnostic method. This method represents a simple and rapid diagnostic tool for the detection of a number of destructive wood decay fungi of conifer wood.     

Lethal temperature for pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, in infested wood using radio frequency (RF) energy

We evaluated radio frequency (RF) dielectric heating for eradication of pinewood nematodes (PWN) in infested wood. Thirteen temperatures were tested (from ambient to 70 °C) on small wood samples (2.5 × 3.8 × 0.64 cm) to determine the minimum lethal temperature (100 % mortality), which was 56 °C [based on infra-red (IR) thermal images data 55.5–57.4 °C] with a 1 min hold time. We also used thermal probes inside the wood to confirm that temperatures were ≥56 °C. Thirty additional samples were tested bracketing the minimum lethal temperature using 54, 56 and 58 °C with additional replications to produce the minimum sample size equivalent of 100 % mortality of at least 93,616 nematodes to satisfy the Probit 9 efficacy requirement. This minimum lethal temperature was further verified by treating infested large wood blocks (10.2 × 10.2 × 25.4 cm). All samples that met or exceeded the 56 °C lethal temperature for the required 1 min hold time (as measured by probes inserted in the wood and on the wood surface by IR) produced 100 % mortality. The sample size required to show Probit 9 efficacy was also satisfied. This study supports the consideration of RF in addition to microwave (MW) dielectric heating as alternative treatments of wood packaging material for inclusion in ISPM No. 15, provided the treatment delivers the target lethal temperature throughout the profile of the material in industrial scale operations.     

Interaction between Epicoccum purpurascens and xylophagous basidiomycetes on wood blocks

Epicoccum purpurascens, a component of the bark micromycota, was evaluated as a potential biocontrol agent for three decay‐causing hymenomycetes frequently found in Buenos Aires city trees, Ganoderma platense, Inonotus rickii and Rigidoporus ulmarius. Treatments consisted of dual cultures of E. purpurascens and xylophagous fungi on box elder (Acer negundo) wood blocks. Two inoculation sequences were tested: (i) the biocontrol agent as the first microorganism inoculated followed by the pathogen; and (ii) the xylophagous fungus as the first microorganism inoculated followed by the biocontrol agent. After 3 months of incubation, percentage dry weight loss was calculated. When E. purpurascens was allowed to colonize wood blocks before the introduction of the xylophagous fungus, dry weight loss was significantly reduced in all instances. However, as a secondary colonizer, E. purpurascens mildly reduced the weight loss caused by G. platense, had no effect on degradation by I. rickii and increased wood weight loss by R. ulmarius.     

Anatomical characterization of decayed wood in standing light red meranti and identification of the fungi isolated from the decayed area

To further our understanding of wood decay in living light red meranti (Shorea smithiana) trees, microscopic characteristics of the cell and cell wall degradations of S. smithiana wood in the presence of the decay fungi, the identity of the causal fungi, and the decay potential and pattern by an isolated fungus were investigated. Cell wall degradations, including cell wall thinning, bore holes formation, rounded pit erosion, and eroded channel opening were clearly observed under light and scanning electron microscopy. In transverse view, many large voids resulting from a coalition of degraded wood tissue appeared in the decayed canker zone. All these observations suggest the well-known simultaneous decay pattern caused by white-rot fungi. By phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA, a basidiomycete fungus isolated from the decayed wood was identified as Schizophyllum commune. The degradation caused by this fungus on sound S. smithiana wood in an in situ laboratory decay test was classified as the early stage of simultaneous decay, and showed a similar pattern to that observed in the wood samples naturally decayed.     

Factors of affecting the spring back of compressedPaulownia wood

In order to increase its hardness and gravity as well as dimension stability, the technology of hot-compressing onPaulownia wood was studied. The main factors of affecting the spring back of the compressedPaulownia samples were discussed. It was discovered that every factor in the experiment had obvious effects on wood hardness and dimension stability of compressed wood. When the MC (Moisture Content) of experimental specimens was 13.89%, it was useful to spray water on the surface of samples before hot pressing. The best result was the recovery of compression set could decrease from 90.69% of untreated wood to 45.51% of soaking specimens into PF (Phenol Formaldehyde) water solution. The hot pressing time was 8 min at 190°C. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Moisture storage and transport properties of preservative treated and untreated southern pine wood

Moisture storage and transport properties of southern pine (Pinus spp.) wood were measured for implementation into hygrothermal models. Specimens were untreated or pressure-treated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) preservative. Moisture storage was characterized with sorption isotherms in the hygroscopic region (high capillary pressures) and documented with mercury intrusion porosimetry in the overhygroscopic region (low capillary pressures). The data were then combined into a single moisture retention curve as a function of capillary pressure. Moisture transport was evaluated from steady-state water vapor transmission and dynamic capillary water absorption experiments. These data were used to calculate the moisture permeability over the entire range of capillary pressures using the diffusivity approach of Carmeliet et al. Moisture storage and transport properties were similar for the untreated and ACQ-treated southern pine, except for the permeability of the treated wood which was lower in the radial direction. The data presented here can be used to improve the accuracy of hygrothermal and combined hygrothermal–corrosion modeling simulations.     

Effect of post treatment temperature and humidity conditions on fixation performance of CCA-C treated red pine and southern pine

introductionWaterbornepreservativesareamajorcomponentofthewood-treatingindustrybecauseoftheireaseofapplication,lowcost,andthecleanappearanceofthewoodattertreatment.Theuseofchromatedcopperarsenate(CCA)preservativesintheUSAhasgrownfroma14%shareofthewoodpreservativesmarketin1977to73%in1987(Micklewright1993).ThisismainlyduetotheincreasinguseofCCAtreatedwoodasdecksandoutdoorstructures.ThewaterbornepreservativeCCAhasbecomeoneofthemosteffectivetreatmentsforNorthAmericanwoodproduCts,usedinapplic…     

Colour responses from wood,thermally modified in superheated steam and pressurized steam atmospheres

Abstract

In this study, two different methods were used to produce thermally modified wood. One was carried out in a typical kiln drying chamber using superheated steam (SS) and the other used pressurized steam in an autoclave cylinder (PS). Overall, both processes followed the same principles and the wood was not treated with any chemicals. Two wood species were studied, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Treatments in the autoclave were carried out under pressure using temperatures of 160°C, 170°C and 180°C. Temperatures of 190°C and 212°C were used in treatments in the chamber at normal air pressure. The colour was measured using L*C*H colour space. Results for both species showed that similar L* (lightness) can be reached at lower (20–30°C) temperatures using PS compared with SS treatment. The hue angle of PS-treated wood was smaller than that of SS-treated wood. No significant difference in C* (chroma) was detected. The difference in E value between PS- and SS-treated wood was smaller for Norway spruce than for Scots pine. The residual moisture content was about 10% higher in wood treated by the PS process compared with the SS process.     

Characterization of host–fungus interactions among wood decay fungi associated with Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss (Meliaceae) in Singapore

Tree pruning creates wounds that are amenable for wood decay fungi colonization. To characterize the dynamic host–fungus interactions at this location in Senegal mahogany (Khaya senegalensis), in vitro and in vivo pathogenicity tests were conducted with wood decay fungi associated with this tropical tree species. Fomitiporella caryophylii, Hymenochaete murina and Phellinus noxius isolates were included in this experiment following their frequent isolation from Senegal mahogany pruning wounds. The evaluated isolates demonstrated unique host interactions in laboratory tests that suggest equally divergent prognoses for living Senegal mahoganies affected by these fungi. Although all evaluated fungal isolates successfully breached naturally induced reaction zones, P. noxius alone caused significant mass loss to incubated wood blocks. In addition, P. noxius caused extensive wood decay after inoculation in living hosts, successfully illustrating Koch's postulates for this host–fungus relationship. The wood decay ability, invasiveness and facultative parasitism demonstrated by P. noxius suggest its dominant role in wood decay columns below pruning wounds on living Senegal mahoganies. These results highlight the importance of characterizing specific host–fungus interactions and their implications for wood decay severity below pruning wounds in living trees.     

Eucalyptus wood decay: effects on productivity and quality of cellulose

We evaluated the effect of wood decay, caused by fungi Hypoxylon spp., on pulp productivity and quality. Wood samples with different proportions of contamination (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) were used to produce Kraft pulp under the same pulping conditions. In the second step, cookings were performed to achieve the same Kappa number (Kn = 17 ± 1), varying only the alkali charge. Wood and pulp were also analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The risk of occurrence of wood decay reached its maximum between September and October, under inappropriate storage conditions and juvenile wood without bark. It was observed that the increase in the decayed content (DC) of wood chips affected the Kappa number (Kn), according to the model Kn = 1/(0.0595?0.00324*DC^0.34102). An increase of 38.7% of alkali charge was necessary to reach the same Kappa number with decayed wood. The yield for the contaminated wood was lower (48%) when compared to non‐contaminated wood (53%). Once contaminated, the wood chips demand more severe cooking conditions because of the difficulty of impregnation. This condition affected the pulp quality, reducing its viscosity by 30% and hemicelluloses content by 5%. In addition, losses of resistance were also observed in the final pulp, where the zero span and tensile indexes were reduced by 5 and 16%, respectively. The SEM observations showed that the ascostroma fungi tissue was not totally degraded during the Kraft process, resulting in the deposition of pitch on fibres. Considering the results achieved, it was possible to conclude that the eucalyptus wood decay, caused by the fungi Hypoxylon spp., significantly affects the pulp process and quality.     

Effects of fire-retardant treatment and wood grain on three-dimensional changes of sandwich panels made from bubinga decorative veneer

ABSTRACT

The effects of a fire-retardant treatment (FRT) and wood grain on three-dimensional changes of aircraft sandwich panels were evaluated. Unvarnished and varnished panels having the outer decorative layer made with bubinga (Guibourtia spp.) were studied. Half of the samples from each type of panel received an FRT (phosphate-based) on all three layers of the decorative plywood. The other half had the two inner layers treated and the outer layer untreated. Three different figures formed by the rotary cutting and grain orientation were identified and separately studied on veneer surfaces. Samples pre-conditioned to 20°C and 40% relative humidity (RH) underwent an adsorption (25°C, 90% RH) and then a desorption (25°C, 40% RH) treatments. Changes in moisture content (MC), swelling, shrinkage, roughness, and waviness were measured after each moisture exposure condition. The results showed that the FRT increased significantly MC, swelling, and shrinkage of unvarnished and varnished panels. This treatment as well as the type of wood figure affected roughness and waviness variations of unvarnished panels. However, the effects of these two factors were not noticeable once panels were varnished.     

Optimisation of a two-stage heat treatment process: durability aspects

Heat treatment of wood at relatively high temperatures (in the range of 150–280°C) is an effective method to improve biological durability of wood. This study was performed to investigate the effect of heat treatment process optimisation on the resistance against fungal attack, including basidiomycetes, molds and blue stain fungi. An industrially used two-stage heat treatment method under relatively mild conditions (<200°C) was used to treat the boards. Heat treatment of radiata pine sapwood revealed a clear improvement of the resistance against the brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta. Increasing process temperature and/or effective process time during the first process stage, the hydro thermolysis, appeared to affect the resistance against C. puteana attack, but the effect on the resistance against P. placenta was rather limited. Heat treated radiata pine showed a limited resistance against the white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor and process variations during the hydro thermolysis stage appeared not to affect this resistance. A clear difference between the resistance of heat treated Scots pine sapwood and heartwood against fungal attack is observed. Scots pine heartwood showed a higher resistance against C. puteana and P. placenta but also against the white rot fungus C. versicolor. Similar results were obtained when heat treated birch was exposed to brown and white rot fungi. Heat treatment showed an improved resistance against C. puteana attack, especially at higher temperatures during the hydro thermolysis stage. A clear improvement of the durability was also observed after exposure to the white rot fungus C. versicolor and especially Stereum hirsutum. Increasing the process temperature or process time during the hydro thermolysis stage appeared to have a limited effect on the resistance against C. versicolor attack. Heat treated radiata pine and Norway spruce were still susceptible to mold growth on the wood surface, probably due to the formation of hemicelluloses degradation products (e.g. sugars) during heat treatment. Remarkable is the absence of blue stain fungi on heat treated wood specimen, also because the abandant blue stain fungi were observed on untreated specimen. Molecular reasons for the resistance of heat treated wood against fungal attack are discussed in detail contributing to a better understanding of heat treatment methods.     

Antifungal and antitermitic activities of wood vinegar from Vitex pubescens Vahl

Antifungal and antitermitic activities of wood vinegar produced from Vitex pubescens were evaluated. Three kinds of wood vinegar were produced at three different pyrolysis temperatures, i.e. at 350, 400 and 450 °C. A PDA dilution method was employed to assay antifungal activity of the vinegars with a white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor and a brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris. Termiticidal activity and repellent effect were evaluated by a no-choice test and a choice test with Reticulitermes speratus and Coptotermes formosanus. All wood vinegars exhibited antifungal activity against both fungi. Wood vinegar of 450 °C had the higher activity than those of 400 and 350 °C. It was assumed that acid component contributed to the increase in controlling the growth of fungal. The wood vinegar exhibited antitermite activity to both R. speratus and C. formosanus workers in the no-choice experiment. However, it needed relatively high concentration to obtain the perfect mortality. For instance, the wood vinegar of 10 % concentration was needed to achieve 100 % mortality against C. formosanus, whereas for R. speratus only 3 % of wood vinegar was required. In the direct-choice experiment, wood vinegar had a significantly repellent effect to both termites at the lowest treating concentration of 10 %.     

Biological resistance of Zn-Al metal-coated wood

Sapwood blocks of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) and akamatsu (Pinus densiflora) were coated with Zn/Al (45%/55%) alloy metal at thicknesses of 20–30, 90–100, and 180–200m by an arc spray gun. They were served for choice and no-choice tests with a brown rot fungus (Fomitopsis palustris), a white rot fungus (Trametes versicolor), and a pest termite (Coptotermes formosanus). Coating thickness of 20–30m was enough to prevent attacks by both test fungi, whereas 90–100m thickness was needed for protection against termite attacks. Exfoliation of the coating layers was observed during the wet-dry process in the tests. The results suggested that Zn-Al alloy metal coating treatment was applicable as an alternative method for the protection of timbers from biological deterioration when combined with an additional treatment creating a vapor barrier.This research was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998