Part Of Trunk Research Articles

Vertical Distribution of Epiphytic Lichens on Quercus robur in Görükle Campus Area of Bursa Uludag University (Bursa, Türkiye)

In this study, the vertical change of epiphytic lichen species on Quercus robur was examined in Johansson zones based on frequency and cover values. A total of 20 epiphytic lichen species were determined. Total frequency and cover values of epiphytic lichen species show significant changes in Johansson regions. Beta diversity and Shannon diversity index values shows significant change with Johansson zone pairs. There is a significant difference in epiphytic lichen diversity between the Z1Z2 zone pair corresponding to the base and middle part of trunk on trees, and the Z4Z5 zone pair corresponding to the branches. Athallia pyracea, Catillaria nigroclavata, Physcia adscendens and Rinodina pyrina were positively correlated with Johansson zones, while Phaeophyscia orbicularis was negatively correlated with Johansson zones. A. pyracea is an indicator species especially for thin branches (Z5). P. adscendens is an indicator for Z4 and Ph. orbicularis is for the trunk part of the tree (Z1, Z2 and Z3).

Snanthropic epiphytic bryocoenoses of Uzhhorod (Karpathian region, Ukraine) and its environs

The moss vegetation of urban ecosystems in Ukraine has not been studied enough. The study of the bryophyte vegetation of the Transcarpathian lowland is still at the initial stage. The aim of the study was to identify the main features of the structure of synanthropic bryophyte vegetation in the city of Uzhhorod. In the course of the research, generally accepted methods of floristic classification of communities were used, and the classification scheme of vegetation was built taking into account the prodromus of bryophyte vegetation of Ukraine [12]. As a result of the original research of the moss cover of Uzhhorod and its environs, it was found that the epiphytic vegetation is formed by synanthropic bryocenoses belonging to two classes, two orders, four unions and six associations. The basis of the epiphytic moss vegetation in the urban ecosystem of Uzhhorod is formed by associations of the class Frullanio dilatatae-Leucodontetea sciuroidis, order Orthotrichetalia, unions: Ulotion crispae (associations: Orthotrichetum pallentis, Orthotrichetum speciosi, Pylaisietum polyantae), Syntrichion laevipilae (Orthotrichetum fallacis), Leskion polycarpae (Leskeetum polycarpae). The communities of the class Cladonio digitatae-Lepidozietea reptantis, order Brachythecietalia rutabulo-salebrosi, union Bryo capillaris-Brachythecion rutabuli (Brachythecio salebrosi-Amblystegietum juratzkanii) occur mainly in the basal part of forophyte trunks and on their protruding roots. A brief ecological description of each syntaxon is given and their comparative analysis with the known syntaxons of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and a number of cities of the Left Bank Dnipro River is made. The bryocenoses identified by us within Uzhhorod and its environs occupy an intermediate position between the corresponding syntaxes of natural ecosystems of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and the urban ecosystems of the Left Bank Dnipro River basin by almost all criteria (number of species in the community, area of the community, etc.). Such a comparison is correct because the natural conditions of the Transcarpathian lowland are defined as identical to the Forest-Steppe zone.

Accumulation and transfer of P and K, macronutrient elements for plants, in Corylus colurna L. stem sections

One of the most essential factors in plant development is the nutrient content in the soil. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), essential macronutrients in plant nutrition, are vital in plant growth and development. Therefore, although many studies have been conducted on these elements in agricultural plants, the number of studies on forest trees could be much higher. In particular, there needs to be more information about the accumulation and transfer of these elements in different plant tissues. This study examined the change and transfer of P and K concentrations in the Corylus colurna tree's trunk parts. Within the scope of the study, the differences in P and K concentrations in the Corylus colurna trunk were examined based on organ, direction, and period. As a result, the most elevated concentrations of both elements were in the barks; the difference in direction was not evident in the wood, and both elements could be transferred within the wood.

A Swedish nationwide forensic study of the manner of death in single stab injuries to the trunk

IntroductionForensic pathologists are frequently confronted with questions about whether an injury is likely to have been inflicted by an assault or be self-inflicted. However, little is known of the epidemiological variables that might be applicable to differentiate between homicides and suicides in deaths caused by single stab injuries to the trunk. MethodUsing the Swedish forensic autopsy register, we identified 94 homicides and 45 suicides between 2010 and 2021 in which death followed a single stab injury to the trunk. We extracted characteristics from the cases and performed statistical analyses using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test and logistic regression model. ResultsVictims of homicides were younger than suicide victims (median age 33 years vs. 52 years, p < 0.05), and males were in the majority in both groups (93% vs. 82%). In numerous homicide victims, stab wounds were placed in the back and in axillar regions, unlike in suicides victims in which the stabs were all placed on the medial part of the anterior trunk. Vertical entrance wounds in the skin combined with a medially running injury channel (n = 13) showed a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI 75.3–100) for homicide, although the sensitivity was low. Homicides were conclusively associated with an outdoor death scene (OR 19.0, 95% CI 7.6–47.1), injury to thoracic bone/cartilage (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6–9.0), influence of alcohol (OR 7.1, 95% Cl 2.9–17.7) and illicit drugs (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.5–11.9). Discussion and conclusionThe observed forensic characteristics of stab injuries could be used as a tool when assessing the manner of death in single stabs. Further research on variables associated with manner of death are needed and we suggest also including characteristics of surviving victims in such analyses.

Improvement of flesh quality, muscle growth and protein deposition in adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): The role of tryptophan

The muscle is the main edible part of the animal trunk. Previous studies have shown that tryptophan is the limiting amino acid for protein synthesis. This study investigated whether dietary tryptophan could improve growth performance, flesh quality, muscle growth, and protein deposition in adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). 450 grass carp (671.31 ± 1.66 g) were fed with six diets (iso‑nitrogenous) with different concentrations of tryptophan (0.25, 1.66, 3.12, 4.69, 5.95, and 7.61 g/kg diet) for 9 weeks. The results revealed that the optimal tryptophan levels (3.12 or 4.69 g/kg diet) increased feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (FE), percent weight gain (PWG), and specific growth rate (SGR) compared with the deficient group (0.25 g/kg diet), indicating that tryptophan improved the growth performance of adult grass carp. The optimal tryptophan levels increased the muscle contents of protein, lipid, protein-bound amino acids, free amino acids (FAA), pH24h, and shear force; improved the fatty acid (FA) profile in muscle; and reduced cooking loss and lactate content, suggesting that tryptophan improved the flesh quality of adult grass carp. The optimal tryptophan levels increased the myofiber diameter, frequency of >50 μm diameter fiber, mRNA levels of MRFs (MyoD, MyoG, Mrf4, and Myf5), and decreased the mRNA levels of MSTN in muscle, indicating that tryptophan promoted muscle growth in adult grass carp. We further found that the promotion of muscle protein deposition by dietary tryptophan may be related to protein synthesis, ubiquitin-proteasome, and autophagic lysosomal pathways. We discovered that dietary tryptophan increased the mRNA abundances of IGF-1, PI3K, AKT, TOR, and S6K1 and decreased the mRNA abundances of 4EBP1, FOXO1a, FOXO3a, MAFBX, MuRF1, UB, ULK1, Beclin1, ATG5, ATG12, p62, LC3–1, and LC3–2, thereby promoting muscle protein deposition in adult grass carp. The above results showed that dietary tryptophan enhanced growth performance, flesh quality, muscle growth, and muscle protein deposition in adult grass carp. Moreover, using broken line regression, the tryptophan requirement of adult grass carp was estimated to be 3.02 g/kg diet (11.64 g/kg protein) based on PWG.

SMRT Sequencing Technology Was Used to Construct the Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) Transcriptome and Reveal Its Features.

Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an important forest pest in China that mainly infests timber and economic forests. This pest primarily causes plant tissue to necrotize, rot, and eventually die by feeding on the woody parts of tree trunks. To gain a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanism of B. horsfieldi, this study employed single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) and Illumina RNA-seq technologies to conduct full-length transcriptome sequencing of the insect. Total RNA extracted from male and female adults was mixed and subjected to SMRT sequencing, generating a complete transcriptome. Transcriptome analysis, prediction of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), coding sequences (CDs), analysis of simple sequence repeats (SSR), prediction of transcription factors, and functional annotation of transcripts were performed in this study. The collective 20,356,793 subreads (38.26 G, clean reads) were generated, including 432,091 circular consensus sequences and 395,851 full-length non-chimera reads. The full-length non-chimera reads (FLNC) were clustered and redundancies were removed, resulting in 39,912 consensus reads. SSR and ANGEL software v3.0 were used for predicting SSR and CDs. In addition, four tools were used for annotating 6058 lncRNAs, identifying 636 transcription factors. Furthermore, a total of 84,650 transcripts were functionally annotated in seven different databases. This is the first time that the full-length transcriptome of B. horsfieldi has been obtained using SMRT sequencing. This provides an important foundation for investigating the gene regulation underlying the interaction between B. horsfieldi and its host plants through gene editing in the future and provides a scientific basis for the prevention and control of B. horsfieldi.

New record of Hylobius (Callirus) pinastri (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in Volyn Region

H. pinastri (small pine weevil) inhabits almost the entire Palearctic. Lives in coniferous and mixed forests, mainly in wet spruce forests on Picea abies, rarely Pinus sylvestris (Pinaceae). Larvae develop in bark of stumps, lower parts of trunks and cutted woods. In Ukraine, this species occurs mainly in the north-western part (Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk regions) and one record was published from the east of the country (Kharkiv region). In the Volyn region, one specimen of H. pinastri was found in the in the Shatskyi National Nature Park. The collection of material was carried out by counting animals on six test plots from 05.07.2022 to 09.25.2022. Three Barber traps were placed in each trial area. The traps were located at a distance of 50 m from each other. New finds of H. pinastri were registered in the Kivertsi National Park "Tsumanska Pushcha". 1 female was collected in a pine forest; 3 females and 2 males – on the border between the spruce forest and dry spruces; 1 male and 1 female – in dry spruces forest; 5 females was collected in a spruce forest with mixed hardwoods. The paper provides a key for the identification of two closely related species, H. pinastri and H. abietis. Current finds of this species confirm previously published data on its occurrence in the Volyn region and the contiguity of this species to spruce stands. It can be expected that H. pinastri can be found in other places of Ukraine.

Об обеспечении безопасной эксплуатации главной водоотливной установки рудника «Удачный»

Safety of the underground mining operations largely depends on the reliability of the functioning of the drainage facilities system. Practice shows that over the past few years, the reliability of the main drainage system of the underground kimberlite mine Udachny was noticeably decreased. One of the reasons for this was the low operational reliability of pumping equipment. External examinations of the failed parts of the flow part of pumps operating in the drainage systems of domestic kimberlite mines indicate the dominance of hydroabrasive wear in the overall picture of their multifactorial destruction. Mine waters pumped from the drainage mine workings of the Udachny mine is considered the most polluted among the mines of ALROSA. The main reason for the increase in the concentration of solid particles in the mine waters pumped to the daytime surface by the pumping equipment of the main drainage plant of the Udachny mine was the growing pollution of the waters coming from the drainage basins of the district drainage into its clarifying reservoirs. Such an intensive removal of mechanical impurities from the catchments of the district drainage into the clarifying tanks of the main drainage system is explained by an increase in the rate of siltation of the catchment tanks. And the rapid siltation of the catchments, in turn, is caused by the systematic removal of sludge-slurry pulp from the lower part of the skip trunk. It is established that the sludge slurry is formed during the overload of the extracted kimberlite ore from the feeder to the conveyor belt. There, its spilled part is washed off with water used for irrigation of diamond-bearing raw materials into the skip barrel. To reduce the rate of siltation of the drainage basins of the district drainage system, a mechanized complex for cleaning spilled rock mass was developed, described in the article.

SHORT NOTES: FIRST REPORT OF THE LIGNIVOROUS FUNGUS PAECILOMYCES MAXIMUS IN CEDRUS ATLANTICA M. IN MOROCCO

This study is interested in isolating fungi from the wood parts of cedar trunks withered and identifying these lignivorous fungi. A sample was isolated from the cedar grove of Tazekka National Park located south of the city of Taza in Morocco. The culture and purification of the isolated fungus were done on a water agar medium and then on a PDA medium. After the purification of the fungus, a morphological study by scanning electron microscope allowed us to identify the pathogen Paecilomyces. A molecular characterization identified Paecilomycesmaximus with a coverage percentage of 99% and an identity of 98.77%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. maximus in decayed cedar wood.

Celiac Trunk Aneurysm: About A Case Report

Introduction: Celiac trunk (CT) aneurysms are known to be rare; their severity is represented by the risk of rupture which is often lethal. Their diagnosis is becoming easier due to the more common use of imaging means. Objective: Demonstrate the value of angioscanner in the diagnosis of aneurysms and guide the therapeutic management. Case Report: This is a 59-year-old patient with a history of ACFA who has presented for 1 month with diffuse abdominal pain without associated signs. Abdominal angioscanner objectifies a fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the terminal part of the celiac trunk measuring 19 mm in diameter with no detectable signs of rupture or appearance of calcifications or thrombus. Conclusion: Advances in imaging have significantly changed the incidence; angioscanner can help in planning surgical and other clinical interventions.

An Indicating Role of Antioxidant System Enzymes at the Stage of Active Structural Anomalies Formation in Karelian Birch (Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercl.) Hämet-Ahti).

A complex study of the antioxidant system enzymes (AOS) is an important subject of biochemical research; changes in the activity of these enzymes can be used as a biochemical marker of various processes in plants. At the same time, practically little attention has been paid to describing the regularities of these enzymatic reactions in different wood formation processes, such as xylogenesis. This article discusses the outcomes of different behaviors of AOS enzymes, which are involved in both the redistribution of the ROS balance and phenolic compounds at the early stages of wood formation in young plants of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) with straight-grained wood and Karelian birch (Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Merckl.) Hamet-Ahti) with non-figured and figured parts within the single trunk. Spectrophotometric determination of AOS enzymes' activity can be used as a biochemical marker in the different wood formation processes, including xylogenesis. In this study, we studied structural anomalies of the woody plant trunk of Karelian birch (Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Merckl.) Hamet- Ahti). This study aimed to study AOS enzymes' activity in 12-year-old plants of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) with straight-grained wood and Karelian birch (Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Merckl.) Hamet-Ahti) with non-figured and figured parts within the single trunk. Plant tissues were ground in liquid nitrogen to a uniform mass and homogenized at 4°C in the buffer containing 50 mM HEPES (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 3 mM DTT, 5 mM MgCl2, and 0.5 mM PMSF. After 20 min extraction, the homogenate was centrifuged at 10000 g for 20 min (MPW-351R, Poland). The sediment was washed in the buffer thrice. The pooled supernatant and sediment were dialyzed at 4°C for 18-20 h against a tenfold diluted homogenization buffer. The enzymes' activity was determined spectrophotometrically (Spectrophotometer SF-2000, OKB Spectr, Russia). Proteins in the extracts were quantified by the method of Bradford. We observed different behaviors of the studied enzymes involved in both the redistribution of the ROS balance and phenolic compounds with subsequent lignification even at the early stages of wood formation in young plants and even in different trunk parts within a tree, which was consistent with results obtained earlier on adult plants. High SOD activity in the phloem compared to the activity in the xylem was accompanied by higher CAT activity. The POD/SOD ratio was significantly higher in the figured trunk parts in Karelian birch compared to other variants in the xylem and higher in Karelian birch plants compared to plants of common birch in the phloem. The CAT/POD ratio was significantly higher in plants with no signs of anomalies. The high POD and PPO activity in the xylem of figured trunk parts and in the phloem of figured and non-figured trunk parts of B. pendula var. carelica can be associated with the high activity of apoplast invertase. The study showed that at the stage of active formation of structural anomalies in the figured trunk parts in young plants of Karelian birch, hydrogen peroxide utilization occurred mainly due to increased POD activity. An increase in PPO activity in the trunk of figured plants could also be considered an indicator of the formation of structural anomalies. At the same time, in areas with developing abnormal wood, the POD/SOD ratio increased, and the CAT/POD ratio decreased, indicating a fine-tuning of the balance between superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide, which, when changed, might regulate the rearrangement of xylogenesis towards proliferation in relation to differentiation.

The corewood of 25-year-old Hevea brasiliensis from two rubber plantations has high starch content

In Brazil after 25 to 30 years of rubber production, when yield starts to drop, rubber trees are felled and destined for firewood and charcoal, despite the good mechanical properties and workability of the wood, and relatively low production costs. Wood with low starch content could be destined for the production of higher added-value products with potential to spare deforestation of many native forest species, but in rubberwood, starch increases palatability by wood borers and accelerates fungal degradation, thus compromising wood durability and the quality of timber. The aim of this study is to determine whether removal of the outer part of wood or varying the season of logging would result in wood with lower starch content. We measured the content of starch using enzymatic hydrolysis, the radial distribution of starch grains by light microscopy, and the corresponding seasonal variation of starch in 25-year-old felled trees. Rubberwood had large amount of starch in its entire trunk, increasing from the inner to the outer region, before decreasing in the outermost sapwood. Starch content was lower in summer, although higher than in other timber species. After relating the data to a comprehensive bibliographic survey of starch quantification in rubberwood, it was concluded that there are no technological arguments to destine the inner part of rubber tree trunks to the production of higher value products.

Material properties of palm bark Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) infill wall for earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete buildings: a preliminary investigation

This study conducts a preliminary investigation to determine the material properties of Cross- Laminated Timber (CLT) made from the bark of unproductive palm trunks. One-third of the lower part of palm trunks, aged over 20 years, was used for this purpose. CLTs were created by laminating palm boards into three and five layers, each measuring 200 mm x 20 mm x 1500 mm. A chemical epoxy was employed for lamination. The palm stems were dried in an oven at 110°C for 24 hours. Test results revealed a water content of 6.79% and a specific gravity of 0.23 gr/cm3 in oil palm stems. According to ASTM D143-94- 2005 and JIS Z210-21118 standards, wood's acceptable moisture content ranges from 12% to 20%. Given its low specific weight and minimal water content, palm oil trunks, including infill walls, show promise for use in earthquake-resistant construction.

Linear focal elastosis

Linear focal elastosis (LFE) is an uncommon, benign, acquired elastotic condition with uncertain pathogenesis. It is characterized clinically by asymptomatic, multiple, yellowish, elevated, irregularly indurated, striae-like lines or bands distributed horizontally across the lower and middle part of the posterior trunk. The histopathological hallmark of LFE is a focal increase of elastic fibres in the dermis. The differential diagnosis is varied, and striae distensae is the closest mimic of LFE. Response of LFE to treatment is often poor. The focus of this article is to provide insights into this condition for dermatologists.

The composition of medicinal plants used for the treatment of skin diseases by the Thai ethnic minority at Muong La nature reserve, Son La province

This research aimed to evaluate the composition and use-value of medicinal plants for skin disease treatments according to the Thai ethnic minority’s experiences at Muong La nature reserve, Son La province. The research was carried out under a traditional botanical method from January 2021 to January 2022. The results showed that there were 121 species of medicinal plants belonging to 111 genera and 56 families of 3 vascular plant divisions. The diversity of medicinal plants for the treatment of skin diseases with survival spectrum was determined as SB = 66.12Ph + 10.74Hm + 9.09Ch + 8.26Th + 5.79Cr. The medicinal plants used by Thai ethnic people for treatments of 11 skin disease groups, including boils, itchy sores, nine meters (nine cheeks), atopic dermatitis, zona... accounted for the highest rate of 86 species (71.07%). Leaves were the most used part of plants for skin disease treatment accounting for 67.77%, followed by trunk parts with 35 species. Two medicinal species (1.65%) at risk of being threatened were identified in Vietnam Red Data Book (2007) and 2 species in the Governmental Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP.

29-Year-Old Man With Acute Gastric Distention

29-Year-Old Man With Acute Gastric Distention

The Effect of Bark Stripping by Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on Biometric Parameters of the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Bark stripping by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is one of the most acute instances of damage wrought by these animals in a forest. Because of its location, bark stripping causes damage to the thickest and most valuable part of the tree trunk, which lowers the quality of the wood due to technical flaws. The research was conducted in 25 sampling sites of pine stands aged 35 years in a mixed, fresh forest habitat in south-western Poland. The study was aimed at assessing the influence of bark damage by deer on biometric parameters of pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.). The assessment involved the diameter at breast height, height, basal area and volume of the tree stands. The results revealed a strong deer-specific pressure on the analysed pine stands. The share of bark stripped trees ranged from 65% to 96%. The number of bark damage instances (NBDI) on a given tree was found to significantly affect its diameter at breast height. The strip-damaged trees had breast height diameters lower by 23% on average, and their mean height was lower by 8.7% as compared with the trees without damage. The mean reduction in basal area increments (G1.3) of the trees was identified at 39%. In a similar way to the diameter at breast height and the basal area, the losses in tree stand volume growth caused by deer stripping were significant and oscillated at 41%.

Influence of growth velocity on fragmentation during directional solidification of Al – 14 wt.% Sn alloy studied by in-situ synchrotron X-radiography

Directional solidification of Al – 14 wt.% Sn alloy was investigated by means of synchrotron X-radiography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The dynamics of the solidification microstructure formation was studied in-situ and in real-time. In the present manuscript, a special attention is given to the influence of increasing growth velocity on the fragmentation phenomenon of dendrite arms, which has an important role and impact on the final grain structure. Fragmentations of both secondary dendrite arms and more strikingly part of primary trunks have been observed. The experiments show that the number of fragments increases concomitantly with the solidification growth rate until it reaches a limit value after which fewer or no more fragments are observed. The possible origins of the fragmentation are discussed in detail and the likelihood of each of these potential mechanisms is estimated to understand the reason of both primary and secondary arm detachment. It is shown that the fragmentation in a transient regime is correlated to the variations of the solute accumulation, latent heat rejection and the curvature of the attachment neck during solidification. Moreover, during these experiments, Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition (CET) induced by the fragmentation phenomenon is observed. The velocity of the dendrite fragments due to the buoyancy force is a major parameter to control the CET and our results show that a reverse Equiaxed-to- Columnar Transition can even be observed. Once the growth velocity is of the same order or higher than the fragment flotation velocity, the fragments are trapped within the columnar dendritic microstructure, and CET cannot take place or the equiaxed regime cannot be sustained.

Effect of densification on the physical and mechanical properties of the inner part of oil palm trunk impregnated with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations in Indonesia are increasing over the past few years. After economic productivity, however, the unproductive oil palm trunks are felled and mostly go to waste, especially the inner part of the oil palm trunk (IOPT). There are several modification methods to utilize IOPT, such as impregnation and densification. Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is a common resin used for impregnation in composite industries because it is non-toxic and has excellent physical and mechanical properties but it has never been applied for the impregnation of IOPT. This study aimed to analyze the effect of densification on the physical and mechanical properties of the inner part of oil palm trunk (IOPT) impregnated using methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) resin to obtain valuable information regarding the efficient utilization of unproductive oil palm trunks. IOPT was densified and compregnated with compression ratios (CRs) of 20% and 30%. The physical properties (density, moisture content (MC), and water absorption (WA)) and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and hardness) of the compregnated samples were better than those of the densified samples. The density and mechanical properties at CR 30% were higher than those at CR 20%. The improvements in density, MC, and WA of the compregnated IOPT with CR 30% were 127%, 54%, and 70%, respectively, compared to that in untreated IOPT. Furthermore, improvements in the MOE, MOR, and hardness of the compregnated IOPT with CR 30% were 489%, 379%, and 393%, respectively. The mechanical properties of the compregnated IOPT at CR 20% and 30% increased two- to three-fold from strength class V in control IOPT to strength class III in compregnated IOPT with CR 20% and to strength class II in compregnated IOPT with CR 30%, respectively.

SHORT NOTES: FIRST REPORT OF THE LIGNIVOROUS FUNGUS PLEUROSTOMA RICHARDSIAE IN CEDRUS ATLANTICA M. IN MOROCCO

Our study is interested in isolating fungi from the wood parts of cedar trunks withered and identifying these lignivorous fungi. A sample was isolated from the cedar grove of Tazekka National Park located south of the city of Taza in Morocco. The culture and purification of theisolated fungus were done on a water agar medium and then on a PDA medium. Afterthepurification of the fungus, a morphological study by electron microscope allowed us to identify the pathogen Pleurostoma richardsiae. A molecular characterization confirmed these results with a coverage percentage of 97% and an identity of 99%. To our knowledge, this is thefirst report of P. richardsiaein decayed cedar wood.