Wood Decay Research Articles

Biological Deterioration of Wooden Components of Balla Lompoa Ri Galesong in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Balla Lompoa Ri Galesong, known well as the traditional house of the Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, has become a historical building in Indonesia. Nowadays, it still functions as a residence for the royal family, a repository for historical artifacts, and a venue for annual cultural performances. Maintaining and protecting buildings from damaging factors is crucial to maintaining their life and function. This research focuses on detecting the damage characteristics of wooden parts of buildings, identifying biological deterioration agents, and assessing the level of infestation. Data collection uses the visual detection method. The results showed that the activities of biodeterioration agents, namely subterranean termites (Microcerotermes serrula), drywood termites (Cryptotermes), powder-post beetles, wood-staining fungi, and wood-decaying fungi found on pillars, windows, doors, walls, floors, and ceiling. Most pillars are targets of attacks by wood-destroying organisms, characterized by the highest attack intensity (70.13%) and the moderate category in the degree of attack (50–74). Understanding and mitigating the damage to historic buildings is critical for implementing effective preventive measures. Keywords: Balla Lompoa Ri Galesong, biodeterioration agents, cultural heritage, wood biodeterioration

Inventory of Macroscopic Fungi in Protected Forest Areas Malaka District Chartery

Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms with spores, without chlorophyll that reproduce sexually and asexually, mushrooms can be used by humans as food ingredients and ingredients for traditional and modern medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine the type and habitat characteristic of macroscopic fungi conducted in the kateri procted forest area Malaka Regency. Using exploration and identification methods where the plant identification process is a process of matching a plant according to a particular taxonomi on each research transect line. There are 28 species of macroscopic fungi namely Dacrymyces stilatus, Auricularia auricula-judae, Xylaria hypoxylon, Daldinia concentrica, Microporus xanthopus, Earliella scabrosa, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Polyporus alveolaris, Lentinus squarrosulus, Hexagonia tenuis, Trametes pubescens, Tyromyces chioneus, Marasmius oreades, Marasmius haematocephalus, Baespora myosura, Marasmius rotula, Marasmius andorsaceus, Trogia infundibiliformis, Leucocoprinus brebissonii, Lepiota helveola. Agaricus micromegathus, Bolbitius vitelinus, Mycena albicocapilaris, Crepidotus variabilis, Parasola plicatilis, Coprinopsis fragilisimus, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Pleurotus djamor. Divided into 5 Orders namely Dacrymycetales, Auriculariales, Xylariales, Polyporales, Agaricales. And 12 family namely Dacrymycetaceae, Auriculariaceae, Xylariaceae, Polyporaceae, Marasmiaceae, Agaricaceae, Bolbitiaceae, Mycenaceae, Crepidotaceae, Psathyrellaceae, Schizophyllaceae, Pleurotaceae. The most abundant habitat Characteristics were on rotten wood branches as many 9 species, on dead wood stem many as 8 species, in leaf little many as 4 species and in soil with hums many as 7 species.

The Specific and Total CO2 Emission Activity of Wood-Decaying Fungi and Their Response to Increases in Temperature.

The CO2 emission activity of xylotrophic fungi responding to an increase in temperature in the range of 10-30 °C with pure dikaryotic cultures of Fomes fomentarius s. str., F. inzengae, Fomitopsis betulina, F. pinicola, and Phellinus igniarius was analyzed. Emission activity was assessed by the difference in CO2 concentration in 0.5 L exposure chambers with Petri dishes with mycelium growing on agar at the beginning of exposure and an hour later using a Gasmet DX-4030 FTIR spectrometer (Gasmet Technologies Oy, Finland), error measurements ±50 ppm. Specific (μg CO2/cm2/h) and total (μg CO2/h) emission activity and its relationship with temperature and size (area) of the mycelium were assessed. It is shown that in the range of 10-30 °C, the specific and total CO2 emission activity of the mycelium is closely and positively related to temperature. Specific emission, which is an indicator of the respiratory activity of the mycelium, does not depend on its size; its only driver is temperature, the relationship with which is linear: an increase in temperature by 10 °C causes an increase in the specific emission activity of the mycelium by 1.7 times. The total CO2 emission activity, which is an indicator of the total amount of CO2 emitted, is directly proportional to the specific emission activity and the size of the mycelium. In the range of 10-30 °C, an increase in temperature causes an almost equal increase in both the specific emission activity of the mycelium (Q10 1.7) and its growth (Q10 1.5) and causes an exponential increase in the total emission of CO2. This must be taken into account when predicting CO2 emissions from woody debris under climate change, as it could potentially contribute to accelerating climate change.

Incipient decay in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and linden (Tilia cordata Mill.): An interspecific static and dynamic material analysis

With increasing awareness of the ecological value of trees in urban areas, there is a growing need to preserve mature specimens often colonised by wood-decay fungi. Nonetheless, cases of stem collapse or uprooting of such trees under adverse weather conditions remain a significant issue requiring further investigation. Depending on the decay type and the wood structure of the host tree, different combinations of wood-decaying fungi and host species can have varying impacts on the mechanical and vibroacoustic properties of green wood. This study compares the physical and mechanical properties of green European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) artificially exposed to Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. and Kretzschmaria deusta (Hoff.) P.M.D. Martin after different exposure periods. Mass loss (ML) caused by both fungi differed according to the wood species. A statistically significant difference between the two fungal species was observed in beech wood, but not in linden. Significant differences in the modulus of rupture (MOR) and dynamic bending modulus of elasticity (MOED) were observed among the fungus-wood combinations, also depending on the exposure time. The relationships between ML and MOR varied according to the fungal species, where at the same ML values, K. deusta caused a higher MOR loss in both wood species. Strong relationships between MOED and MOR were demonstrated for all fungus-wood combinations, without significant differences related to the decay type. The MOED is a reliable parameter for predicting MOR loss even at incipient degradation stages, irrespective of the type of decay. The presented results can lead to better prediction of the impact of fungal colonization on standing trees and improve non-destructive methods used for tree stability assessment.

Fauna and Ecology of Macromycetes (Basidiomycota) in the Arctic Tree and Shrub Ecosystems of Central Siberia.

The research was aimed at studying the taxonomic diversity, habitat specialization, and trophic characteristics of mycobiota, including Basidiomycota, in the northern ecosystems of the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Central Siberia) near Norilsk. Larch forests and woodlands in the Siberian permafrost zone are distinctive and Basidiomycota, as a component of these ecosystems, plays an essential role in their functioning. Currently, there is a paucity of information about this group in Arctic ecosystems, both in terms of floristic and ecological aspects. Seventy species of macromycetes belonging to different trophic groups were discovered and identified. Only 15% of species occur regularly, while most species are found rarely or only once. The identified species belong to 44 genera, 25 families, and 8 orders, which are included in the class Agaricomycetes. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Tricholomataceae, Suillaceae, Strophariaceae, and Cortinariaceae. Mycorrhizal fungi and wood decay fungi dominate the structure of mycobiota of the study area (the total share is 71%). The rest of the species (29%) are fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus. The largest number of species occur in forest ecosystems, which are dominated by mycorrhizal and wood decay fungi (up to 70%), which are trophically associated with woody plants and debris. The fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus dominate (about 80%) in the species composition of tundra, where, in the absence of woody substrate, wood decay fungi have not been found at all. The species richness of tree and shrub Arctic ecosystems is low, yet the taxonomical and ecological structure of Basidiomycota is similar to that observed in taiga and temperate forests. These data permit a more comprehensive description of the biodiversity of the Arctic and may prove useful in studying biological processes in these ecosystems.

Antifungal activity of heat-treated wood extract against wood decay fungi

Using heat treatment for wood protection has been driven to maturity, but the role of heat-treated wood extracts in decay resistance has lacked attention. To assess the potential of heat-treated wood extract for wood preservation, the antifungal activity of the extract against wood decay fungi and the effects of the extract on fungal wood degrading enzyme activity and cell membrane integrity were tested. Small shavings generated during the processing of larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Kuzen) were heat-treated and extracted. The antifungal activity of extract against wood decay fungi and decay resistance of extract impregnated wood were tested to assess their potential. The effect of extracts on the enzyme activity of the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd and the brown-rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.: Fr.) Murr. for wood degradation was assessed by detecting the activity of cellulose, hemicellulose, and ligninase of fungi incubated with extract. The effect of extracts on the integrity of cell membranes of fungi was assessed by staining with propidium iodide (PI) and the leakage detection of nucleic acid and protein in fungi after exposure to extract. The toxicity to freshwater luminescent bacteria (Vibrio qinghaiensis sp. -Q67) and mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) of the extract impregnated wood leachate was tested and compared with the leachate of the raw wood. The results denoted that the decay resistance of poplar (Populus tomentosa Carr.) wood could be improved by heat-treated larch wood extract, and the effect of the extract impregnated wood leachate on Q67 and RAW264.7 was the same as that of raw wood leachate. The extract inhibited ligninase activity (only for T. versicolor), cellulase activity, and respiratory metabolism of tested fungi, and impaired the membrane integrity. The study identified a potential wood preservative.

Microhabitat diversity – A crucial factor shaping macrofungal communities and morphological trait expression in dead wood

The majority of studies exploring the ecology of saprotrophic fungi have worked with individual logs as homogenous sampling units, neglecting the presence of microhabitats and inner complexity. Based on close to 7000 sporocarp records of more than 450 fungal taxa from 134 decaying beech logs we investigated microhabitat preferences in macrofungi and linked these to sporocarp traits. The respective microhabitats were defined by the local wood decay stage, vertical position on the fallen log and special habitat features (hollows, fracture surfaces, woody material fallen from the log). We found microhabitat associations to be non-random in relation to fungal community composition and sporocarp morphology, indicating an evolutionary link between dead wood niche and sporocarp morphology. While log-level fungal species richness peaked at intermediate decay stages, taxa with significant indicator values were skewed towards early and late decay stages, when defined at microhabitat decay level. This suggests that the commonly found peak in fungal species richness on dead logs in intermediate decay stages expresses a peak in niche diversity rather than a peak in taxa decay stage preferences.

Orchid Mycorrhizal Association of Cultivated Dendrobium Hybrid and Their Role in Seed Germination and Seedling Growth.

Orchids are crucial for the horticulture industry. Mycorrhizal fungi benefit crops by improving nutrition, plant growth, and disease resistance. However, the mycorrhizal association of horticultural hybrid orchids is poorly understood. To address this, we investigated mycorrhizal colonization in the entire root system and assessed the mycorrhizal community using a Dendrobium cultivar, D. Stardust 'Firebird', obtained from three nurseries. Additionally, we isolated and tested mycorrhizal fungi in symbiotic culture to assess their role in the seed germination and growth of Dendrobium species. All plants were colonized by mycorrhizal fungi, with a higher colonization rate in mature than in juvenile plants. Molecular identification of mycorrhizal fungi by Sanger and high-throughput sequencing revealed that the cultivar was associated with a phylogenetically diverse group of fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi from Tulasnellaceae, and several wood-decaying fungi. The Tulasnellaceae isolates significantly enhanced the seed germination of three Dendrobium species and increased the survival rate and growth of asymbiotic seedlings of D. moniliforme. This study is the first comprehensive examination of mycorrhizal associations in horticultural orchid hybrids, providing valuable insights for commercial production.

Phylogenetic Diversity, Host Specificity, and Distribution of the Wood-Decaying Fungus Phellinotus teixeirae in Western Colombia’s Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

Phellinotus (Polyporales) is a common genus of wood-decay fungi in tropical and subtropical areas, endemic to the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) biome. However, Phellinotus diversity remains unexplored, despite being a major threat to living trees. Therefore, this study is aimed at confirming and characterizing through morphological and molecular data the first isolates of Phellinotus teixeirae in Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae) trees (locally referred to as ‘Chiminango’) from the endangered Colombian SDTF biome. Fifteen fungal specimens were recovered from living P. dulce trees, in the urban area and at the Universidad del Valle campus, and classified as P. teixeirae based on taxonomical descriptors. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from a four-loci dataset (ribosomal and gene-coding regions), including 82 taxa covering 3991 nucleotide positions. The analysis recovered seven highly supported (>90% bootstrapping) monophyletic taxa of the ‘Phellinotus Clade’, and confirmed the new distribution range of P. teixeirae (100% bootstrap support), which extends approx. 1000 km north in the Neotropics. Hierarchical stratified Analysis of MOlecular VAriance (AMOVA) provided a clear genetic distinction between species (70% of variation, p-value = 0.001) and low differentiation among country of origin within species (11%, p-value = 0.044). Discriminant Analysis for Principal Components (DAPC) indicated complex clustering including closely related species, probably a signal of recent radiation and weak species boundaries. Median-joining haplotype network analysis identified unique haplotypes, which may correlate with new host colonization and population expansion (Tajima’s D ≤ −0.5). In conclusion, this study provides the first assessment of the genetic diversity of P. teixeirae in a novel geography (SDTP) and host tree (P. dulce). However, increasing the number of isolates remains critical to understand further the genus’ distribution patterns and drivers of genetic diversity.

Decay and Termite Resistance of Wood Modified by High-Temperature Vapour-Phase Acetylation (HTVPA), a Simultaneous Acetylation and Heat Treatment Modification Process.

High-temperature vapour-phase acetylation (HTVPA) is a simultaneous acetylation and heat treatment process for wood modification. This study was the first investigation into the impact of HTVPA treatment on the resistance of wood to biological degradation. In the termite resistance test, untreated wood exhibited a mass loss (MLt) of 20.3%, while HTVPA-modified wood showed a reduced MLt of 6.6-3.2%, which decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG), and the termite mortality reached 95-100%. Furthermore, after a 12-week decay resistance test against brown-rot fungi (Laetiporus sulfureus and Fomitopsis pinicola), untreated wood exhibited mass loss (MLd) values of 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively, while HTVPA-modified wood exhibited MLd values of 0.2-0.9% and -0.2-0.3%, respectively, with no significant influence from WPG. Similar results were observed in decay resistance tests against white-rot fungi (Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor). The results of this study demonstrated that HTVPA treatment not only effectively enhanced the decay resistance of wood but also offered superior enhancement relative to separate heat treatment or acetylation processes. In addition, all the HTVPA-modified wood specimens prepared in this study met the requirements of the CNS 6717 wood preservative standard, with an MLd of less than 3% for decay-resistant materials.

Random forest machine-learning algorithm classifies white- and brown-rot fungi according to the number of the genes encoding Carbohydrate-Active enZyme families.

Wood-rotting fungi are categorized as either white- or brown-rot modes based on the coloration of decomposed wood. The process of classification can be influenced by human biases. The random forest machine learning algorithm effectively distinguishes between white- and brown-rot fungi based on the presence of Carbohydrate-Active enZyme genes. These findings not only aid in the classification of wood-rotting fungi but also facilitate the identification of the enzymes responsible for degrading woody biomass.

The relationship between trampling damages on roots and wood decay in Norway spruce forests used for silvopasture

Forest grazing by free-roaming livestock is a common practice in many countries. The forestry sector sees the practice as unfortunate owing to several reasons, such as damages inflicted by grazing in young plantations. Concerning Norway spruce forests, a tree species known to develop wood decay with high frequency followed from stem bark damage, there is a strong perception among foresters that the trampling damage caused by livestock on the superficial root system of this tree leads to decay. Because of the very limited scientific documentation available on this topic, we pursued a clarification by investigating three 38- to 56-year-old Norway spruce forests used for silvopasture. Two types of injuries were observed on exposed roots: bark cracks characterized by resin exudation, and injuries involving localized bark peeling and exposure of the underlying wood. These injuries occurred up to 250 cm away from the root collar, with the sector 50–150 cm away from the root collar showing the highest incidence of injuries. In two of the forest stands, wood within the injured root areas was primarily colonized by the wound parasite Corinectria fuckeliana or species of the order Helotiales, fungi that do not cause wood decay. Wood colonization of injured roots by Heterobasidion species, the most frequent wood decay fungi of Norway spruce, was common in the third stand, but only in a few cases it was possible to deduce that the colonization had probably initiated via trampling injuries on roots. In a few cases, an injury was located at stem base at the root collar height along paths used by animals, and in such cases, it was obvious that stem colonization by Heterobasidion species had initiated via the wound. The relatively small amount of data warrants caution when drawing conclusions. Considering the high establishment frequency of decay via stem bark wounds of Norway spruce observed in previous studies, our data would suggest that roots are generally better equipped to defend themselves upon infliction of superficial wounds than stem of this tree species. The likelihood of trampling injuries leading to decay may vary considerably between different stands, this presumably depending on the level of local propagule pressure by pathogenic wood decay fungi and the frequency of damages close to root collar.

Catalogue of Endomychidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) family specimens deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

The family Endomychidae is a moderately large group of small to medium-sized beetles with worldwide distribution and maximum diversity in tropical and subtropical regions, which includes about 1,600 species in 90 genera, 9 subfamilies (Shockley et al., 2009; Robertson et al., 2015). Of these, 7 species are known from the territory of Ukraine, of which 5 species occur in the Ukrainian Carpathian region (Nowicki, 1865; Roubal, 1936, Mateleshko, 2002, 2005, 2009; Mateleshko & Chumak, 2006; Mateleshko & Roshko, 2006; Mateleshko & Lovas, 2010; Chumak et al., 2015; Koval, et al., 2018; Diedus et al., 2021) and three species are known from the Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson provinces and the Crimean Autonomous Republic (Drogvalenko, 1999). Representatives of the family are mainly mycophagous. The most common habitats are fungi, rotten wood and fungus-infested bark. Many species live in leaf litter and decaying plant debris, where they feed on mold and fungi. The collection of the State Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (SMNH) presents 58 specimens of the family Endomychidae, belonging to 4 species and 4 genera, as follows: Dapsa denticollis (Germar, 1817) – 3 spec., Endomychus coccineus (Linnaeus, 1758) – 29 spec., Lycoperdina succincta (Linnaeus, 1767) – 21 spec., Mycetina cruciata (Schaller, 1783) – 5 spec. The illustrated catalogue of these species is given below, the species being listed in an alphabet order. The collection material has originated from the western part of Ukraine and southern part of Poland and was collected during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the material was collected from the western part of Ukraine, and is presented in the collection by three species: D. denticollis, E. coccineus and L. succincta from Roztochchia georegion (Lviv (Holosko, Kryvchytsi, Znesinnia, Snopkiv), Yamelnia, Ivano-Frankove); E. coccineus from Male Polissia (Radvantsi); two species from Opillia – L. succincta (Bartativ, Zubra) and E. coccineus (Prybyn). Only one species, E. coccineus, is known from the Cisparpathian Upland (Kolomyia, Sadzhawka) where it was collected in early 20th century (15.06.1902; 23.05.1901). Regarding the material collected from the territory of Poland, 4 specimens of two species are available in the SMNH collection: E. coccineus (Kraków, Rabka-Zdrój, Szymbart) and L succincta (Sztutowo). In addition to the main museum collection, the four above-mentioned species are contained in the collection of A. Stöckl: one spec. D. denticollis from Serbia, collected by Reitter; 5 spec. E. coccineus from the western part of Ukraine (Lviv, Riasne, Ivano-Frankove); 3 spec. L. succincta: one spec. from Poland (Konskowola), two – from Ukraine (Ivano-Frankove, Lviv); and 2 spec. of M. cruciata collected in Ukraine (Pistyn). Other specimens of this collection lack information on the collectors.

Factors associated with seedling establishment on logs of different fungal decay types-A seed-sowing experiment.

Wood decay fungi alter the abiotic and biotic properties of deadwood, which are important as nurse logs for seedling regeneration. However, the relationship between fungal decay type and seedling performance has not been evaluated experimentally. In this study, we examined the germination, growth, and survival of six arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and six ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree species on three substrates (pine logs with brown and white rot and soil) by conducting seed-sowing experiments in a mixed forest dominated by Pinus densiflora and Quercus serrata. Analysis using ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (rDNA ITS1) sequencing revealed that the fungal community was significantly different across three substrates. The richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of AM and ECM fungi was the largest on brown rot logs and soil, respectively. The substrate significantly affected the seedling performance when comparing wood decay types, but these were not consistent across the mycorrhizal status of the seedlings. Nevertheless, seedlings of some AM trees showed better growth and enhanced mycorrhizal colonization on brown rot logs than on white rot logs. The wood decay type influenced fungal communities in the logs and the performance of some seedling species partly by different mycorrhizal colonization rates. However, the effect was seedling species dependent and showed no apparent difference between AM and ECM trees.

Assessment of decay caused by Trametes flavida and Daldinia eschscholtzii on several hardwood species

AbstractWood‐decay fungi are major contributors to damage wood and logs, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study assessed the decay caused by Trametes flavida and Daldinia eschscholtzii on Gmelina arborea, Samanea saman, Albizia lebbeck, Acacia auriculiformis and Swietenia mahagoni. Both fungi demonstrated their ability to decay wood. However, the extent of damage varied significantly among the tested hardwood species. Findings showed that Trametes flavida caused greater wood mass and density loss than Daldinia eschscholtzii. Among the tested hardwood species, G. arborea was found to be more susceptible to the decay fungi, followed by S. saman, A. lebbeck, A. auriculiformis and S. mahagoni, respectively. The study will encourage the scientific management of timber and logs in sawmill depots to minimize the decay of wood and incurred economic loss.

DIVERSITY AND TAXONOMY OF WOOD ROTTING FUNGI FROM DHARASHIV [OSMANABAD] DISTRICT (M.S.) INDIA

In present investigation 107 specimens of Wood-rotting fungi were collected from various regions of Dharashiv [Osmanabad]District (M.S.) India. 25new species were recorded from the present study area, identified according to macroscopic features at the site and microscopic features in the laboratory and belong to 12 families and 24 genera. The most dominating family were observed Polyporaceae (6 genera) andthe most dominating genera wasLeucocoprinus(2 species).

Scytinostromabambusinum sp. nov. (Russulales, Basidiomycota) in China evidenced by morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses.

Wood-rotting fungi as an important group within the Basidiomycota are known for their ecological role in the forest ecosystem in terms of decaying living and dead trees and recycling nutrients in forest ecosystems. Many new species were revealed in the last five years. In the present study, during an ongoing study on Scytinostroma, a new species of Scytinostroma was found from China. It is described and illustrated on the basis of the morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Scytinostromabambusinum sp. nov. is described as a new species, based on morphological and molecular evidence. It is characterised by annual, resupinate and broadly ellipsoid basidiomata with white to cream hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal structure with generative hyphae bearing simple septa, the presence of cystidioles and amyloid basidiospores measuring 5.5-7 × 4-5.3 µm. Phylogeny, based on molecular data of ITS and nLSU sequences, shows that the new species forms an independent lineage and is different in morphology from the existing species of Scytinostroma.

Coriolopsis strumosa as an Orchid Endophytic Fungus and Its Spatial Distribution in Epidendrum sp. (Orchidaceae).

Coriolopsis spp. are wood-decaying fungi that inhabit forests. They are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. Strain Epi910 was isolated from the asymbiotically germinated protocorm of Epidendrum sp. and identified as Coriolopsis strumosa. Symbiotic germination and high-throughput sequencing of the endophytic fungal communities of different parts were performed to characterize the function and spatial distribution of the Epi910 isolate. Under symbiotic germination, Epi910 promoted seed germination and seedling formation as an endophytic native fungus of Epidendrum sp. Endophytic fungal communities from seven different parts of Epidendrum sp. were characterized. In total, 645 OTUs were identified; 30 OTUs were shared among all seven parts. The internal transcribed spacer sequence of Epi910 was identical to that of a dominant shared OTU (OTU6). The relative abundance of OTU6 in the seven parts was identified as follows: capsule pericarp > seed > root > asymbiotically germinated protocorm > epiphytic root > ovary > rachis. Our results suggest that the isolate belonging to Coriolopsis strumosa could promote the germination of Epidendrum sp. There may, therefore, be endophytic fungi other than common orchid mycorrhizal fungi with the ability to enhance germination in orchids.

Once upon a Time, There Was a Piece of Wood: Present Knowledge and Future Perspectives in Fungal Deterioration of Wooden Cultural Heritage in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Diagnostic Tools.

Wooden Cultural Heritage (WCH) represents a significant portion of the world's historical and artistic heritage, consisting of immovable and movable artefacts. Despite the expertise developed since ancient times to enhance its durability, wooden artefacts are inevitably prone to degradation. Fungi play a pivotal role in the deterioration of WCH in terrestrial ecosystems, accelerating its decay and leading to alterations in color and strength. Reviewing the literature of the last 25 years, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of fungal diversity affecting WCH, the biochemical processes involved in wood decay, and the diagnostic tools available for fungal identification and damage evaluation. Climatic conditions influence the occurrence of fungal species in threatened WCH, characterized by a prevalence of wood-rot fungi (e.g., Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana) in architectural heritage in temperate and continental climates and Ascomycota in indoor and harsh environments. More efforts are needed to address the knowledge fragmentation concerning biodiversity, the biology of the fungi involved, and succession in the degradative process, which is frequently centered solely on the main actors. Multidisciplinary collaboration among engineers, restorers, and life sciences scientists is vital for tackling the challenges posed by climate change with increased awareness. Traditional microbiology and culture collections are fundamental in laying solid foundations for a more comprehensive interpretation of big data.

The urea treatment of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) logs promotes wood decay and wood discoloration

ABSTRACT Silver birch Betula pendula Roth is a widely distributed tree species in northern Europe, the wood of which is extensively used to produce plywood and veneer. However, birch wood is highly susceptible to fungal decay and discoloration. This study investigated the effectiveness of urea treatment against fungi causing discoloration in birch logs. The effect of urea treatment was evaluated in two settings, i.e. in the forest and in the log yard. In the forest, 80 one-meter-long stem segments were produced and half of them were treated with 35% urea solution and the other half with water. To simulate mechanical bark injury, half of the segments were deliberately damaged before storage. In the log yard, 60 stem segments were similarly prepared to assess fungal species colonizing wood during long-term storage. The results showed that urea-treated and bark-damaged logs exhibit the highest rate of wood discoloration, which increased with prolonged storage. Fungal isolation from wood samples identified a higher diversity of fungal species in samples from the log yard. The most frequently isolated fungi were ascomycetes from the genus Ophiostoma. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the urea treatment is an ineffective measure against fungi causing discoloration in birch wood.