In vitro decay studies of selective delignification and simultaneous decay by the white rot fungi Ganoderma lucidum and G. tsugae

Abstract

The in vitro wood decay abilities of Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) Karst. and G. tsugae Murr. were studied using the following woods in agar block decay chambers: Vitis vinifera L., Quercus hypoleucoides A. Camus, Prosopis velutina Woot., Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex. Hildebr., and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. Grape wood lost the most weight while mesquite the least. Ganoderma lucidum isolates generally caused greater weight loss of all woods than did G. tsugae isolates. The range of the percent weight losses varied with the wood. Both Ganoderma species caused simultaneous decay in all woods. However, chemical analyses of the decayed blocks indicated that selective delignification by both species also occurred in grape and white fir blocks. Chemical analysis of the decayed oak blocks indicated the percentages of lignin and holocellulose were not statistically different from the controls. However, there was a trend towards delignification. The analyses of the Douglas-fir blocks indicated only simultaneous decay. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated selective delignification and simultaneous decay of all woods tested. However, the extent of the delignification differed among the wood species. Delignification appeared mainly in areas of tracheids or fiber tracheids, while the rays were simultaneously decayed.