Wood decay by Inonotus rickii and Bjerkandera adusta: a structural (micro and ultra) approach

ROBLES, CAROLINA; CASTRO, MARÍA AGUEDA; LOPEZ, SILVIA

IAWA JOURNAL

INT ASSOC WOOD ANATOMISTS

Lugar: Leiden; Año: 2014 vol. 35 p. 51 - 60

0928-1541

Bjerkandera adusta (Willd.) P. Karst and Inonotus rickii (Pat.) D.A. Reid are important xylophagous fungi affecting street trees in Buenos Aires City, Argentina. The objective of this paper is to describe the decay patterns produced by these species in London plane wood (Platanus acerifolia (Ait.) Willd.), which is one of the most abundant tree species in the city, through light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A better knowledge of the decay patterns of these fungi at early stages would provide useful information for optimizing tree management programs. Microscopic observations showed that B. adusta, having caused an important loss of dry weight, showed more extensive degradation on wood after three months than I. rickii, affecting mainly fiber walls with potential consequences in tree strength and stiffness. I. rickii, on the other hand, selectively affected vessel walls and middle lamella between fibers, probably impacting on xylem conductivity. Rays remained unaltered in all decayed wood.