MSA 2016-Fungal Colonization of Wood in Ground Contact

*Torres Andrade, Paola(1), Cappellazzi, Jed(1), Morrell, Jeff J.(1) 1.Oregon State University, College of Forestry, Department of Wood Science, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA. patoan5@gmail.com

Abstract

Fungal colonization patterns in wood vary with wood species, uses and exposure conditions. These patterns are fundamental to understanding the micro- bial ecology of the decay process. There is limited knowledge about fungal com- munity composition changes over the course of wood decay in ground contact. In this study, patterns of fungal colonization of western red cedar, Douglas-fir and alder were assessed using a culture-dependent molecular approach in a ground- contact field test. Field stakes were installed near Corvallis-Oregon, US and retrieved for fungi colonization evaluation at 3-months intervals over 24 months of exposure. Multivariate analyses of data from fungal cultures recovered and sequenced from individual wood samples were conducted using PC-ORD 7.29. Questions of interest included: 1) Do fungal communities differ between wood species and among periods of outdoor exposure? 2) What species differentiate wood types and periods of exposure?

The wood types supported a diverse fungal community. Ascomycota were far more abundant than Basidiomycetes. Decay fungi incluede Trametes versicolor, Postia placenta and Phanerochaetae sp. Fun- gal community composition fluctuated seasonally over time and among the wood types according to Multi-Response Permutation Procedures (MRPP) analysis. Composition of fungal communities was associated with changes in precipitation and temperature at each exposure period. Fungal frequency was much higher in less durable wood species (sapwood of Douglas -fir or alder). Molds and sapstain fungi such as Phialophora mustea, which are commonly found in soil were the predominant species. Further analysis is undergoing. Poster P51 https://msafungi.org/Portals/0/Inoculum/Inoc%2067(4).pdf