Studies on the degradative ability of the blue stain fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae Pat. have shown several strains to cause significant weight losses (i.e. ca 20%) in the temperate and tropical wood species, aspen (Populus tremula) and rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis). In addition to the consumption of soluble carbohydrates and extractives, major changes in the ultrastructure of fibre cell walls was apparent with rapid attack of the gelatinous layer noted. In both wood species following G layer degradation, early wood fibres showed true cell wall degradation with pronounced erosion attack suggesting that prior destruction of the G layer afforded greater accessibility and ease of attack of the outer secondary cell layers.

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