On the occurrence of Phialophora species in preservative treated wood in ground contact

IRG/WP 163

T Nilsson, B Henningsson

Phialophora is a fairly large genus comprising about thirty described species. They are widespread in very diverse environments, such as soil, sea water, wood and wood pulps. Some species are known as parasites on plants and animals, including man. Phialophora species were early known for their ability to produce blue stain in timber. Later it was discovered that several species were able to produce soft rot in wood. After the presentation of several papers given in Berlin 1975 at the symposium "Organisms and Wood" and the subsequent discussions at the meeting of the IRG/WP in Jadwisin, Poland the same year, it became obvious that species of Phialophora were important in the biodegradation of wood and preservative treated wood in particular. It was decided to give more attention to this group of fungi. Phialophora hoffmannii was mentioned as especially important. No papers on this item were presented at the 8th IRG meeting in Switzerland in 1976. However, the discussions as to the importance of the Phialophora species were continued. The present paper is an attempt to compile information concerning the occurence of various Phialophora species from our own studies in Sweden and from the existing literature. The material investigated in Sweden consisted of preservative treated test stakes and posts as well as electricity and telegraph poles in service. The main contribution, however, comes from a specially designed study, where posts of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) were v/p-treated with a CCA-preservative and installed in two different test fields in Sweden.


Keywords: CCA; FAGUS SYLVATICA; FIELD TEST; FUNGI; GROUND CONTACT; PHIALOPHORA; PHIALOPHORA HOFFMANNII; PINUS SYLVESTRIS; POST

Conference: 77-09-26/30 Noordwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands


Download document (845 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document