The selected properties of Scots pine wood blue-stained by fungus Cladosporium herbarum

IRG/WP 03-10484

A Fojutowski

The fungi causing primary blue-stain of wood may change wood properties especially when acting in mixture of few fungi species. There were been undertaken investigation to clear the influence of pure culture of one fungus species on selected physical and mechanical properties of Scots pine wood. The twin samples of fresh cut Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) were exposed into pure culture of Cladosporium herbarum Pers. ex Fries action through 1, 3 and 12 month. The wood properties of infested wood samples were compared with properties of twin control wood samples after each incubation period. The blue-stained wood changed on the surface and inside - became grey-black in colour (the entirely change of colour - ∆E – measured by colorimetric Datacolor equipment was from about 19 after 1 month to about 30 after 12 month when the blue stain depth enlarged from 0,7 mm - after 1 month to 5,0 mm (=whole cross - section) after 12 month). The wood absorptiveness increased greatly in the period of fungus action. The statistically essential changes were just after 12 month of the fungus action mainly in decreases of: the impact (mean drop about 20%), the compression along the grains of blue stained wood (mean drop about 6%) and modulus of torsional rigidity (mean drop 3,6%). The stated changes in blue stained wood were similar to caused by pure culture of Ceratocystis imperfecta fungus and mixture of fungi (Ceratocystis imperfecta, Cladosporium herbarum, Discula pinicola).


Keywords: Blue stain, fungus, Cladosporium herbarum, wood, properties, changes

Conference: 03-05-18/23 Brisbane, Australia


Download document (573 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document