Colonisation and detection of New Zealand sapstain fungi

IRG/WP 00-10329

J M Thwaites, R L Farrell

Sapstain is the bluish black discolouration in logs and timber caused in New Zealand by Sphaeropsis sapinea (Diploida pinea) and more than twenty different species of the Ophiostomataceae Family. Laboratory and field trials were conducted by inoculating radiata pine to establish staining colour and extent of colonisation with various New Zealand sapstaining fungal species. Colonisation patterns, competitive ability and the amount of stain development of the staining fungi were followed over time. Ophiostoma floccosum and O. piceae were most dominant colonisers in this field trial, showing persistence against other sapstaining species trying to colonise the logs. There is considerable confusion to customers concerning what constitutes sapstain and particularly confusion of sapstain with mould species. Development of an antibody assay for Sphaeropsis sapinea and the major Ophiostomataceae strains could be used by industry and customers to differentiate between moulds and decay fungi and the presence or absence of sapstain even before staining hyphae are apparent. This presentation discussed the practicalities of sapstain antibody detection for use in forest, mill sites and for marketing purposes.


Keywords: OPHIOSTOMA SPECIES; SPHAEROPSIS SAPINEA; COLONISATION; RADIATA PINE; COMPETITION; ANTIBODIES

Conference: 00-05-14/19 Kona, Hawaii, USA


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