Eradication of wood decay fungi by means of radio frequency

IRG/WP 98-10292

F Pohleven, J Resnik, A Kobe

High frequency electromagnetic fields i.e. radio frequency (RF) are used in wood industry for heating, gluing and bending of wood and are also appropriate for eradicating of wood decay fungi and insects. We investigated the effects of RF exposure on wood samples which were in vitro infected by Coniophora puteana, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Lentinus lepideus. For each fungus, the lethal temperature and time of exposure were determined. The efficacy of RF treatment was visually evaluated from regeneration of mycelia by subsequent exposure of treated wood samples on growth media. The eradication was dependent on the fungus species, temperature and duration of exposure to RF of 4.75 MHz. The most sensitive was Coniophora puteana (destroyed in 4 minutes at 75°C), less sensitive Lentinus lepideus (in 10 minutes at 90°C) and the least, Gloeophyllum trabeum (in 12 minutes at 90°C). At low temperatures, the time of exposure had to be adequately longer.


Keywords: RADIO FREQUENCY HEATING; ERADICATION; CONIOPHORA PUTEANA; GLOEOPHYLLUM TRABEUM; LENTINUS LEPIDEUS; TIME OF EXPOSURE; LETHAL TEMPERATURES

Conference: 98-06-14/19 Maastricht, The Low Countries


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