The objectives of this IRG COLLABORATIVE BASIDIOMYCETE TEST are to compare results and assess reproducibility of a miniaturised wood block toxicity test when undertaken by different workers in different laboratories. The co-operative scientists and institutes are: Dr K Messner from Vienna (Austria); Dr R S Smith from Forintek (Canada); Mr J Hansen from Sadolins (Denmark); Mr B Jensen from Gori (Denmark); Professor M Fougerousse from CTFT (France); Professor M Gersonde from BAM (Germany); Professor O Wälchli from EMPA (Switzerland); Dr A F Bravery from PRL (UK); Dr A Lewis from Hicksons (UK); Dr C Coggins from Rentokil (UK) Miss J M Taylor from Protim (UK); Dr E L Schmidt from Mississippi (USA). Scheme: Each laboratory to receive samples of PCP and CCA (as Tanalith CT 106) from PRL for comparable tests using mini-block system and own preferred method if desired. Wood blocks: Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris) 30x10x5 mm³ annual rings (2-6 per cm) parallel with 5 mm face (see Appendix A for suggested cutting scheme). Six replicates per concentration and additional three controls. Two treated and one untreated per culture vessel recommended. Preservative: PCP (in analar toluene) - PRL to despatch; CCA - (sample of Tanalith CT 106) - PRL to despatch. Concentration: PCP: 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% W/W; CCA: 0, 0.01, 0.04, 0.1, 0.25, 0.6 and 1.5% W/W. Test fungi: European standard strain Coniophora puteana (BAM 15) for PCP and CCA (PRL to despatch). Additional strains as preferred by participants. Incubation: 6 weeks at 22°C ± 1°C and 65 rh ± 5%. Care must be taken to ensure that the humidity in closed incubation cabinets does not exceed the figure given. Medium: 5% malt extract agar (2% agar). Optionally participants may wish to use in addition a sterilised soil/wood feeder block system for comparison. Sterilised filter papers have been used successfully as feeder strips in the petri-dish system. Culture vessels: Petri dishes (90x16 mm approximately) each containing 20 ml agar medium or sterilised soil if preferred. If alternative culture vessels are employed in comparative tests, they should provide a broadly similar surface area and ratio of amount of wood substance to growth medium. Supports: PVC or nylon mesh recommended (approximately 5-7 mm² openings and 2 mm thick). Sterilisation: PCP treated blocks must not be sterilised using propylene or ethylene oxide - radiation is preferred (see Appendix B). Scale: 7 concentrations: 6 replicants per concentration + 3 controls; 7x9 = 63 blocks per preservative / per fungus; 3 culture vessels per concentration = 21 culture vessels per preservative / per fungus. Results: A suggested format for summarising results is attached. Completed results sheets should be returned to Dr A F Bravery as soon as possible in order that a collation can be prepared for the next meeting of IRG in Yugoslavia (May 1981).

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