Changes in moisture content and color of the cambial zone in bolts of pine stemwood during colonization by Fomes annosus

Abstract
Two isolates of Fomes annosus were found to grow with equal rapidity (about 12 mm per day at 24 C) through, or over, a split surface of fresh sapwood in bolts cut from pine stems, and at a similar rate over the surface of malt-extract agar. Since growth through wood was not substantially slower than growth over a similar but obstacle-free surface, penetration of cell walls by formation of boreholes or penetration of pit pairs evidently is a rapid process.As the fungus progressed through the bolts longitudinally, marked browning of the cambial zone was observed at whatever distance from the inoculated end of the bolts the fungus could be isolated. Also, as much as 13% of the water present was moved from infected portions of inoculated bolts to portions not yet colonized by the fungus. No satisfactory explanation for the observed movement of water was discovered although several hypotheses were considered or tested.

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