Influence of O2and CO2on Wood Decay by Heartrot and Saprot Fungi

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Abstract
The effect of various partial pressures of O2 (0.01, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 atm) and CO2 (0.004, 0.1, and 0.2 atm) on decay in sapwood and heartwood by 4 heartrot fungi (Phellinus everhartii, P. igniarius, P. ferrugineofuscus and Inonotus glomeratus) and 3 saprot fungi (P. ferreus, P. ferruginosus and Poria medulla-panis) was studied to determine whether heartrot fungi possess ligninolytic and cellulolytic systems tolerant of low O2 and high CO2 levels. Decay caused by both groups of fungi was reduced by low O2 (0.01 and 0.1 atm) and high CO2 (0.1 and 0.2 atm). Increasing O2 partial pressures above 0.1 atm enhanced decay by the saprot more than by the heartrot fungi. The saprot fungi were generally more selective in lignin removal than were the heartrot fungi. The unique ecology of the heartrot fungi is not attributable to an unusual ability to decompose wood at the high CO2 and low O2 concentrations found in the hearts of living trees.