Interaction of Live Sapwood and Fungi Commonly Found in Discolored and Decayed Wood

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Abstract
Interactions between fungi found in discolored and decayed wood of living sweetgum [Liquidambar styraciflua] and yellow-poplar [Liriodendron tulipifera] trees and living sapwood were studied in vitro. Early colonizers (Ceratocystis coerulescens, Fusarium oxysporum and F. moniliforme) of discolored wood found within 30 days of wounding: usually grow on live sapwood without inducing wood discoloration, grow at concentrations of gallic acid inhibitory to decay fungi, do not persist on dead wood and initially outcompete other fungi that colonize wood, but are readily replaced by decay fungi on dead wood. More persistent colonizers (Phialophora bubakii and P. melinii) of discolored wood: neither grow on live sapwood nor induce its discoloration, grow at levels of gallic acid inhibitory to decay fungi, persist in wood by utilizing some cell wall substances and cannot compete with either early colonizers or decay fungi on living or dead sapwood. Decay fungi (such as Pleurotus ostreatus) which commonly are found on living trees: grow on live sapwood only if they induce discoloration and grow well only after dark pigments have been removed, are inhibited by levels of gallic acid that have no effect on the growth of the former 2 groups of fungi and replace early colonizers in dead wood. Some decay fungi may cause wood discoloration following wounding independent of pioneer fungi and induce a host response which suppresses their growth and temporarily allows pioneer fungi and bacteria to flourish.

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