Effects of epyxilous fungus Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull. ex Fr.) murrill on the deccomposition of oak wood

Abstract

Testing samples were collected from the medulla of healthy oak trees in Eastern Serbia, from the association of Quercetum montanum. Over the periods of 2, 4 and 6 months the wood samples were exposed to influence of the mycelia of the fungus causing cubical brown rot on oak. Given that static modulus of rupture provides the quickest and clearest way to observe destruction caused by epixylous fungi, this paper researched the decrease in modulus of rupture of Sessile oak wood due to influence of causers of cubical brown rot. The samples have been exposed to the impact of the mycelia of the brown rot fungus on oak tree Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull. ex Fr.) Murrill (Sulphur Polypore). Effect of to the impact of the brown rot fungi was investigated, in decrease of static modulus of rupture Quercus petraea agg. The static modulus of rupture caused by L. sulphureus after 2, 4 and 6 months decreased in comparison with initial ones (100%) and reached 91.73, 75.17 and 63.25%. By using correlation analyses of Q. petraea agg. static modulus of rupture - ss (dependent variable) of fungi time influence (T-independent variable) strong correlation between variables was established, and regression equation is: ss= 151.514 ± 30,657 √ T The regression line obtained through data processing opened the possibility to prognosticate the changes of wood properties in certain time periods of the effect of the fungus under the unchanged external conditions, which is significant for practical purposes in terms of taking protective measures and wood usability.