SELECTIVE ACTION OF FUNGUS-INHIBITORY PROPERTIES OF BALSAM FIR HEARTWOOD

Abstract

Heartwood of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) has been found highly selective for Stereum sanguinolentum Alb. & Schw. ex Fr. and other primary invaders of this host. In tests with a number of species of fungi, including several important tree pathogens, this substrate exhibited fungus-inhibitory properties hitherto unsuspected on the basis of tests with heat-sterilized material. Tests have shown that the inhibitory property is more active in heart-wood than in sapwood, is substantially reduced by wet heat ([Formula: see text] hour at 100 °C), and is relatively unaffected by dry storage (3 years at room temperature). The selective action did not depend upon the microbiological condition of the wood.