Identification of staining fungi in imported Norway spruce lumber

Abstract

Imported lumber of Norway spruce called European spruce (Picea abies L.) from Russia have a variety of applications. However, the presence of fungal agents in this wood, their application is limited. In addition, some the fungi associated with these woods are able to cause disease in human. In order to identify the presence of such fungi in the imported woods from Russia, samples were collected from Asalem region. Isolation and preparation of pure colonies of fungi grown on woods was done using ascosporic or conidial mass suspensions and single spore method. The morphological characteristics of fungi grown on wood pieces and on culture media were studied using light microscope. The results showed that Ophiostoma piceae in sexual phase and Sporothrix sp. and Graphium spp. in asexual phase are present in these woods. In the culture, Ophiostoma sp. with asexual stage of Sporothrix sp. and Ceratocystis sp. with asexual stage of Chalara spp. was identified. The results of microscopic examination of woods in cross and radial sections showed that fungal hypha penetrated the resin canals, the ray parenchyma, tracheids, and cross-field areas

Keywords

• Stain fungi
• imported woods
• Fungal hypha
• Microscopic studies