Application of molecular genetic methods for identification of wood-decaying fungi in wood constructions

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the utilization of molecular biology methods for detection of wood decaying fungi directly from decomposed wood using a commercial DNA extraction kit developed for soil substrates (PowerSoil™ DNA isolation kit). The experiment based on dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) detection from inoculated wooden pieces under laboratory conditions was followed by field detection of wood-decaying fungi from wood structures on building constructions. Fungal DNA was identified using the PCR–based methods including species-specific PCR and sequencing of amplified ITS region of ribosomal DNA.

Keywords

• wood
• fungi
• <i>Serpula lacrymans</i>
• <i>Donkioporia expansa</i>
• <i>Amylostereum areolatum</i>
• <i>Cladosporium oxysporium</i>