Interaction between fungi in wood blocks

Abstract

The decaying ability of Polyporus versicolor, Polyporus hirsutus, Polyporus adustus, and two Peniophora spp. was tested in small blocks of either hardwood or softwood in which selected xylophilous fungi had been allowed to develop as the primary saprophyte. The xylophilous fungi used were Scytalidium lignicola, Paecilomyces varioti, Trichoderma viride, Gliocladium viride, Hypocrea gelatinosa, a Penicillium sp., and C134 (Mycelia sterilia). All except H. gelatinosa could inhibit decay by the five wood-rotting fungi provided that the blocks were not autoclaved between inoculations. The results are interpreted mainly in terms of an early depletion of more accessible nutrients by the primary saprophyte, hindering the normally rapid process of colonization by secondary fungi.