Presents a coherent examination of wood decay processes, with close the biology fungi involved. Brings together diverse material on complex interactions between resources, organisms, and environment--all which influence process. Provides detailed coverage microenvironment wood, nature organisms inhabiting it, various ways in influences natural human-made ecosystems. In addition to in-depth technical information, authors present personal speculative views designed provoke debate stimulate new...

Contributors Preface Nomenclature 1. The fungal mycelium - and historical perspective P. H. Gregory 2. Regulation of hyphal branching orientation A. J. Trinci 3. Colony ontogeny in basidiomycetes G. M. Butler 4. Hyphal interactions Schizophyllum commune: the di-mon mating T. Nguyen D. Niderpruem 5. fusion Coriolus versicolor R. C. Aylmore N. K. Todd 6. mycelial habit secondary metabolite production O. Moss 7. Water flow through mycelia Jennings 8. Morphogenesis Serpula lacrimans colony...

The mycelium of higher fungi is portrayed as a developmentally versatile collective in which an initially dendritic pattern branching converted, by hyphal anastomosis, into communication network. Spatial and functional patterns the depend on establishment gradients allowing flow protoplasmic resources organelles via radial or tangential routes between source sink regions. Anastomosis genetically different mycelia same closely related species sets stage for varying outcomes genomic interplay...

S ummary It is argued that the development of decay in living hardwoods can best be explained terms unsuitability functional sapwood for mycelial establishment owing to its high moisture content and lack easily assimilable nutrients other than within cells. Decay occurs when these limitations are removed by any mechanisms which prevent or interfere with normal functioning sapwood. Recent concepts trees have implied an active host defence against infection. This view discussed alternative...

ABSTRACTThe mycelium of higher fungi is portrayed as a developmentally versatile collective in which an initially dendritic pattern branching converted, by hyphal anastomosis, into communication network. Spatial and functional patterns the depend on establishment gradients allowing flow protoplasmic resources organelles via radial or tangential routes between source sink regions. Anastomosis genetically different mycelia same closely related species sets stage for varying outcomes genomic...

S ummary From sites in south‐west England attached oak ( Quercus robur ) branches bearing basidiomycete sporophores were cut down from mature trees, and the three‐dimensional structure of their decay communities analysed. Twelve basidiomycetes characterized communities. These fungi varied ecology, particularly relation to ability colonize living wood, interaction with each other animals. Phellinus ferreus, Stereum gausapatum Vuilleminia comedens pioneers actively growing partially causing...

SUMMARY: Wood blocks colonized by the basidiomycetes Hypholoma fasciculare and Phanerochaete velutina were placed in plastic trays containing moist unsterilized soil. Both fungi grew out radially from inoculum form of networks mycelial cords. When a second, uncolonized wood block, or set blocks, was provided as ‘bait’ about 5 cm marked changes growth characteristics network followed contact with bait. These influenced relative size bait included inhibition radial extension inoculum;...

Wood undergoing decay by a variety of white-rotting Basidiomycetes often contains narrow, dark, relatively undecayed zones separating decayed regions. Isolates derived from either side such zones, although the same fungal species, are frequently antagonistic. Methods described for investigating genetic basis and significance intraspecific antagonism in natural populations fungi within individual stumps logs. Results obtained Coriolus versicolorshow that decaying wood occupied this fungus...

S ummary The spatial development, in beech logs exposed to air‐borne and soil‐borne inoculum, of mature fungal communities containing mutually or unilaterally exclusive mycelia decay species is described related the ecological strategies interaction participant individuals. A combative heirarchy recognized between (i) ruderal and/or stress‐tolerant individuals which are spatially dominant early on then decline, through (ii) fungi, such as Coriolus versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quél. Stereum...

summary Inoculum blocks of wood colonized by the basidiomycetes Hypholoma fasciculare (Huds.: Fr.) Kummer and Phanerochaete velutina (DC: Pers.) Parmasto were placed in plastic trays containing moist (matric potential −0.007 MPa), unsterilized soil. When ‘baits’, form beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) blocks, descaled pine Primus sylvestris cones, twigs, leaves or needles introduced, H. consistently responded ramification diffuse mycelium within over baits, inhibition extension regression...

SUMMARY Substantial mycelial cord systems of Hypholoma fasciculare (Huds. ex Fr.) Kummer, Phallus impudicus (L.) Pers., Phanerochaete (Ph.) velutina (DC Pers.) Parmasto, laevis (Fr.) Erikss. & Ryv. and Steccherinum fimbriatum (Pers. had developed 2 years alter direct inoculation into the soil litter a range woodland sites. Where species been inoculated individually, distribution patterns were strongly related m availability colonizability various components. different co‐inoculated in...

S ummary More than 450 beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) logs, 10 to 20 cm in diameter and 30 40 long, were cut from freshly felled trees placed upright 1 m apart with their bases buried up deep the ground a plot of about 600 2 mixed deciduous woodland Forest Dean, Gloucestershire, UK. Fungal colonization via aerial surfaces was studied – some cases following inoculation basidiospores using combination direct indirect techniques. A wide variety ascomycetes, basidiomycetes fungi imperfecti...