Permeability of poplar normal wood and tension wood bioincised by Physisporinus vitreus and Xylaria longipes

• Bioincising impacts of Physisporinus vitreus and Xylaria longipes on the porous structure and permeability of poplar normal and tension wood was examined.
• P. vitreus and X. longipes had a negative effect on the wood permeability, probably due to blocking the fluid flow paths by the fungi hyphae.
• Radial permeability of poplar tension wood cannot be controlled by G-layer.

Bioincising impacts of white-rot fungus, Physisporinus vitreus and soft-rot fungus, Xylaria longipes on the porous structure and radial permeability of poplar normal wood and tension wood were studied. Fungal cultivation was performed in an incubator at 25 °C and 85% relative humidity for 15, 30 and 45 days. Fracture of pectin-rich gelatinous layer of tension wood occurred due to incubation with P. vitreus. However, a simultaneous degradation in the cell walls and middle lamellae was observed. Both fungi had negative effects on the permeability, probably due to blocking of fluid flow paths by the fungal hyphae. Reduction in the permeability was more remarkable with P. vitreus. Our results showed that the role of G-layer containing fibers can be neglected for radial permeability of tension wood. Overall, such fungal bioincising techniques cannot be considered as successful approaches to improve the permeability of tension wood.