Degradation of Scots pine and beech wood exposed in four test fields used for testing of wood preservatives

Four fields for testing wood preservatives were characterized regarding type of rot, fungi present in wood stakes by DNA-identification to genus/species level and by degradation rate. Results were compared with a previous >10 years old study of the same test fields regarding decay type. In all four test fields the major wood degrading fungi were identified to species or genus level by isolation and DNA-sequencing. Two of the test fields showed areas that could be described as “hot spots” that could be used for accelerated testing of wood protection systems. To visualize interior fungal decay throughout stakes, cross sections were made at every 2 cm. These cross sections were used in image analysis and compared with results from the traditional pick test. This provided an opportunity to identify where in the stake degradation took place and its distribution throughout the stake. Results from both methods correlated well regarding white- and brown rot decay. Combining image analysis with data concerning rot type and fungal genus/species represents a useful approach for testing new wood protection systems.

► Combining traditional pick test with image analysis. ► Visualizing internal fungal degradation in wood stakes. ► Fungal DNA-identification from four test fields.