In-vitro studies on wood degradation in soil by soft-rot fungi: Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum

This paper focuses on the biodegradation of wood by two soft-rot fungi, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum, in soil which was artificially infested. The structural changes of pine and sycamore wood were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Surprisingly, soft-rot fungi tolerate low moisture to cause extensive decay in the wood samples. The micrographs showed differences in hyphae colonization and wood degradation patterns between soft-rot species under this study; A. niger produced soft-rot decay type I (cavity formation) and soft-rot decay type II (erosion), while P. chrysogenum caused only soft-rot decay type II.

► I tested the effect of soft-rot fungi; Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum on wood in soil. ► I examine the changes in the wood samples using SEM. ► There are differences in degradation patterns between soft-rot species under this study in both softwood and hardwood. ► P. chrysogenum has been grown more intense and degraded wood more aggressively than A. niger.