A COMPARISON OF AGAR EXPOSURE AND VERMICULITE BURIAL METHODS FOR PREPARING BASIDIOMYCETE-COLONIZED WOOD

Wood uniformly colonized by a test fungus is required for many applica tions, including evaluation of biocides, examination of fungal effects on mechanical properties, and extraction of fungal enzymes. Uniform c olonization is achieved most often by placing the wood above or on the surf ace of a fungal colony growing on agar. This study compares the agar method with the use of vermiculite in a plastic bag as a medium f or fungal growth. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-ftr blocks, each inoculat ed with one of three fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Postia placenta, or Trametes versicolor), were prepared by each method. Fungal colonizatio n varied widely in wood prepared by both methods, reflecting the natur al variation in colonization by the fungi. The two methods were equall y useful for preparing fungus-colonized wood, but the vermiculite meth od was simpler, took less time, and required less storage space than t he agar method.