RIGIDOPORUS LINEATUS (PERS.) RYVARDEN IN FIRE SALVAGED LOGS STORED UNDER WATER SPRINKLERS IN SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

In January, 1996, the decay fungus Rigidoporus lineatus was found in s alvaged logs of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii stored under sprinklers following plantation fires at Beerburrum in south east Queensland in 1994. In March the incidence of logs with fungal fruitbodies varied be tween 5% and 100% in different bays. Colonies of R. lineatus formed da rk brown zones within the sapwood associated with white, branching, my celial fans beneath the bark and branching mycelial cords on the bark surface. Advanced decay formed a white pocket rot. Isolates of R. line atus showed optimum radial growth over the range 22 - 30 degrees C. Gr owth rates decreased only slightly as atmospheric oxygen was reduced t o trace levels, suggesting that among wood decay fungi R, lineatus may be better adapted to maintaining growth in the reduced oxygen regime present in wet stored logs. Colony growth was minimal in logs when bar k was removed, but extension in undisturbed logs during storage may oc cur through development of the mycelial fans beneath intact bark and r adial growth into the sapwood. R. lineatus fruits naturally in Queensl and at least between late December and late April, and results of cult ural pairing implied the formation of primary colonies in the stored l ogs by means of basidiospores. It is therefore surmised that partially dried logs became colonised from large numbers of spores of R. lineat us while being harvested and stored during the summer-autumn fruiting period, 1994 - 95. Further research is needed to better understand the behaviour and growth of R. lineatus and to determine the feasibility of sprinkler storage of logs in south east Queensland.