Project Number: WVA00076
CRIS Number: 0172553
BIORATIONAL PROTECTION
OF APPALACHIAN HARDWOODS
Investigators: Dawson-Andoh,
B. E.
Termination Date: 09/30/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/2001
to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
Microbial ecology of freshly sawn yellow-poplar lumber in two seasons with
respect to isolation, occurence, and identification of fungi, bacteria, and
yeast in two seasons, was studied. In a dead-stacked package of green yellow-poplar
lumber, the total abundance of fungi and bacteria [log (10)CFU/g] represented
the largest portion of the isolated microbial community on green yellow-poplar.
It accounted for 41% and 43% respectively. Of the 427 total fungal isolates,
twelve genera and fourteen species were identified. The genus, Penicillium,
had the most species that were identified and P. implicatum accounted for 29.7%
of the total fungal isolates obtained. No significant difference (P>0.05)
in the total abundance of fungi were observed with respect to storage duration
(60 days) or seasons. No physical factor (ambient temperature, moisture content,
pH, and precipitation) showed any effect on overall abundance of fungi. Bacillus
sp dominated among the bacteria and accounted for 42% of the total bacteria
identified. Bacteria abundance was influenced by the average temperature in
the period leading to the sampling date. Bacteria abundance in spring and summer
was significantly different (P >0.05). Yeast represented the lowest amount
of the total population and constituted 16% of the isolated microflora. Trichosporon
cutaneum was the most frequently isolated yeast. The genus Candida was represented
by the most the most species and included C. spaerica, C. kefyr, C. montana,
C. steatolytica, C. humicola, and C. incommunis. Yeast colonize lumber immediately
after sawing of green lumber.
Publications:
(No publications reported.)
Impact:
Provide a basis for the study of the microbial ecology of green hardwood lumber.
Provide a starting point for the development of efficacious biological control
technology for the prevention of discoloration of green hardwood lumber by mold
and sapstain fungi.