Degradation ability of wood decay fungi in teak (Tectona grandis L.) wood under storage condition

Aim: The present study was undertaken to provide basic knowledge about the teak woody biomass degradation ability of wood decay fungi. Methodology: Wood decay fungi was isolated from the decayed wood samples collected from teak wood logs. The weight loss of teak wood and moisture content were assessed under in-vitro condition by incubating the teak wood block with the isolated fungi. Further, the secretion of ligninolytic enzymes viz.. laccase, lignin peroxidise (LIP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) produced by wood decay fungi were assessed to understand their degrading ability. Results: Wood decay fungi namely, Daldinia concentrica, Ganoderma lucidum, Lenzites betulina, Ganoderma tsugae, Trametes versicolor and Schizophyllum commune, were isolated from teak wood logs as pure culture and were used for studying their degrading ability. Higher degrading percentage of 10.50 and 12.0 was recorded with L. betulina and T. versicolor inoculated wood blocks on 60th day of incubation. Similarly, the maximum moisture content of 54.45 and 50.00 percent was recorded with L. betulina and T. versicolor at 60th day of incubation in teak wood blocks. Supporting these results, L. betulina showed increased secretion of laccase, LiP and MnP enzyme activity to the level of 0.60, 0.056 and 0.26U ml(-1), respectively. Interpretation: The results of the present study gives an understanding on the degrading ability of wood decay fungi which can be used to devise integrated management practices to minimise the losses under storage.