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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2009

Abstract

A range of studies the last decade have shown that modified wood can provide excellent protection against a range of wood deteriorating organisms, including decay fungi. However, we still lack information about why the modified wood is protected from microbial attack. Several hypotheses have been put forward e.g. inhibition of action of specific enzymes, but they still need testing. An understanding of the mechanisms utilized by decay fungi when exposed to modified wood is important for further optimisation of new modified wood products. In this study gene expression of the brown rot fungus Postia placenta has been monitored after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of colonization in furfurylated Scots pine and control samples. Preliminary results are given. The main finding was that genes related to oxidative metabolic activity was higher in furfurylated wood compared to untreated Scots pine, and that carbohydrate metabolism related expression was lower in furfurylated wood compared to untreated control.

Abstract

Mechanical strength properties are the most important feature of wood in constructions. In decaying wood strength loss can precede mass loss. Hence, both in laboratory and outdoor applications non-destructive measurement methods for early decay detection are in demand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ultrasonic pulse propagation as a tool for decay detection in different laboratory setups. A dynamic MOE (MOEdyn) strength test device based on measurement of ultrasonic pulse propagation was used for non-destructive strength evaluation in different exposure situations for Scots pine sapwood. Two different test setups were used. In the first test MOEdyn was measured above fibre saturation. A range of different wood protection treatments were tested according to the terrestrial microcosms (TMC) test, a modified ENV 807. Three different soil types were used: forest soil dominated by white rot, Simlångsdalen test field soil dominated by brown rot and compost soil characterised by a mixture of bacteria and soft rot. Before strength testing the samples were water saturated and MOEdyn was measured above the fibre saturation point at time intervals (0, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 weeks) using ultrasound. Comparisons of strength loss were performed between treatments in the different soil types, and strength loss was also compared with mass loss. In the second test MOEdyn were measured below fibre saturation. Ultrasound measurements were performed on 0.5 m pine logs sampled from five trees from the same stand in central Southern Norway. Logs from two of the trees had varying amounts of discoloration due to an incipient attack by the white rot fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea during storage. Amount of visible discoloration had effect on MOEdyn values from measurements on log ends. Transversal measurement of MOEdyn was not successful. In a subsequent water uptake test, logs with discoloration absorbed substantially more water than the rest of the sample. The conclusion of this study was that the use of ultrasonic MOE is applicable as an evaluation tool in early decay detection.