Potential wood protection strategies using physiological requirements of wood degrading fungi

M. Sailer, B. van Etten
TNO Building and Construction Research, Delft, The Netherlands

Due to the increasing restrictions in the use of wood preserving biocides a number of potential biocide free wood preserving alternatives are currently assessed. Wood degrading fungi require certain conditions in the wood in order to be able to use wood as a food source. This paper discusses the physiological requirements of wood degrading fungi and potential wood protecting strategies based on the limitation of essential requirements of the fungi. Most of these methods are based on reduction of the water and nutrient availability, two factors which can by influenced by the application of some preservation techniques.

Key words: wood, wood degradation, non- biocidal wood preserving strategies