Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Background. Prunus serotina is an invasive plant species in Polish forests. Most of the studies published so far focused on the control of American bird cherry using mechanical methods, which in most cases are time- and labor-intensive. There are very few attempts to limit the occurrence of American bird cherry with biological methods using native fungal species.

Aim of the study. The objective of the study was to determine the possibility of decomposition of Prunus serotina wood by selected species of forest fungi.

Material and methods. The fungal species Chondrostereum purpureum, Laetiporus sulphureus, Armillaria ostaoyae, Agrocybe aegerita, and Grifola frondosa were selected to study the decomposition of Prunus serotina wood. The wood decomposition test was conducted in accordance with the standards PN-EN 350-1 [2000] and EN -113 [1996]. Dried wood samples measuring 5.0 × 2.5 × 1.5 cm were weighed on a laboratory balance accurate to 0.01 g. The mycelium of selected fungi was inoculated into sterile Collego containing 2% maltose medium. In this way, 14 vials of a particular fungal species were prepared. After 7 days, 5 wood samples were placed on the grown mycelium. After three months of incubation the samples were again freed from the outer aerial mycelium, dried again, and weighed on a laboratory balance accurate to 0.01 g. The collected material was subjected to statistical analysis.

Results and conclusions. In the case of the Gf isolate, sample weight decreased by an average of 10%. A high value of the coefficient of variation (93%) shows a great differentiation of the trait and proves heterogeneity of the studied population. The distribution was characterized by moderate right-sided asymmetry. In the case of the Ls isolate sample weight decreased by 12% on average. The studied statistical population also showed a strong differentiation (46%). The distribution was characterized by moderate left asymmetry. In the case of the Cp isolate sample weight decreased on average by 9%. The studied statistical group showed moderate differentiation (33 %). The distribution was characterized by moderate left asymmetry. In the case of the Ae isolate sample weight decreased by 9% on average. The studied statistical group showed a strong differentiation (50%). The distribution was symmetrical. In the case of the Ao isolate the weight of the samples decreased on average by 7%. The studied statistical group showed strong differentiation (71%). The distribution was symmetrical. Experience has shown that the fungal species used are capable of decomposing the wood of American bird cherry. The least weight loss was the result of using an Armillaria isolate, while the greatest was recorded for the isolate of Laetiporus sulphureus. The populations were highly diversified with respect to the trait studied. Wood samples decomposed by the Chondrostereum purpureum isolate showed the least differentiation. The results obtained in the presented study indicate L. sulphureus as the fungus which decomposes bird cherry wood the fastest. However, its pathogenicity towards other tree species prevents its use as a biopreparation in nature. All the tested species of fungi, except for C. purpureum, decomposed the wood very unevenly, so the use of these fungi in preparations for the decomposition of bird cherry wood is problematic.