Effect of Compression of Green Wood Chips on Conidial Germination and Colonization of A Biopulping Fungus, Phanerochaete Chrysosporium

Compression and baling of green wood ships inoculated with a biopulping fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has produced pulps with increased strength properties and reduced energy inputs without the need for steaming of chips or specialized bioreactor conditions. Use of a contact-agar method to study spore germination has shown that compression of green wood enhances rates of sapwood colonization by two strains of this white-rot fungus. This response was verified by SEM observation and is thought to occur as a result of parenchyma death during chip compression. The colonization of this fungus on softwood chips was also improved as a result of compression