Abstract
Wood uniformly colonized by a test fungus is required for many applications, including evaluation of biocides, examination of fungal effects on mechanical properties, and extraction of fungal enzymes. Uniform colonization is achieved most often by placing the wood above or on the surf ace of a fungal colony growing on agar. This study compares theagar method with the use of vermiculite in a plastic bag as a medium for fungal growth. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-ftr blocks, each inoculated with one of three fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Postia placenta, orTrametes versicolor), were prepared by each method. Fungal colonization varied widely in wood prepared by both methods, reflecting the natural variation in colonization by the fungi. The two methods were equally useful for preparing fungus-colonized wood, but the vermiculite method was simpler, took less time, and required less storage space than the agar method.