SOFT ROT AND MULTIPLE T-BRANCHING BY THE BASIDIOMYCETE OUDEMANSIELLA-MUCIDA

A characteristic type of hyphal multiple branching (T-branching) and cavity formation by the basidiomycete fungus Oudemansiella mucida in the secondary walls of pine wood is described. Hyphal branching and cavity formation is reminiscent of that caused by soft-rot fungi (ascomycetes and fungi imperfecti), but differs in that penetration hyphae tend to branch repeatedly in the wood cell wall and that hyphal alignment with the cellulose microfibrillar axis of fibres is not consistent. Repeated hyphal branching within wood cell walls may aid in a more effective distribution of wood-degrading enzymes, and therefore in the degradation of lignified substrates by this ligninolytic fungus.