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A new explanation for soft rot cavity formation in the S2 layer of wood cell walls

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Summary

Cavity formation in the S2 layer of the secondary cell wall by soft rot fungi is initiated following the establishment of a T-branch by the extension growth of a proboscis hypha. This growth is inhibited after a time and lateral dissolution of the cell wall takes place to form a cavity and enlarge the hypha within it until cavity and hypha are large enough or mature enough to overcome the inhibition to extension growth and a new proboscis hypha is formed and the process repeated. The pointed ends and restrictions to the cavities are brought about by the inhibition of enzyme activity at the ends of the proboscis hypha and the possible deposition of inhibitory material along the pointed ends of the cavity formed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Microbiology, Science College, University of Kuwait, Kuwait

    A. S. Zainal

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  1. A. S. Zainal
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I wish to thank Dr. John F. Levy for his help and guidance throughout this work. I also acknowledge the encouragement and the enthusiasm of Professor R. D. Preston to publish this study. I am most grateful to the University of Kuwait in giving me leave of absence to carry out this work. My thanks are due to Alan Crossley for supplying me with the SEM micrograph of “proboscis hypha”.

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Zainal, A.S. A new explanation for soft rot cavity formation in the S2 layer of wood cell walls. Wood Sci. Technol. 12, 105–110 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350816

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