Abstract

M. nagassarium wood from Kerala, India, was tested for its natural resistance to 7 spp. of decay fungi under accelerated lab. conditions. Polyporus palustris was most virulent, followed by, in order of decreasing virulence, P. [Pycnoporus] sanguineus, Lenzites trabea [Gloeophyllum trabeum], Polyporus [Coriolus] versicolor, P. [C. ] hirsutus and P. meliae. Irpex flavus was least virulent. C. versicolor caused the greatest wt. loss in the test blocks. M. nagassarium wood was classified as highly resistant, although there was considerable variation among the 5 trees tested