A discussion of microstructural changes in wood during decomposition by white rot basidiomycetes

The classical concepts of wood decay are reviewed. All white rot fungi do not cause the same type of cell wall decomposition. At least two micromorphologically distinct types of cell wall attack have been found. Many factors can affect the type of macroscopic and microscopic decay patterns caused by white rot basidiomycetes. Host cell type and nutrients, as well as genetic and physiologic differences among these fungi, may influence the resulting decay.