Correlation between degradation of Beech wood and penetration of Pilodyn 6J needle

Ocenjevanje razkrojenosti lesa zaradi delovanja gliv bele trohnobe je pomembno za pravilno ukrepanje pri sanaciji lesenih izdelkov, še posebno nosilnih lesenih konstrukcij. Pilodyn je splošno uporabno orodje za vrednotenje gostote lesa številnih komercialnih lesnih vrst, zato nas je zanimalo, ali je primeren tudi za oceno razkrojenosti lesa. Meritve z napravo Pilodyn so bile opravljene na bukovini, ki je bila za različna časovna obdobja izpostavljena glivam bele trohnobe (Trametes versicolor, Hypoxylon fragiforme in Pleurotus ostreatus) v skladu s standardom SIST EN 113. Rezultati kažejo, da med izgubo mase zaradi delovanja gliv razkrojevalk in globino prodora igle Pilodyn obstaja povezava.Assessment of white rot decay is one of the most important issues for appropriate treatment of infested wooden commodities, particularly damaged constructions. Pilodyn is a well-established tool for assessing density of several commercially important plantation species, therefore we were interested in its suitability to evaluate the rate of decay as well. The Pilodyn measurements performed on common beech wood (Fagus sylvatica), exposedto three white rot fungi (Trametes versicolor, Hypoxylon fragiforme andPleurotus ostreatus) according to the modified EN 113 procedure, indicate correlations between Pilodyn needle penetration and mass loss

Effect of fungal and plant secondary metabolites on polimerase chain reaction (PCR)

Sekundarni metaboliti so organske spojine, ki jih najdemo pri glivah in rastlinah, kjer imajo vlogo obrambnih in signalnih molekul ali zagotavljajo druge selekcijske prednosti, niso pa neposredno vpleteni v rast, razvoj in razmnoževanje organizma. Pri delu s tehnikami DNA so pogosto ravno sekundarni metaboliti tisti, ki posredno ali neposredno vplivajo na uspešnost verižne reakcije s polimerazo (PCR) ali reverezno transkriptazo, in sicer tako, da otežujejo celično lizo, povzročajo razpad nukleinskih kislin ali neposredno ovirajo delovanje encima polimeraze pri pomnoževanju tarčne DNK. Glavna ovira pri aplikaciji tehnike PCR v rutinski diagnostiki je priprava visoko kvalitetne DNA brez inhibitorjev. Še posebej to velja pri izolaciji DNA iz lesnatih rastlin (Minafra in sod., 1992) in vzorcev tal (Tsai in Olson, 1991). Večina standardnih postopkov izolacije nukleinskih kislin ne odstrani rastlinskih polisaharidov in polifenolnih komponent, ki imajo lahko neposreden vpliv na pomnoževanje s PCR (Demeke in Adams, 1992). Poskusi za premostitev tovrstnih ovir vključujejo bolj dovršene metode za izolacijo nukleinskih kislin in PCR, ki vključujejo uporabo pospeševalcev PCR za odstranitev ali zmanjšanje vpliva inhibitorjev PCR. Ta pregled je osredotočen na pristope za odstranitev ali zmanjšanje vplivov rastlinskih in glivnih sekundarnih metabolitov iz vzorcev tal, različnih rastlinskih tkiv in razkrojenega lesa zaradi pomena tovrstnih raziskav za gozdarstvo in lesarstvo.Secondary metabolites are organic compounds that can be found in both fungi and plants, where they play an important role as defensive and signal molecules, or provide other kinds of advantage in natural selection, but are not directly involved in normal growth, development and reproduction of an organism. When working with DNA techniques, it is the secondary metabolites that most often affect the efficiency of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), either by hindering cell lysis, causing decomposition of nucleic acids or by direct inhibition of DNA-polymerase or reverse transcriptase amplification. The main limiting factor in the application of the PCR technique in routine diagnosis is the preparation of good quality nucleic acids isolates, free of PCR inhibitors. This is especially true in the case of woody plants (Minafra et al., 1992) and soil samples (Tsai and Olson, 1991). Most standard nucleic acids extraction procedures do not always remove contaminating plant polysaccharides or polyphenolic compounds, which can have direct inhibitory effects on subsequent PCR amplification (Demeke and Adams, 1992). Attempts to overcome these limitations included the development of more elaborate nucleic acids extraction methods and PCR, which employ PCR enhancers to eliminate or attenuate the effects of inhibitors. This review is concentrated on removal or attenuation of effects of plant and fungal secondary metabolites from soil, different plant tissues and decayed wood samples due to the significance of this type of research in forestry and wood science

Upijanje vode toplinski modificirane norveške smreke

Thermal modification of wood has been commercially available for almost twenty years but the complete mechanism of improved durability is still not completely understood. It is known that the temperature and duration of the modification influences the properties of the final products. There are several potential reasons for the increased durability of the modified wood. In recent research in particular, water exclusion efficiency has been identified as one of the key mechanisms. In order to elucidate this presumption, specimens made of Norway spruce heartwood were thermally modified at 6 different temperatures (160 °C, 180 °C, 190 °C, 200 °C, 210 °C and 230 °C) for three hours according to the Silvapro® procedure. Control specimens were left unmodified. Three sets of tests were performed: (a) samples were soaked in water for 4 days and then positioned on load cells and allowed to dry until a constant mass was achieved; (b) short term water uptake was determined with a tensiometer and (c) wood-water interactions were verified using constant gravimetric moisture measurement during outdoor exposure. As expected, the degree of modification was reflected in the moisture content of the wood during testing. Short and medium term water uptakes correlated quite well with the performance of wood in outdoor applications. On the other hand, long term tensiometer measurements were not in line with either short term water uptake or outdoor measurements.Toplinski modificirano drvo dostupno je na tržištu već gotovo dvadeset godina međutim, potpuni mehanizam poboljšane trajnosti drva još uvijek nije sasvim razjašnjen. Poznato je da temperatura i trajanje modifikacije utječu na svojstva konačnog proizvoda. Nekoliko je razloga za povećanje trajnosti toplinski modificiranog drva. U recentnim istraživanjima učinkovito je odstranjenje vode identificirano kao jedan od ključnih mehanizama za poboljšanje trajnosti drva. Kako bi se razjasnila ta pretpostavka, uzorci drva srži norveške smreke toplinski su modificirani pri šest različitih temperatura (160, 180, 190, 200, 210 i 230 °C) tijekom tri sata prema postupku Silvapro®. Kontrolni su uzorci ostali nemodificirani. Provedena su tri ciklusa ispitivanja: a) uzorci su namakani u vodi tijekom četiri dana, zatim su postavljeni na senzor težine da se osuše do konstantne mase; b) kratkoročno upijanje vode određeno je tenziometrom i c) interakcije drva i vode provjeravane su stalnim gravimetrijskim mjerenjem sadržaja vode pri izlaganju uvjetima na otvorenome. Kao što se očekivalo, stupanj modifikacije ogleda se u sadržaju vode u drvu tijekom ispitivanja. Kratkoročno i srednjoročno upijanje vode dobro korelira s ponašanjem drva u vanjskim uvjetima. Nasuprot tome, dugoročna mjerenja tenziometrom nisu bila u skladu s kratkoročnim vezanjem vode ili s mjerenjem pri izlaganju uvjetima na otvorenome

Selected properties of one hundred year old beech wood

Changes of wood due to ageing are elucidated in this respective article. Beach wood degraded by white rot fungi and furniture beetle was examined. The results of the mechanical tests showed considerable decrease that did not influence on the short term water uptake. Natural durability of old beech wood even decreased what lead us to conclusion that special consideration should be given to the use condition

Optimalna priprema površine drva za istraživanje anatomije invazivnih vrsta drva pretražnim elektronskim mikroskopom

Research was done to develop the optimal method of wood surface preparation for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Since 2018, environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM™) FEI Quanta 250 has been installed at the Department of Wood Science and Technology in Ljubljana. We tested several methods for the pre-preparation and cutting of wood surfaces for SEM analyses. The samples had been either dried, soaked in water and frozen, impregnated with paraffin or simply moistened before cutting. We analysed wood surfaces obtained by splitting, sawing, planing, sanding and cutting on a sliding microtome with different blades. The effect of gold coating on the SEM image quality was also evaluated. Best results were obtained by cutting a pre-moistened surface on a sliding microtome with a low profile replaceable blade and gold coated afterwards. Determined methodology is technically less demanding, not time consuming and obtains results that satisfy needs for wood anatomy research at magnifications up to 12.000x. Guidelines for the optimal preparation of samples were prepared, and theoretical and practical basis for investigations of wood anatomy using SEM were provided. The method was afterwards used in analyses of invasive alien plant species – investigating their anatomical structure in the framework of the AlienPLAntSpEcies - APPLAUSE project (Urban Innovative Actions initiative). It was demonstrated that the use of the SEM opened new scope in detailed investigations of the wood structure and properties.Istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se razvila optimalna metoda pripreme drvne površine za pretražnu elektronsku mikroskopiju (SEM). Od 2018. na Odsjeku za znanost i tehnologiju o drvu u Ljubljani instaliran je uređaj za pretražnu elektronsku mikroskopiju u uvjetima okoliša (ESEMTM) FEI Quanta 250. Proučavali smo nekoliko metoda za pripremu i rezanje površine drva za SEM analizu. Uzorci su sušeni, potapani u vodi i smrzavani te prije rezanja impregnirani parafi nom ili samo navlaženi. Analizirali smo površine drva dobivene cijepanjem, piljenjem, blanjanjem, brušenjem i rezanjem na mikrotomu različitim oštricama. Također je proučavan utjecaj zlatnog premaza na kvalitetu SEM fotografi ja. Najbolji rezultati dobiveni su rezanjem prethodno navlažene površine na mikrotomu, i to zamjenjivim noževima niskog profi la, nakon čega je površina drva pozlaćena. Primijenjena je metodologija tehnički manje zahtjevna, ne oduzima mnogo vremena, a dobiveni rezultati zadovoljavaju potrebe istraživanja anatomije drva pri povećanju i do 12 000 puta. Sastavljene su smjernice za optimalnu pripremu uzoraka te je postavljena teorijska i praktična osnova za istraživanje anatomije drva primjenom SEM-a. Metoda je potom primijenjena za istraživanje invazivnih biljnih vrsta – za ispitivanje njihove anatomske strukture u sklopu projekta AlienPLAntSpEcies – APPLAUSE (Urban Innovative Actions). Potvrđeno je da je upotreba SEM-a otvorila novo područje u detaljnim istraživanjima strukture i svojstava drva

Service Life of Beech Wood in Outdoor Applications

Beech wood is amongst the most important wood species in Slovenia. The EU standard EN 350-2 classifies beech wood into the group of the least durable wood species. This is one of the most important reasons which limit the use of beech wood in outdoor applications. The majority of the data about beech wood durability is a result of laboratory tests as there were limited numbers of field tests performed. As the service life of wood significantly depends on the local climate conditions, this data cannot be simply copied from other countries. Therefore, field tests have been running at the field test site of the Department of Wood Science and Technology for several years now to determine comprehensive performance of most important Slovenian wood species including beech wood. Majority of the tests are performed in use class 3 applications (above ground, not covered). The first signs of decay on beech wood are visible after few months of exposure. Afterwards the decay proceeds and the samples are degraded between 4 and 6 years of exposure. The most important reasons for insufficient outdoor performance of beech wood are lack of biologically active extractives and low water exclusion efficacy. In order to elucidate this phenomenon moisture content was continuously monitored for 15 months. We believe that the field tests performed will lead us to the data which will enable better understanding of the phenomena of durability and improve durability of beech wood with state of the art modification solutions

Kvaliteta drva impregniranoga bakrom u slovenskim trgovinama građevnog materijala

Ten different samples from Slovenian hardware stores were analysed. Samples were treated with copper based wood preservatives that were designed and advertised to be used in heavy duty applications in ground (use classes 4) and above ground (use classes 3.2). Retention and fungicidal properties were determined in order to establish the quality of treatment quality. Retention was determined by XRF analysis, while a modifi ed EN 113 procedure was applied for the assessment of fungicidal properties. Two brown rot fungal species, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Fibroporia vaillantii, were used for durability testing. The results of the analysis clearly showed that only three of the inspected wood products met penetration requirements, and none of them had sufficient retention, which is also reflected in insufficient durability against wood decay fungi.Za potrebe ovog rada analizirano je deset različitih uzoraka iz slovenskih prodavaonica građevnog materijala. Uzorci su tretirani zaštitnim sredstvima na bazi bakra namijenjenim i preporučenim za zahtjevne uvjete primjene u tlu (uporabna klasa 4) i iznad tla (uporabna klasa 3.2). Određeni su retencija i fungicidna svojstva tih sredstava kako bi se utvrdila kakvoća zaštite drva. Retencija zaštitnog sredstva određena je uz pomoć XRF analize, dok je modificirani postupak EN 113 primijenjen za procjenu fungicidnih svojstava zaštitnih sredstava. Za testiranje trajnosti poslužile su dvije vrste gljivica smeđe truleži, Gloeophyllum trabeum i Fibroporia vaillantii. Rezultati analize jasno su pokazali da su samo na tri istraživana drvna proizvoda bili ispunjeni zahtjevi penetracije zaštitnog sredstva, a ni na jednome drvnom uzorku nije postignuta dovoljna retencija zaštitnog sredstva, što se očituje i nedostatnom trajnošću drva izloženoga djelovanju gljiva truležnica

Service life of beech wood in outdoor applications

Bukovina sodi med najpomembnejše lesne vrste v Sloveniji. Standard SIST EN 350-2 uvršča bukovino med lesne vrste z najslabšo odpornostjo proti lesnim glivam. To je eden izmed najpomembnejših razlogov, ki preprečuje uporabo bukovine na prostem. Večina podatkov o odpornosti bukovine temelji na laboratorijskih testiranjih, realnih terenskih testov pa je relativno malo. Življenjska doba bukovine je v veliki meri odvisna od lokalnih podnebnih razmer, zato je nujno določiti življenjsko dobo posameznih lesnih vrst na prostem v osrednji Sloveniji. Na Oddelku za lesarstvo zato že več let potekajo testi, s katerimi določamo odpornost bukovine v tretjem razredu uporabe (na prostem, ni v stiku z zemljo). Prvi znaki glivnega razkroja se pojavijo že po nekaj mesecih izpostavitve, kasneje se razkroj nadaljuje, vzorci pa povsem propadejo po 4 do 6 letih izpostavitve. Glavni razlog za dovzetnost bukovine za glivni razkroj je povezan z odsotnostjo biološko aktivnih snovi (ekstraktivov) in dejstvom, da se bukovina relativno hitro navlaži. Z namenom proučiti dinamiko vlaženja bukovine smo petnajst mesecev stalno spremljali vlažnost lesa v različnih razmerah uporabe. Pričakujemo, da bomo skozi daljše obdobje spremljanja relevantnih lastnosti bukovine, preostalih lesnih vrst in modificiranega lesa pridobili podatke, ki bodo omogočili širšo rabo bukovega lesa na prostem.Beech wood is amongst the most important wood species in Slovenia. The EU standard EN 350-2 classifies beech wood into the group of the least durable wood species. This is one of the most important reasons which limit the use of beech wood in outdoor applications. The majority of the data about beech wood durability is a result of laboratory tests as there were limited numbers of field tests performed. As the service life of wood significantly depends on the local climate conditions, this data cannot be simply copied from other countries. Therefore, field tests have been running at the field test site of the Department of Wood Science and Technology for several years now to determine comprehensive performance of most important Slovenian wood species including beech wood. Majority of the tests are performed in use class 3 applications (above ground, not covered). The first signs of decay on beech wood are visible after few months of exposure. Afterwards the decay proceeds and the samples are degraded between 4 and 6 years of exposure. The most important reasons for insufficient outdoor performance of beech wood are lack of biologically active extractives and low water exclusion efficacy. In order to elucidate this phenomenon moisture content was continuously monitored for 15 months. We believe that the field tests performed will lead us to the data which will enable better understanding of the phenomena of durability and improve durability of beech wood with state of the art modification solutions

Risk assessment of mould growth on spruce wood during transport in an intermodal container

Microclimatic conditions (relative humidity and temperature) were monitored in a shipment of Norway spruce (Picea abies) wood inside an intermodal container on its 66-day transport from Slovenia to Japan. In parallel, the susceptibility of Norway spruce wood to moulding fungi was determined and a dynamic vapour sorption analysis was performed. Considerable moulding developed on specimens that were exposed to a climate with relative humidity above 93%. The results of the laboratory assessment correlated with the observations of mould development in the container. The relative humidity in the container was below 93%, so there was no mould growth on the transported Norway spruce wood

Model za določanje življenjske dobe lesa listavcev

The majority of Slovenian wood species do not have durable wood. Due to increased environmental awareness, users are avoiding treated wood and wood from tropical forests. In order to increase the consumption of domestic wood species, we have to understand the overall performance of wood better. Therefore, a study of the most important Slovenian hardwood species was performed, as prescribed by Meyer-Veltrup et al. Durability against wood decay fungi and wetting was determined using standard laboratory tests. These data were then used for calculation of the respective factors needed for calculation of predicted service life