Degradation Efficacy of Pinus radiata Don Needle Leaf, Twig and Bark by Wood Degrading Fungi in Forest Ecosystem

The degradation of lignin, holocellulose and hot water soluble content of Pinus radiata needle leaf, twig and bark by wood degrading fungi was studied in virgin forest ecosystem of Doddabetta, Nilgiris for a period of 180 days. The study revealed that the maximum percentage of lignin degradation of needle leaf material with Heterobasidium annosum was 8.8, twig with the same fungus was 18.3, and the bark with 19.5. For holocellulose needle leaf degradation with a maximum of 10.3 for Thelopora terrestris fungus for twig with the same fungi shows 12.1 and for bark Polyporus squamosus with 16.9 of degradation. Hot water soluble content was maximum of 18.7% with Colricia perennis fungus for the needle leaf, for twig 10.5% for the same fungi and for bark with 9.0% for Polyporus squamosus for a period of 180 days. The elemental status of mixed samples of needle leaf, twig and bark constitute the forest litter of P. radiata were inoculated with H. annosum, T. terrestris, P. squamosus and C. perennis mycelia. The SEM–EDX analysis revealed the maximum availability of elements at 180 days of degradation when compared with initial stage.