Evaluation of lignocellulolytic fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium as a potential agent for decomposition of Macaranga triloba logs in peat eco-system

M.S. Umi Kalsom, A.B. Ismail, A. Mohamad, M. Suhaimi,A.M. Sahilah and M. Abd. Zalal

Abstract

A field study was conducted at MARDI Peat Research Station, Sessang, Sarawak, to evaluate the potential of using lignocellulolytic fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, as a biological agent to enhance the decomposition of Macaranga triloba (Mahang) logs. The logs were treated as follows: 1) inoculated wood above ground (IWAG), 2) uninoculated wood above ground (UWAG), 3) inoculated wood below ground (IWBG), and 4) uninoculated wood below ground (UWBG). After 12 months, the total weight loss was 67, 62, 43 and 35% for IWAG, UWAG, IWBG and UWBG, respectively. The respective lignin loss was 9.6, 6.3, 3.0 and 2.1%; cellulose loss was 17.5, 15.7, 13.8 and 12.5%; and ash content was 3.0, 2.6, 2.2 and 1.7%. The relative decay rates after 3 months were higher (3.2, 3.0, 2.9 and 2.6 mg/g/d, respectively) as compared to that of after 12 months (1.8, 1.6, 1.2 and 1.1 mg/g/d, respectively). The C:N ratio after 12 months was reduced by 55, 51, 32 and 17%, respectively. The study indicated that under natural condition, the introduced fungus, P. chrysosporium slightly enhanced wood decomposition in peat eco-system.

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