FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A MOLECULAR METHOD USING FUNGAL DNA FOR EARLY DETECTION OF WOOD DECAY FUNGI IN UTILITY POLES

Alba ZAREMSKI
Researcher, PhD - UR 39 " genetique forestiere ", CIRAD BIOS TA A-39/C
Address: Campus International de Baillarguet, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Tel: +33 4 67 59 39 61. Fax: +33 4 67 59 37 32.
E-mail: alba.zaremski@cirad.fr

Louis GASTONGUAYI
Researcher - Institut de Recherche d'Hydro-Quebec, Sciences des materiaux
Address: 1800 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec, Canada, J3X 1S1

Denise LESSARD-DEZIEL
Researcher - Institut de Recherche d'Hydro-Quebec, Sciences des materiaux
Adresa/Address: 1800 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec, Canada, J3X 1S1

Michel ROBITAILLE
Researcher - Institut de Recherche d'Hydro-Quebec, Sciences des materiaux
Address: 1800 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec, Canada, J3X 1S1

Clemence CHAINTREUIL
Researcher - Laboratoire des Symbioses Tropicales et Mediterraneennes, UMR 113
Address: CIRAD/INRA/IRD/Agro-M/UM2) TA 10/J, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

Yves PRIN
Researcher - Laboratoire des Symbioses Tropicales et Mediterraneennes, UMR 113
Address: CIRAD/INRA/IRD/Agro-M/UM2) TA 10/J, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

Jean-Marc BOUVET
Heat of Researcher Unit, PhD - UR 39 " genetique forestiere ", CIRAD BIOS TA A-39/C Address: Campus International de Baillarguet, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

Abstract: There is currently no rapid and reliable test for detecting fungi in wood. Given the extent of the problems caused to the wood industries by these microorganisms, there is a need to find a test that is rapid, easy to use, specific, with an effective low detection limit and potential for automation.
A technique developed in our laboratories combines all the necessary qualities: 1) it enables specific amplification of a fungal genomic DNA sequence by PCR; 2) it combines the sensitivity and reliability of PCR with the use of international nucleotide sequence databases.
This molecular fungus detection method is routinely used in CIRAD laboratories to identify white and brown rot fungi in construction and housing timbers.
We applied and adapted the molecular fungus detection method already used in our laboratories on a sample of woods taken from poles in different age groups in the Hydro Quebec distribution network in Canada.

Key words: wood poles, decay, molecular method, fungal DNA.