Fig. 5

Scanning electron micrographs of transverse sections of melina (Gmelina arborea) wood uninoculated and inoculated with three different species of Xylaria. A Uninoculated melina wood showing all cell walls and components intact, B to D (Xylaria curta (B), Xylaria 2 (C) and Xylaria 1 (D). Type 1 and Type 2 soft rot were evident. Type 2 soft rot can be seen in B with the cell walls almost completely eroded from the lumen towards the middle lamella. Some cells also have Type 1 soft rot with cavities evident in some cell walls. Soft rot cavities were also present in wood decayed by Xylaria 2 (C) and Xylaria 1 (D). Bar 100 µm (A) and 25 µm in B–D