dry rot

dry rot

dry rot fungus disease that attacks both softwood and hardwood timber. Destruction of the cellulose causes discoloration and eventual crumbling of the wood. This frequently results in the collapse of wooden structures such as house flooring, mine shafts, and ship hulls. Because the fungi require moisture for growth, dry rot occurs most often in places where the ventilation is poor or humidity is high or when the wood has been improperly seasoned. In the United States it is most frequently caused by a pore fungus ( Poria incrassata ) and by the dry-rot, or house, fungus ( Merulis lacrymans ). It may be prevented by application of creosote or other preservatives. Dry rot sometimes attacks standing conifers. The name is also used for other fungus diseases that attack the roots or stems of plants (see diseases of plants ).

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"dry rot." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"dry rot." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-dryrot.html

"dry rot." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-dryrot.html

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dry rot

dry rot
1. Any of several plant diseases which are characterized by the formation of dry, shrivelled lesions; they are usually due to fungal infection.

2. A serious type of timber decay in buildings, caused by the fungus Serpula lacrymans. Typically, infected timber develops longitudinal and cross-grain cracking and bears a surface growth of whitish mycelium; leathery fruit bodies bearing rust-coloured spores may appear.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "dry rot." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "dry rot." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-dryrot.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "dry rot." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-dryrot.html

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dry rot

dry rot
1. Any of several plant diseases which are characterized by the formation of dry, shrivelled lesions; they are due usually to fungal infection.

2. A serious type of timber decay in buildings, caused by the fungus Serpula lacrymans. Typically, infected timber develops longitudinal and cross-grain cracking and bears a surface growth of whitish mycelium; leathery fruit bodies bearing rust-coloured spores may appear.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "dry rot." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "dry rot." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-dryrot.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "dry rot." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-dryrot.html

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dry rot

dry rot • n. 1. fungal timber decay occurring in poorly ventilated conditions in buildings, resulting in cracking and powdering of the wood. 2. (also dry rot fungus) the fungus (Serpula lacrymans, family Corticiaceae) that causes this.

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"dry rot." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"dry rot." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dryrot.html

"dry rot." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dryrot.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Bacteria take on late blight, sprouting, and dry rot in potatoes.(Update)
Magazine article from: Resource: Engineering &amp; Technology for a Sustainable World; 11/1/2004
Bacteria take on late blight, sprouting, and dry rot in potatoes
Magazine article from: Resource: Engineering &amp; Technology for a Sustainable World; 11/1/2004
DRY ROT-WEILERS; Two wet noses on the trail of timber trouble.
Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 1/31/1997

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dry rot. (Image by shutterStock)