What type of wood decay is produced by soft rot fungi?

The correct choice regarding the type of wood decay produced by soft rot fungi is represented by Kretzschmaria dusta. This specific fungus is known to be a representative of soft rot fungi, which decay wood in a unique manner compared to brown and white rot fungi. Soft rot fungi primarily degrade the cellulose and hemicellulose components of the wood cell walls, leading to the breakdown of the wood's structural integrity, but they often leave behind the lignin, which distinguishes them from brown and white rot.

Soft rot tends to occur in conditions of higher moisture and lower temperatures, making it different from dry rot, which is a term often used to describe a specific kind of decay that is typically associated with brown rot. Understanding the characteristics of Kretzschmaria dusta and its relevance to soft rot helps highlight the unique decay process these fungi induce compared to other classifications of wood decay.