Biological control of sapstain fungi: From laboratory experiments to field trials 10th EWLP, Stockholm, Sweden, August 25–28, 2008

Abstract

Abstract Sapstain fungi, which reduce the value of pine wood, were isolated from an industrial wood yard in north-eastern Germany. The predominant wood discolouring species on the industrial wood yard and in the forests of the investigated region was Sphaeropsis sapinea (syn. Diplodia pinea), but Ophiostoma minus was also found. These fungi were challenged with antagonistic micro-organisms in laboratory trials and in field experiments. Amongst the tested microorganisms only strains of filamentous fungi (Trichoderma sp. and Phlebiopsis gigantea) could control the sapstain fungi on pine wood blocks efficiently. Although P. gigantea was unable to inhibit stain formation completely, the wood was bleached by this fungus in later incubation stages. In two field trials, sapstain on pine wood logs was successfully retarded for a period of 10 and 12 weeks, respectively, with a white sporulating mutant of Trichoderma harzianum. Thus, the concept using filamentous fungi as antagonists against sapstain developed under laboratory conditions also proved to be valid under natural conditions in forest eco-systems.