The Isolation of Specific Bio-Control Agents for the Dry Rot Fungus Serpula Lacrymans

Abstract

Summary New Trichoderma isolates were prepared from soils collected in the areas of the world where the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans is indigenous. Agar-screening tests were carried out to identify the antagonistic effects of isolates and determine if their mode of action was geared towards production of volatiles. Overall, Trichoderma isolates from Northern California, USA, were found to be extremely effective against S. lacrymans (Schumacher ex Fr. Gray.) and some produced a killing effect in the agar systems. In addition, these isolates inhibited S. lacrymans growth by volatile production even in the absence of direct contact between the Trichoderma isolate and S. lacrymans, whereas a standard laboratory culture of Trichoderma harzianum T25 was found to be much less effective. In two different soil and wood microcosms the USA isolates were also able to stop the growth of S. lacrymans and produced an apparent killing effect.

Indoor wood-decay basidiomycetes: damage, causal fungi, physiology, identification and characterization, prevention and control

“…Polyoxin acted as an inhibitor of the chitin synthase of several fungi (Johnson and Chen 1983). In particular, the Trichoderma species display a wide arsenal of antagonistic mechanisms that make these fungi attractive as biological control agents (Highley and Ricard 1988;Giron and Morrell 1989;Doi and Yamada 1991;Rattray et al 1996;Bruce 1998Bruce , 2000Phillips-Laing et al 2003). However, it is doubtful whether a sporulating mould such as Trichoderma should be used within buildings.…”

Natural bio-based products for wood coating and protection against degradation: A Review

“…Biological control is an innovative approach using biological decay antagonists, namely microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria, against wood-degrading biological agents, such as insects, molds, and fungi (Cook and Baker 1933;Yang 2009;Susi et al 2011). Integration of this method with the others already in use has represented the main goal for multiple directions involving theoretical and applied research (Score et al 1998;Brown and Bruce 1999;Phillips-Laing et al 2003;Singh and Chittenden 2008;Reinprecht 2010;Panek et al 2014;Stenbaek 2015). Use of such agents has been rather widely applied in agricultural practices, but it has been used only to a limited extent for the protection of timber (Bruce 1997).…”

Wood production, wood technology, and biotechnological impacts

“…Regardless of whether viable or non-viable, some Trichoderma isolates were shown to prevent Serpula colonisation in laboratory wood block tests, but they did not stop decay of already infected blocks (Score et al 1998). Strains were found to be also active in killing Serpula in the absence of direct contact, indicating that the mode of antagonism employs inhibitory volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Humphris et al 2002, Phillips-Laing et al 2003. Various volatiles are produced by Trichoderma species (e.g.…”

“…In other cases, research to obtain ecological and economical viable products is actively ongoing (e.g. Phillips-Laing et al 2003, Wright et al 2004) but often, suitable control systems have still to be found, developed and/or extensively tested.…”