Development of fungal infections of radiata pine logs by wood degrading fungi commences immediately after tree felling. In general, subsequent antisapstain treatments are unable to control fungal degrade on logs where the pre-treatment log storage time exceeds 2-5 days. However, use of an in-forest treatment of logs may be advantageous to log exporters to control fungal pre-infections during the pre-treatment log storage time, possibly for up to four weeks. In the current study, the outer surface of each freshly cut branch wood billets (200 mm long) was damaged to simulate conditions occurring in the field, by scraping off some bark and also bruising bark with a hammer. Damaged billets were individually sprayed with biocontrol agents (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Brie fungus), integrated biocontrol agents (T. viride plus fluoride, T. viride plus Sentry® , T. viride plus fluoride and Sentry® ) and dairy products (brie, camembert, egg white and milk). After two days incubation, a cocktail of common sapstain fungi was sprayed onto each billet before incubation for four weeks. After two and four weeks of incubation, billets were cut into discs and eleven newly exposed cross-cut faces were assessed for fungal degrade. The results of this laboratory study showed that Camembert blended in pasteurised milk virtually controlled fungal degrade in billets. This treatment likely meets the criterion of being environmental acceptable.

Download document (258 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document