There are major incentives for limiting the degree of fungal discoloration which occurs during wood processing. Most lumber producers apply prophylactic fungicides which limit microbial growth, but increasing restrictions on the use of these chemicals have encouraged the search for alternative stain prevention strategies. Among the possible strategies for stain prevention is biological control. While biological control or protection has worked well in the laboratory, it often fails in the field probably because conditions are unsuitable for growth of the bioprotectant. These failures highlight the need for developing a better understanding of the nature of biological protection. In an effort to develop this information, the effects of Pseudomonas cepacia on the physiologic responses of a consortium of wood staining fungi was investigated on ponderosa pine sapwood wafers. The presence of Pseudomonas cepacia markedly reduced the degree of stain, total protein, protease levels, and the activity of various wood degrading enzymes. The results suggest that the bacterium has a major impact on growth and physiology of the various stain fungi. Further studies are planned to more fully understand the nature of the bacterial impacts on fungal attack.

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