BIOCONTROL IN FORESTRY

Biocontrol in forestry is used to limit damages by diseases in both forests and forest nurseries. The department mainly conducts research in relation to the use of the fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea acting as a biocontrol agent against Heterobasidion root rot in forests and counter measures against grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) in forest nurseries. 

Spruce stump treated with Rotstop®, which contain spores from the fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea (photo by Jonàs Oliva).

The fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea is a natural competitor to the root rot fungi Heterobasidion spp. and is used in the biofungicide Rotstop® for stump treatment. Rotstop® contains spores of P. gigantea and is applied on the stump surface to prevent infection by root rot fungi. We have investigated the interaction between P. gigantea and H. annosum s.l. as well as the interaction between the P. gigantea strain used in Rotstop and the resident population of  the species.

Grey mould, Botrytis cinerea, infecting the top shoot of a Scots pine seedling (photo by Elna Stenström).

In forest nurseries, fungal diseases are usually a frequent problem and fungicides are used to a large extent to prevent infections. In Sweden, grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) is the most common pathogen in forest nurseries and it can cause damage during the whole growing period as well as during transport and storage. Many nurseries have an interest in limiting the amount of fungicides used and biological control organisms may be used as an alternative. Using microcosm bioassays and field trials we have screened and evaluated different potential biocontrol agents against grey mould in Scots pine. We are currently studying the effect of biocontrol agents during storage.

People involved:

Jan Stenlid (Professor)
Rimvydas Vasaitis (Researcher)
Elna Stenström (Researcher)
Pia Barklund (Researcher)

Our projects

Biological control of grey mould in Swedish nurseries
Contact: Elna Stenström