In vitro interactions between Rigidoporus lignosus, the case of white root disease of rubber and some potentially antagonistic fungi

Abstract

The modes of aaction of fungi potentially antagonistic against R. lignosus were assessed in vitro by studying their ability (a)to cause pre- or post-contact damage to R. lignosus hyphae in video taped interactions on thin purified water agar films and, (b) to displace the established pathogen from woody inocula. The most fungi were Trichoderma spp. which produced volatile or non-volatile inhibitors. Basidiomycetes such as Trametes sp. caused hyphal interface similar to that of Phlebiopsis gigantea, a commercial biocontrol agent of Heterobasidion annosum in pine stumps. species of Trametes and Aspergillus partially or completely displaced R. lignosus from previousley colonized woody inocula.