Abstract
In plate culture, Cryptosporiopsis sp. inhibited growth of 31 basidiomycetes isolated from decay in coniferous and deciduous trees; an ascomycete, the Dutch elm disease fungus; and a phycomycete, the potato late blight fungus. In liquid malt extract medium, Cryptosporiopsis sp. produced a substance highly inhibitory to Fomes fomentarius (L. ex Fr.) Kickx, the fungus most commonly associated with decay in living branches of yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britt. Growth of F. fomentarius was also inhibited markedly by the presence of Cryptosporiopsis sp. in sterile yellow birch wood. In unsterile, peeled logs of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., the amount of decay was significantly reduced in those treated with an application of a water suspension of mycelial fragments of Cryptosporiopsis sp. In unsterile, unpeeled logs there was also less decay in those treated with the mycelial suspension of Cryptosporiopsis sp.; however, the difference between the treated and untreated logs was not significant.