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Bioprotection of Spruce Logs Against Sapstain Using an Albino Strain of Ceratocystis resinifera

First and fifth authors: Centre de Recherche en Biologie Forestière, Université Laval, Cité Universitaire, Québec G1K 7P4, Canada; second and third authors: Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada; and fourth author: Forintek Canada Corp., Eastern Laboratory, 319 rue Franquet Québec, Québec G1P 4R4, Canada

We recovered a spontaneous albino strain from ascospores of Ceratocystis resinifera, a sapstain fungus that grows deeply and rapidly in freshly felled conifer trees. This albino strain, named Kasper, was tested for its ability to prevent discoloration of spruce sapwood caused by wild-type sapstain fungi and compared with Cartapip 97, a commercially available biological control agent of sapstain in lodgepole pine and red pine logs. In a laboratory trial, Kasper reduced sapstain of white spruce logs as much as 94.4% and was more efficient than Cartapip 97. In field trials conducted in an area north of Québec City, Kasper reduced sapstain of black spruce as much as 80%. In three of four field trials, Kasper was significantly more efficient than Cartapip 97 in reducing sapstain development. The exception was encountered in a 2003 trial conducted in a sawmill yard where Kasper did not reduce sapstain. In a field trial conducted in western Canada, at Aleza Lake forest near Prince George, Kasper almost totally prevented the development of sapstain, even after 24 weeks. These results suggest albino strains derived from C. resinifera might be an additional source of potential biocontrol agents against sapstain.