WO2000067581A1

WO2000067581A1 - Biological control method against pathogenic heterobasidion annosum and the ballet transplant manufactured by the method

Info

Publication number: WO2000067581A1
Application number: PCT/FI2000/000391
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markku Halonen
Original assignee: Markku Halonen
Priority date: 1999-05-07
Filing date: 2000-05-04
Publication date: 2000-11-16
Also published as: FI991048A0; FI107224B; FI991048A; AU4407700A

Abstract

A focused control method against the rot causing fungi Heterobasidion annosum and Heterobasidion parviporum. As pathogenic fungi these cause root rot and butt resin in living trees (e.g. spruce, pine, birch) and shrubs. The method used to control rot, is to grow in the seedling root ball, in the nursery, Phlebiopsis gigantea, which is an antagonistic fungus against Heterobasidion annosum and Heterobasidion parviporum. Phlebiopsis gigantea forms also a mycorrhiza system with the roots of seedlings, trees and shrubs. Phlebiopsis gigantea spreads from the ball of the seedling to the area surrounding the seedlings roots and to the dying roots of adjacent stumps, branches and residues in the soils humus layer. In the beginning Phlebiopsis gigantea obtains the nutrients it needs from the root ball of the seedling. It forms a concentrated hyphae growth around the seedling immediately, thereby protecting the roots of the seedling, as well as spreading to other substrate in the immediate vicinity. Phlebiopsis gigantea infects the roots of stumps and occupies this wooden material as a substrate for further growth. At the same time the antagonistic Phlebiopsis gigantea eliminates Heterobasidion annosum and Heterobasidion parviporum from this wooden material and prevents their spread. This biological focused control method using the method manufactured root ball will help prevent the expensive damage caused by root rot and butt resin in living trees and shrubs.

Description

Biological control method against pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum and the ballet transplant manufactured by the method

Technical Field

The invention is focused on the enclosed claim number 1, in the part of the introduction, which presents a method for the control of pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum. The invention is also focused on claim number 6, in the part of the introduction, which presents the method of manufacturing the seedling root ball (product).

Background

Heterobasidion parviporum is a fungi which is one of the main causes of root and butt rot in Spruce Picea abies forests. Heterobasidion annosum causes root damage and butt resin in Pine Pinus sylvestris stands. It causes root and butt rot in both Spruce Picea abies and Birch Betula verrucosa stands, as well as in junipers Juniperus communis. These fungi can mean heavy economic losses for forest owners, particularly in the South of Finland. These fungi also affect other species of trees and shrubs in its distribution area of Europe, Asia and North of America.

The known biological control methods against this pathogenic fungi are for example presented in the following patent publications of The Board of Patent and Registration:

Publication 69390 A 01 N 63/00

A biological control method against pathogenic fungi based on the use of Trichoderma-fimgi, where the substrat is the composted material after biological decomposition.

Publication 65532 A 01 N 63/00

A biological control method based on the production and use of the origin of

ATCC 39271, ATCC 39272 and/or ATCC 39273 in substrat.

Publication 82878 A 01 N 63/00

A biological control method based on the use of Streptomyces griseoviridis-f ngi when cultivated e.g. in stores. Patent Publication FI 101631 B A 01 N 63/04

A biological control method based on the use of the origin of Gliocladium catenulatum-'axx when cultivated in plastic greenhouses and fields.

European Patent Office

European Patent Application 0 133878 A 01 N 63/04

A biological control method against the pathogenic fungi ofPythium, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotium and Fusarium based on the use of Trichoderma bαrzt wwm-fungus.

The publications noted above do not provide a solution for the control of pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum and Heterobasidion parviporum in forests and orchards ( In the following text Heterobasidion annosum refers to both Heterobasidion species). The known control methods against the spread of Heterobasidion annosum in forests today are based on the treatment of stumps with a biological Phlebiopsis gigantea spore suspension, or chemical urea (urea H₂NCONH₂), in connection with mechanical harvesting. With this treatment the spores of Heterobasidion annosum spread by the wind are prevented from fastening to and occupying the freshly cut surface of the stumps and spreading to the humus layer. Heterobasidion annosum and Phlebiopsis gigantea use the organic lignin and cellulose material as a substrat. The advantage of stump treatment is that the spread of the pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum can be prevented in forest areas where these fungi have not been present before. After stump treatment the pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum spores and hyphae are warded off the stump by Phlebiopsis gigantea, which gradually rots the stump over a period of 20 - 40 years, advancing at 30 - 50 cm per annum.

There is however a failing in the stump treatment method used in regeneration fellings, in that the new seedlings are planted so soon after felling. Heterobasidion annosum is common in the soils of South of Finland and after planting the seedlings have immediate contact with the hyphae of Heterobasidion annosum. Also, stump treatment is ineffective in roots far from the stump - Heterobasidion annosum existing in the humus layer will infect and occupy the roots of old trees or new seedlings in spite of the stump treatment. After planting the vitality of the seedlings will normally decrease as a result of the big change in their growing environment. This usually increases the susceptibility of the planted seedlings to infection by Heterobasidion annosum. Both seedlings of spruce and birch, and trees of all ages die as a result of root decay. decay. Young pine stands and mature pine forests die due to butt resin caused by the infection of Heterobasidion annosum.

Summary of invention

The objective of the invention is to provide a control method against damage in trees and shrubs caused by Heterobasidion annosum. The objective of the invention is also to provide a product which has good characteristics according to the method previously described. To realising the objectives there is the main characteristic in the invention method presented in patent claim number 1, and correspondingly there is the characteristic with the product of the invention presented in patent claim number 6.

The target of the invention is a focused control method against root decay and butt rot in trees and shrubs caused by Heterobasidion annosum. The method is that the Heterobasidion fungi are warded off by Phlebiopsis gigantea transfers from the seedling root ball to the roots of felled trees or other wooden material where it spreads and occupies the organic lignin and cellulose for its own use. Therefore Phlebiopsis gigantea occupies as early as possible the wooden root material (substrat) near the seedling before the attack of pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum can take place, while at the same time also preventing the spread of the pathogenic fungus in humus near the root of the seedling (Fig. 4A). This method of control prevents the growth of the Heterobasidion annosum hyphae and its spread in dead root stumps and other wooden material (substrat). The hyphae in humus is also eliminated. The focused control selects the seedling exactly on the growth point of its roots from the moment of planting. As Phlebiopsis gigantea spreads out through the roots, it protects the roots of seedling as it grows (Fig. 4A, 4B). The roots of these trees or shrubs will benefit from the effect of control against Heterobasidion annosum for tens of years into the future. This invention based on the biological control method using Phlebiopsis gigantea, supports the method of stump treatment in harvesting using the same Phlebiopsis gigantea. These two different methods can be used at the same time.

Phlebiopsis gigantea functions as a mycorrhiza with the roots of trees and shrubs. This also permits symbiotic nutrient supply. The seedling is planted so that the root ball of the seedling comes into contact with the humus layer in which the stumps roots are also located.

Penicillium spp. fungi can also be used in the control of Heterobasidion annosum aswell as other antagonistic fungi and bacteria.

The specific control method of this invention can prevent root and butt rot caused by Heterobasidion annosum in living trees and shrubs.

The second part of this biological control invention (presented above) is the previously mentioned manufactured root ball seedling (or other substrat). The antagonistic Phlebiopsis gigantea (or other species of fungi) is inserted into the root ball of the seedling of the trees and shrubs. Phlebiopsis gigantea can be introduced to the root ball of the seedling by using one of the following methods:

1.1 Phlebiopsis gigantea is added as spores or hyphae powder to the completed manufactured root ball of the seedling (Fig. 1 A).

1.2 The spores or hyphae powder of Phlebiopsis gigantea are added to the root ball of the seedling via irrigating water or nutrient solution (Fig. IB). 1.3 The spores or hyphae powder of Phlebiopsis gigantea are added to the root ball of the seedling during the process of manufacturing. (Fig. 1C).

1.4 The hyphae of Phlebiopsis gigantea is grown in a substrat which is then transferred to the ball of the seedling, or alternatively directly in the ball of the seedling or other growing medium (Fig. ID).

The fungus or fungi of Penicillium spp. can also be grown in the root ball of the seedling. The

Phlebiopsis gigantea spores or hyphae are added to the root ball at a rate of 5-10 000 units per root ball.

Phlebiopsis gigantea needs wooden material as a substrat e.g. lignin or cellulose. The required lignin and cellulose are provided in the seedling root ball by for example using peat with sawdust, wooden waste, paper waste and waste cellulose. During manufacture a suitable binding agent can be used (e.g. starch, waste cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, supporting paper) for supporting the root ball of the seedling or the other substrat.

Both the seedling and Phlebiopsis gigantea (or Penicillium spp.) get the required substrat and nutrients from the root ball of the seedling. The wooden based material amounts to 40 - 60 % (w) of the substrat.

Other suitable substrats can be used in place of the manufactured root ball.

Different species of antagonistic fungi can be added to the seedling root ball according to the fungi species you want to control, and the pathogenic fungi in the humus layer.

The options for cultivating Phlebiopsis gigantea in the root ball of the seedling:

2.1 The spores or the hyphae are grown in the root ball of the seedling normally after moving the seedlings from the nursery to the forest or garden (Fig. 2A). 2.2 The spores or the hyphae are grown in the root ball of the seedling while the seedling is in the nursery (Fig. 2B).

2.3 The root ball of the seedling is built from the hyphae of Phlebiopsis gigantea and its substrat. There is an abundance of hyphae in the root ball of the seedling. (Fig. 2C).

The root ball of the seedling is manufactured so that the cell contains the correct substrat and nutrients for both the seedling and the antagonistic fungi.

The seedlings are planted in the forest in a way that ensures the root ball makes contact with the humus layer of the soil. The most appropriate planting position according to the different ground preparation methods are as follows:

3.1 On unprepared ground the seedlings are planted so that the ball of the seedling is completely in the humus layer, but also has contact with mineral soil (Fig. 3 A).

3.2 On mounded ground the seedlings are planted on the mound so that the ball of the seedling reaches the humus layer. There can be mineral soil on the root ball (Fig. 3B).

3.3 On scarified ground the ball of the seedling is planted on the edge of the furrow, where there is a lot of humus material left and where the stump root layer is in the immediate vicinity of the seedling (Fig. 3C). The growing area around the seedling of the Phlebiopsis gigantea hyphae:

The seedlings are planted at a spacing of 2 metres on the regeneration area of the forest (Fig. 4B). The hyphae of Phlebiopsis gigantea grows outwards from the root ball of the seedling and meets the hyphae of the adjacent seedling within a distance of 1,0 - 1,5 m. Phlebiopsis gigantea grows this distance in 2 - 4 years. The control effect of Phlebiopsis gigantea begins immediately around the roots of the seedling after planting, and in the nursery already in the root ball.

This method is suitable for all tree and shrub planting spacings in forests and gardens.

According to this invention, the focused control method described against Heterobasidion annosum causing root rot and butt resin, using Phlebiopsis gigantea in combination with the manufactured root ball seedling, can provide benefits to forestry, gardening and nurseries.

The invention is presented with the following drawings:

Figures 1 A - ID The insertion of Phlebiopsis gigantea to the root ball of the seedling (or to an alternative seedling substrat).

Figures 2A - 2C The growing methods of Phlebiopsis gigantea in the root ball of the seedling.

Figures 3 A - 3C The planting of root ball seedlings containing Phlebiopsis gigantea in the forest according to the different ground preparation methods. Also the connection of the seedling with the humus layer.

Figure 4A The principle of the biological focused control method performed by Phlebiopsis gigantea against Heterobasidion annosum.

Figure 4B The growing area of the hyphae of Phlebiopsis gigantea around the seedlings in the forest.

Abbreviations used in the drawings: Ph.g Phlebiopsis gigantea, t seedling, k mineral soil, h humus, j Heterobasidion annosum, p root ball of the seedling (substrat).

Claims

1. The biological control method against the pathogenic rot causing fungi, with which the rot and other damage in living trees and shrubs in forests or nurseries are prevented, characteristic in that Phlebiopsis gigantea is added in the nursery to the root ball of the seedling from where it will spread and function as the antagonistic fungus in the humus layer. It is a focused control method for trees and shrubs against the pathogenic Heterobasidion parviporum and Heterobasidion annosum fungi and will help prevent damage caused by root rot and butt resin.

2. The method as claimed in 1, in which Phlebiopsis gigantea acts as the mycorrihza with the roots of the trees and shrubs.

3. The method as claimed in 1, in which after planting in the forest or garden Phlebiopsis gigantea spreads from the root ball of the seedling to the decaying roots of stumps containing cellulose and lignin, or to corresponding other wooden material in the area of the roots of living trees or shrubs.

4. The method as claimed in 1, in which the seedling is planted in the forest or garden so that the ball of the seedling makes contact with the humus layer of the soil. (The planting position according to different ground preparation methods are presented in figures 3 A - 3C).

5. The method as claimed in 1, in which species of Penicillium spp. can also be used as antagonistic fungi.

6. The root ball of the seedling, or the other substrat, manufactured according to this biological focused control method against Heterobasidion annosum and Heterobasidion parviporum, characteristic in that the antagonistic Phlebiopsis gigantea or the other antagonistic fungi against the pathogenic Heterobasidion annosum and Heterobasidion parviporum, is added to the root ball of the seedling. The antagonistic fungi can be used individually or together.

7. The root ball of the seedling as claimed in 6, in which Phlebiopsis gigantea (or Penicillium spp.) is inserted or grown in the root ball of the seedling or other substrat according to the following alternative methods:

a. Phlebiopsis gigantea is inserted to the manufactured seedling root ball as spores and/or hyphae powder (Fig. 1 A). b. The spores and/or hyphae powder of Phlebiopsis gigantea are inserted to the ball of the seedling in solution with irrigation water or nutrients (Fig. IB). c. The spores and/or hyphae powder of Phlebiopsis gigantea are inserted to root ball of the seedling during the process of manufacturing the root ball (Fig. 1C). d. The hyphae of Phlebiopsis gigantea are grown in the substrat, and the substrat with hyphe is transferred to the ball of the seedling, or the substrat is formed directly for the root ball of the seedling or other growing base (Fig. ID).

8. The root ball of the seedling as claimed in 6, in which the spores and or the hyphae of Phlebiopsis gigantea are added to the root ball of the seedling at 5 000 - 10 000 units per root ball.

9. The root ball of the seedling as claimed in 6, where the amount of wooden material (lignin and cellulose required by Phlebiopsis gigantea) added to the root ball of the seedling is 40 -

60 % (w) of the amount of the substrat. Suitable alternative organic materials are e.g: sawdust, waste wood, waste cellulose, waste paper.

10. The root ball of the seedling as claimed in 9, where the components of the root ball of the seedling are binded if nesessary with a suitable agent e.g. lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, starch, supporting paper.