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Biological pest control

Biocontrol Efficacy Against Heterobasidion Irregulare Infection Demonstrated

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in Forest Ecology and Management has demonstrated the efficacy of Phlebiopsis gigantea as a biocontrol agent against Heterobasidion irregulare, a root disease affecting coniferous forests in the Pacific western US. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of California Berkeley, evaluated the growth and sporulation performance of California P. gigantea isolates at various temperatures and in the presence of a common additive used to track treatments in the field. The trials identified several P. gigantea isolates with biocontrol potential and found no evidence that the additive impacts growth or sporulation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study tested the efficacy of Phlebiopsis gigantea against Heterobasidion irregulare, a root disease affecting coniferous forests in the Pacific western US.
  • The researchers evaluated the growth and sporulation performance of California P. gigantea isolates at various temperatures and in the presence of a common additive used to track treatments in the field.
  • The trials identified several P. gigantea isolates with biocontrol potential and found no evidence that the additive impacts growth or sporulation.
  • The study demonstrated that the best-performing P. gigantea isolates reduced H. irregulare establishment by 83.4%, compared to a reduction of 96.4% by the common US chemical treatment borate.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in Forest Ecology and Management.
  • The study's findings have implications for the development of biocontrol agents to manage Heterobasidion irregulare infections in coniferous forests.

Statistics:

  • 83.4% reduction in H. irregulare establishment by the best-performing P. gigantea isolate.
  • 96.4% reduction in colonization by the common US chemical treatment borate.
  • 20°C: temperature at which P. gigantea growth and conidial formation were evaluated.
  • 1-2: range of temperatures tested for P. gigantea growth and conidial formation.

Sources:

  • Forest Ecology and Management (2025;594)
  • Elsevier (www.elsevier.com)
  • University of California Berkeley (137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States)
  • Matheo Garbelotto (Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley)
  • Richard C. Cobb, Douglas J. Schmidt, Tina Popenuck, Edoardo Scali, and Adrian Poloni (co-authors)

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