Biological Sprout Control with Chondrostereum purpureum- Preliminary Results from Field Trials in Finland

Abstract

The aim of our ongoing project is to test the efficiency of the indigenous decay fungus, C. purpureum, as a biocontrol agent against stump sprouting in Finland. Chondrostereum purpureum was applied to freshly cut birch (Betula pendula, B. pubescens) stumps at 12 different time points during the growing season. The most effective treatment time seemed to be the early summer, at least on birch. Efficacy of C. purpureum on aspen (Populus tremula), grey alder (Alnus incana) and willows (Salix spp.) was also tested. Treatment was done in July. One year after the treatments C. purpureum seemed to have a slight reductive effect on sprouting on all these tested tree species. According to the preliminary results high enzymatic activity of the fungus and good growth ability on wood chips in laboratory did not necessarily guarantee the good ability to prevent sprouting in the field. However, there were differences in the ability of different isolates of C. purpureum to prevent sprouting and it is worth to try to find more aggressive isolates in the future for biocontrol purposes. Preliminary results showed that the use of C. purpureum is a promising method for biological sprout control in Finland.