The role of siderophore production in the biological control of wood decay fungi by Trichoderma spp.

Abstract

In recent years biological control has received increasing attention as a means of protecting wooden structures against decay fungi. This has been due, in large part, to increased public awareness and concern over the environment impact of currently used chemical wood preservatives. Laboratory studies have indicated that Trichoderma isolates are able to antagonise wood decay fungi by a number of different mechanisms. These include passive antagonism through competition for available nutrients; active antagonism through the production of soluble metabolites and volatiles and mycoparasitism involving lytic enzymes. To date however, little has been reported regarding iron competition in wood as a possible antaponistic mechanism against wood decay fungi. Iron is in limited supply in wood, and recent papers have suggested that it may also play an important role in the biodeterioration process of timber. This paper examines the potential role of siderophores (iron chelators) in the biocontrol of wood decay fungi.

Citation

Srinivasan, U.; Highley, T.L.; Bruce, A. 1995. The role of siderophore production in the biological control of wood decay fungi by Trichoderma spp. In: Bousher, A., Chandra, M., and Edyvean, R., ed., 9th International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium. Rugby, UK: Institution of Chemical Engineers: 226-231.