Rainstorm effects on the biocontrol efficacy of the decay fungus Chondrostereum purpureum against birch sprouting in boreal forests.

In forest regeneration areas, alongside roads and railways, under electric power lines and above gas pipe lines, there is a need for regular sprout control. A biocontrol method against broadleaved sprouting with formulations including the decay fungus Chondrostereum purpureum (Pers. Ex Fr.

Development of growth media for solid substrate propagation of ectomycorrhizal fungi for inoculation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings.

A silica-based propagation medium was developed for large-scale production of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal inoculum by solid state fermentation. Development of the medium was started by screening for an optimal growth medium among six different semisynthetic agar media traditionally used in cultivation of ECM fungi. The majority (65 %) of the twenty tested ECM fungal strains that typically colonize Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings grew best on modified Melin-Norkrans (MMN) medium with reduced sugar content (½MMN).

Bioreactor for solid-state cultivation of Phlebiopsis gigantea.

Phlebiopsis gigantea fungus used in biological control of root rot is currently cultivated commercially in disposable, sterilizable plastic bags. A novel packed bed bioreactor was designed for cultivating P. gigantea and compared to the plastic bag method and to a tray bioreactor.