Interaction between Epicoccum purpurascens and xylophagous basidiomycetes on wood blocks

Epicoccum purpurascens, a component of the bark micromycota, was evaluated as a potential biocontrol agent for three decay-causing hymenomycetes frequently found in Buenos Aires city trees, Ganoderma platense, Inonotus rickii and Rigidoporus ulmarius. Treatments consisted of dual cultures of E. purpurascens and xylophagous fungi on box elder (Acer negundo) wood blocks. Two inoculation sequences were tested: (i) the biocontrol agent as the first microorganism inoculated followed by the pathogen; and (ii) the xylophagous fungus as the first microorganism inoculated followed by the biocontrol agent. After 3 months of incubation, percentage dry weight loss was calculated. When E. purpurascens was allowed to colonize wood blocks before the introduction of the xylophagous fungus, dry weight loss was significantly reduced in all instances. However, as a secondary colonizer, E. purpurascens mildly reduced the weight loss caused by G. platense, had no effect on degradation by I. rickii and increased wood weight loss by R. ulmarius.