Evaluation of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> C186 as a potential biological control of sapstain and mould on unseasoned lumber

Abstract

Bacillus subtilis C186 was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for sapstain and mould growth on unseasoned lumber. The strain produces antibiotics that are fungistatic to many pine-inhabiting fungi. Although pine blocks precolonized with C186 and subsequently inoculated with staining fungi were generally less discoloured than blocks inoculated only with fungi, discolouration was not sufficiently prevented to warrant further consideration of this strain as a biological control agent. The disappointing performance of C186 is traced to its poor colonization of wood.