Biological control of Fomes annosus by Peniophora gigantea

Fomes annosus is the most important root pathogen in British forestry. In pine crops, F. annosus is often checked when stumps are naturally colonised by Peniophora gigantea. Experimental inoculation of stumps with P. gigantea reduced infection by F. annosus in first rotation crops and was as effective as chemical stump treatments. In severely diseased pine crops, P. gigantea inoculation reduced but did not eliminate F. annosus. P. gigantea is produced commercially and is used in many pine forests in Britain.