An evaluation of Chondrostereum purpureum for the control of aspen and Sitka alder

Project number: EP 1135.05

District: Selkirk Forest District

Objectives

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Chondrostereum purpureum (C.p.)as a cut stump treatment for controlling aspen and Sitka alder.

Treatments

Treatments consist of two formulations in combination with two C.p. isolates (one formulation and one isolate of Ontario and British Columbia origin) for a total of four treatment combinations plus a blank Ontario formulation (no isolate) and a blank B.C. formulation, a brushed only treatment, an untreated control and a triclopyr (Release) herbicide treatment. All treatment plots (except for the uncut control plots) were manually brushed prior to the application of C.p. treatments or herbicide.

Treatments

Treatment symbol	Treatment
BB	B.C. formulation x B.C. C.p. isolate
OB	Ontario formulation x B.C. C.p. isolate
BO	B.C. formulation x Ontario C.p. isolate
OO	Ontario formulation x Ontario C.p. isolate
O	Ontario blank formulation
B	B.C. blank formulation
R	Release herbicide (hand spray bottle)
C	Brushed only (cut stump)
U	Untreated control (not brushed)

Layout

At each trial site (aspen and Sitka alder), a randomized complete block design trial with five replications of nine treatments was established for a total of 45 plots. Blocking was based on time of application. Aspen is being tested at Wilgress Lake, and alder is being tested at Ripperto Creek.

History

	Wilgress Lake	Ripperto Creek
Site layout	May 30 + 31, 1995	June 1 + 2, 1995
Pre-treatment assessment	June 20 + 21, 27	June 21 + 22
Treatment application	June 28 + 29	July 5
Infection survey	October 24-26th, 1995	October 24-26, 1995
Cattle fence exclosures installed	March, 1996
1st year post treatment assessments	September, 1996	Assessments deferred to 1997
2nd year post treatment assessments	August, 1997	September, 1997
3rd year post treatment assessments	Fall, 1998	Fall, 1998
4th year post treatment assessments	Fall, 1999	No further work
5th year post treatment assessments	Fall, 2000

Publications

Harper, G., P. Comeau, R. Wall, W. Hintz, R. Prasad. 1996. An evaluation of Chondrostereum purpureum for the control of aspen and Sitka alder. E.P. 1135.05 Establishment and First Year Progress Report. B.C. Ministry of Forests.

Harper, G., P. Comeau, W. Hintz, R. Wall and R. Prasad. 1997. First season efficacy results for Chondrostereum purpureum applications on Sitka alder in B.C. In Proceedings: Expert Committee on Weeds: Proceedings of the 1996 National Meeting, December 9-12, 1996, Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, B.C. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

Pitt. D. 1996. National trials research protocol for the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum. Forest Pest Management Institute, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 5M7.

Harper, G.J., P.G. Comeau, W. E. Hintz, R. E. Wall, R. Prasad and E. M. Becker. 1998. Second-season efficacy results of Chondrostereum purpureum applications on Aspen and Sitka alder in British Columbia. In Wagner, R.G. and D.G. Thompson (comp.). 1998. Third International Conference on Forest Vegetation Management: Popular summaries. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Ont. For. Res. Inst., For. Res. Info. Pap. No. 141 pp 121.

Becker, E.M., L.A. Ball, M.T. Dumas, R.E. Wall, and W.E. Hintz. 1998. Genetic markers to monitor Chondrostereum purpureum infection following biocontrol application. In Wagner, R.G. and D.G. Thompson (comp.). 1998. Third International Conference on Forest Vegetation Management: Popular summaries. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Ont. For. res. Inst., For. Res. Info. Pap. No. 141 pp 42.

Harper, G., P. Comeau, W. Hintz, R. Wall and R. Prasad. 1997. First season efficacy results for Chondrostereum purpureum applications on Sitka alder in B.C. In Proceedings: Expert Committee on Weeds: Proceedings of the 1996 National Meeting, December 9-12, 1996, Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, B.C. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

Harper G.J., P.G. Comeau, W. Hintz, R. Prasad and E.M. Becker. 1999. Chondrostereum purpureum as a biological control agent in forest vegetation management. II. Efficacy on Sitka alder and aspen in western Canada. Can. J. For. Res. 29:852-858.

Conlin, T., J.G. Harper and P.G. Comeau. 2000. Evaluation of the effectiveness of Chondrostereum purpureum for the control of mechanically brushed trembling aspen suckers in a two-year old conifer plantation: 3rd year results. B.C. Min. For. Research Program Extension Note 49.

Comments

Chondrostereum purpureum appears very effective on alder when applied to cut surfaces. The effect on aspen is unclear so far.

B.C. Hydro is also conducting extensive testing with this product.