Biocontrol of wood-rotting fungi

20-25Fungal decay and deterioration of softwood and hardwood trees are the most common and damaging problems of forest and timber industries worldwide. A range of microbial as well as insect deteriogens can attack wood. Although some wood types contain chemical extractives that confer resistance against wood decay fungi, most are non-durable and subject to attack by a wide range of fungi, thereby necessitating a broad spectrum controlling action. The wood preserving industry uses chemical wood preservatives that pose adverse health and environmental effects. To avoid this, new biological and biochemical control systems are needed for the preservation of wood decay. This review summarizes the state of art in research and prospective use of wood and rhizosphere-inhabiting actinomycetes as biocontrol agents for brown- and white-rot fungi