Abstract

A periodic survey was conducted in some of the wood based industries of Kerala to investigate the occurrence of sapstain and microorganisms associated with it. All the timber species surveyed were susceptible to staining by B. theobromae. The frequency of isolation of B. theobromae was highest in Hevea brasiliensis, Anacardium occidentale, Artocarpus spp. and Ailanthus triphysa. Laboratory studies with Bacillus subtilis, isolated from the surface of rubber wood reveal that this bacterium has potential as a biocontrol agent for sapstain fungus, B. theobromae