The southeastern forest industry of the US plays a major role in the wood dynamics of the country, contributing over 50% of the wood demand. Nonetheless, the sustainability of the wood resource base is of concern to stakeholders within the forestry sector due to the incidence of pest and diseases. Southern pine decline (SPD) is one of the complex disease syndromes which slowly and progressively weakens the trees ability to grow. Unfortunately, Pinus taeda (loblolly pine), the predominant and economically important tree crop in the southeast US suffer from SPD. Bark beetles and their associated ophiostomatoid fungi contribute to SPD after predisposition by abiotic factors. The relationship between bark beetles and their associated ophiostomatoid fungi are mediated by fungal volatile organic compounds (FVOCs). The FVOCs have been hypothesized as potential biocontrol agents. The study seeks to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds associated with ophiostomatoid fungi. Volatiles are sampled from previously isolated strains of Leptographium terebrantis, L. procerum, Grosmannia huntii and G. alacris at the laboratory. The study will potentially identify volatile chemical compounds to be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies to minimize economic losses from SPD.
