Evaluation of Antifungal Efficacy of Lantana camara, Hyptis suaveolens, and Trichoderma viride against Fungal Biodegradation of Timber

Wood-rotting fungi (WRF) are significant agents of wood degradation. While chemical preservatives have been traditionally effective, this study investigates eco-friendly alternatives using antagonistic fungi and plant extracts as biological control agents (BCAs). The biodegradation potential of seven white-rot fungi— Trametes hirsuta, Schizophyllum commune, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Lenzites betulinus, Ganoderma applanatum, Oligoporus placentus , and Fomes meliae —were assessed on five wood types: Artocarpus heterophyllus, Pterocarpus marsupium, Tectona grandis, Dalbergia latifolia , and Santalum album . The effectiveness of BCAs was evaluated through a wood preservation technique conducted on selected woods mentioned above. The antagonistic effect of Trichoderma viride and Plant extract (Ethanolic & Methanolic) of Lantana Camera and Hyptis suaveolens (0.5–2.5%) were investigated against the T. hirsuta, S. commune, P. sanguineus, L. betulinus, G. applanatum, O. placentus and F. melia species of WRF. Degradation rates of A. heterophyllus, P. marsupium , and T. grandis reached 53.3%, 49.8%, and 47.2%, respectively. Methanolic extracts of Lantana camara and Hyptis suaveolens at 2.5% concentration demonstrated more antifungal efficacy, inhibiting fungal growth by 95–100%. The antagonistic fungus Trichoderma viride demonstrated 89% inhibition of pathogenic WRF. Wood preservation technique revealed 2.5% methanolic extracts of H. suaveolens able to control the WRF when compare to L. camara methonolic extract. This study highlights the potential of plant-derived extracts and antagonistic fungi as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical preservatives, addressing both fungal degradation and environmental concerns.