Synergistic Ability of Chitosan and Trichoderma harzianum to Control the Growth and Discolouration of Common Sapstain Fungi of Pinus radiata

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

First at all, congratulations for the stupendous work that you have done about environmental-friendly agents such as chitosan. Especially this article, the previous work and the analyze of all that wood samples. Furthermore, the research work was very well designed and the manuscript is easily readable.

It is very remarkable the results offer an effective solution to use both natural products as wood protecting agents in a potential commercial applications.

I found just one mistake in the redaction: in line 322 said 'noculated' instead of 'inoculated'.

Finally, the only one recommendation is that, in my opinion, you could improve the article whether include some additional references about chitosan-based coatings of wood in the Discussion section. 

Author Response

Thank you very much for applauding the research.

As suggested we have added few references related to chitosan-based coating. 

Regards

Tripti

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript titled “ Synergistic ability of Chitosan and Trichoderma harzianum to control the growth and discolouration of common sapstain fungi of Pinus radiata “  by Tripti Singh and Colleen Chittenden, investigated the combined effect of chitosan and Trichoderma on the control of sapstain fungi in softwood pine. I find the idea interesting and in line with the aim of the journal. however, it needs some revisions. I also recommend to the authors to improve their references by conducting a more extensive review of international literature. Below are my point-to-point analysis of the manuscript.

Line 22……Please check the sentence “compensated for by”

Line 31……a variety of “microorganisms”

Line 79……Give comma after “In the present study”

Line 92……What is LMW?? Delete MW in Line 378.

Line 95-97…..Please revise “whereby T. harzianum could be combined with…..”

Line 98……Revise “The long-term goal”

In the main text, the term wood has been used. It can be replaced by softwood or sapwood (if it is applicable).

In many places, the authors have used capital “C” for Chitosan……also in title. Use lowercase as applied in the abstract. Maintain uniformity.

Line 114……Write the genus name “O. piceae” as introduced in the main text for the first time.

Detail the character of three sapstain fungi used in the study.

Rewrite treatment combination in a meaningful manner.

Line 133……Torr et al. 2005……Delete year and use number and bracket for citation.

Line 208, 237, 260, 296, 311, 320……Write the full (genus) scientific name and it should be in italics.

Line 211 & 225…… Figures1& 2….. Figure 1; Figure 2…..Correct these.

Line 377-379……Consider revising the line……chitosan is a polymer….oligomers are low molecular weight polymers….“Oligomers” written twice in this sentence.

Use recent literature in the discussion.

Line 428-435……What is the conclusive statement about the challenge fungi?

Author Response

Thanks, for your suggestions. It was very useful. We have gone through point by point as you can see in the attached document. 

Also, as suggested, we have conducted a much wider review of the international literature and now have added 7 references with recent literature.  

Regards

Tripti

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Author has revised the manuscript. I don't think the manuscript requires further revision. I suggest accepting the manuscript in the present form.