Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) bark, a substrate with anti-pathogen properties that suppress some root diseases of tomato

There were no significant differences in the content of nutrient elements a nd the growth of tomato giants on rockwool and on hinoki bark fiber slabs. However, the incidences of fusarium crown and root rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici). and bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) were greatly reduced by hinoki bark. The populations of Fusarium or Pseudom onas were significantly lower in hinoki bark or in the vascular bundles of hinoki-bark-grown plants than in rockwool or in rockwool-grown plants, resp ectively. Ethanol extracts of the bark greatly inhibited Fusarium and Pseud omonas. The inhibition was caused mainly by volatile oils and non-volatile substances in the bark with both neutral substances and acidic substances h aving high activity against the pathogens, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B,V. A ll rights reserved.