酸化チタンおよび拮抗菌による養液栽培メロンのフザリウム発病抑制

抄録

Melon plants occasionally develop Fusarium disease (Fusarium wilt in melon). In the case of circulatory hydroponic culture, the pathogenic fungi stay in the solution for a prolonged period, increasing the incidence of disease. We examined the disinfecting effect of photocatalysis using Titanium (IV) Oxide, as an industrial disinfectant, in the culture solution. At the same time, the effect of an antagonistic bacteria as a biological disinfectant, was also examined. Titanium (IV) Oxide and antagonistic bacteria both effectively reduced the number of Fusarium fungi in the culture solution. In contrast, when neither Titanium (IV) Oxide nor antagonistic bacteria was added, Fusarium disease occurred. The growth rate of the melon plants was marginally reduced by the addition of antagonistic bacteria. However, the fruit weight showed an increase with the addition of either Titanium (IV) Oxide or antagonistic bacteria to the medium. The phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium content in the melon plants also tended to be higher in plant grown in the medium with Titanium (IV) Oxide or antagonistic bacteria added than in the control medium. Thus, Titanium (IV) Oxide appears to be an effective disinfectant for the culture solution after planting the seedlings. In contrast, antagonistic bacteria should be added at the time of seed inhibition to prevent the disease incidence during seedling culture.