title: Effect of corn steep liquor on lettuce root rot (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae) in hydroponic cultures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent reports indicate that organic fertilisers have a suppressive effect on the pathogens of plants grown under hydroponic systems. Furthermore, microorganisms exhibiting antagonistic activity to diseases have been observed in organic hydroponic systems. This study evaluated the effect of corn steep liquor (CSL) on controlling lettuce root rot disease [Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae (FOL)] in a hydroponic system. The effect of CSL and Otsuka A (a chemical fertiliser) on the inhibition of FOL in terms of mycelial growth inhibition was tested in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Addition of CSL suppressed FOL infection rates. CSL inhibited FOL infection by 26.3-42.5% from 2 days after starting incubation. In comparison, Otsuka A inhibited FOL growth by 5.5-19.4%. In addition, four of 10 bacteria isolated from the nutrient media containing CSL exhibited inhibition zones preventing FOL mycelial growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that CSL suppressed FOL in lettuce via its antifungal and biostimulatory effects. We suggest that activation of beneficial microorganisms present in CSL may be used to decrease lettuce root rot disease and contribute to lettuce root growth.
authors.affiliation: Field Science Center, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami 4668-1, Ami, Inashiki, Ibaraki, 300-0331, Japan.
authors.forename: Yufita D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Chinta
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kano
authors.forename: Ani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Widiastuti
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukahori
authors.forename: Shizuka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Misu
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Odani
authors.forename: Songying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Narisawa
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003470:Culture Media; D005308:Fertilizers; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018527:Hydroponics; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D025282:Mycelium / Q000254:growth & development; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D003313:Zea mays
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D005308:Fertilizers; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae; corn steep liquor; disease suppression; organic hydroponics