Investigation on the potential of poplar bark from short-rotation coppices as bio-based fungicidal additives

Bark on trees protects the plant against environmentally adverse conditions as well as fungi and insect attacks. There are different chemical substances, mostly in the outer bark of trees, which can stop fungi from developing. Bark as a by-product of wood plantations is available in high quantity and can serve as an excellent source for the production of eco-fungicides. In the presented article, bark of various poplar clones from two short-rotation coppices (SRC) in Poland and Germany was examined to determine the chemical composition, the possible extraction of potential fungicides (terpenes, aromatic and phenolic substances), and influence of their extracts on slowing the growth of mold fungi. It was proved that the content of the fungicidal substances depends strongly on the clone type. Two methods of extraction—Soxhlet and batch—were compared to obtain fungicidal extracts. Fungicidal substances were found in extracts gained with both approaches. Triterpenes, fatty acids, aldehydes, and alcohols were primarily the active fungicides in the Soxhlet extracts, whereas phenolic substances act as fungicides in the batch extracts.