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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #129117
Title: POSTHARVEST BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF POTATO SPROUTING BY DRY ROT ANTAGONISTIC BACTERIA

Author
item Slininger, Patricia - Pat
item Schisler, David
item BURKHEAD, KAREN - 3620-65-00
item Bothast, Rodney

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2003
Publication Date: 6/5/2003
Citation: SLININGER, P.J., SCHISLER, D.A., BURKHEAD, K.D., BOTHAST, R.J. POSTHARVEST BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF POTATO SPROUTING BY DRY ROT ANTAGONISTIC BACTERIA. BIOCONTROL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. 2003. v. 13(5). p. 477-494.

Interpretive Summary: Chemical sprout inhibitors are applied to over 50% of the potato harvest to extend storage time. In the U.S., CIPC (1- methylethyl-3-chlorophenylcarbamate) is the only synthetic chemical registered for postharvest sprout control of stored potatoes, and it is the most widely used sprout inhibitor worldwide. Due to environmental and health safety concerns, the use of CIPC has become more restricted, and alternative sprout control methods are sought. We tested potato sprout inhibition by several of our patented beneficial soil bacteria which inhibit the development of dry rot disease of stored potatoes. In experiments repeated at two storage sites in two successive years, we found that all of the bacteria had potential for suppressing sprouting of stored potatoes and that three performed almost as well as the CIPC did during five months of storage. These findings are of interest to the potato industry because they suggest the high potential of these patented bacteria as an efficient, environmentally compatible means to biologically control both sprouting and fungal diseases with only one treatment applied to tubers entering storage.

Technical Abstract: Chemical sprout inhibitors are applied to over 50% of the potato harvest to extend storage time. In the U.S., CIPC (1- methylethyl-3-chlorophenylcarbamate) is the only synthetic chemical registered for postharvest sprout control of stored potatoes, and it is the most widely used sprout inhibitor worldwide. Due to environmental and health safety concerns, the use of CIPC has become more restricted, and alternative sprout control methods are sought. Six bacteria strains, exhibiting superior dry rot suppressiveness in previous research, were grown on two different liquid culture media and sprayed to Russet Burbank potatoes. In growth chamber and pilot experiments repeated at two storage sites in two successive years, all six isolates demonstrated significant sprout control capabilities when applied after growth on at least one of the culture media supplied. Of the six strains tested, Pseudomonas fluorescens bv.V S11:P:12 and two strains of Enterobacter cloacae, S11:T:07 and S11:P:08, exhibited highest relative performance levels with sprout control being statistically similar to that of 16.6 ppm CIPC thermal fog after five months' storage.