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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293011
Title: Developing hygiene protocols against mechanically transmitted pathogens in greenhouse tomato production systems

Author
item BAYSAL-GUREL, FULYA - The Ohio State University
item Li, Rugang
item Ling, Kai-Shu
item KUROWSKI, CHET - Monsanto Corporation
item MILLER, SALLY - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2013
Publication Date: 6/24/2013
Citation: Baysal-Gurel, F., Li, R., Ling, K., Kurowski, C., Miller, S.A. 2013. Developing hygiene protocols against mechanically transmitted pathogens in greenhouse tomato production systems. The 4th International Symposium on Tomato Diseases and 28th U.S. Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. p 29.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Greenhouse tomato propagation and production require intensive crop work that promotes the spread of mechanically transmitted pathogens (e.g. fungi, bacteria, viruses and viroids). Therefore, a clean seed program is very important to prevent any un-intentional introduction of seed-borne pathogens to a greenhouse. If an initial infection is established, these pathogens can spread quickly to other plants through numerous hands-on activities in crop handling, grafting, de-leafing, or fruit harvesting. To curb further spread of these devastating diseases, a number of common disinfectants are being used by tomato growers to disinfect cutting tools or in foot baths. However, the efficacy of these disinfectants against pathogens of tomato and other greenhouse-produced vegetables is not well documented. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of available disinfectants against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) and Botrytis cinerea, the most problematic mechanically transmitted bacterial and fungal pathogens, respectively, in greenhouse-produced tomato. We determined the contact time required to kill Cmm and B. cinerea by commercial disinfectants in different chemical classes. Replicated in vitro experiments were conducted in which pure cultures of Cmm and B. cinerea were exposed to disinfectants for 1, 30 and 60 seconds, then 100 µL aliquots were withdrawn, plated on appropriate media, and incubated at room temperature for 4-7 days. KleenGrow, Green-Shield, BioSide, Des-O-Germ, Menno Florades, Menno-Terforte and dilute Clorox killed Cmm and B. cinerea cultures at all exposure times. Additional trials are underway to determine effectiveness of these disinfectants in preventing plant-to-plant spread of Cmm and B. cinerea via cutting tools.