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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293012
Title: Evaluation of disinfectants to control mechanical transmission of tomato viruses and viroids in greenhouse tomatoes

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

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2013
Publication Date: 6/24/2013
Citation: Li, R., Baysal-Gurel, F., Kurowski, C., Miller, S.A., Ling, K. 2013. Evaluation of disinfectants to control mechanical transmission of tomato viruses and viroids in greenhouse tomatoes. The 4th International Symposium on Tomato Diseases and 28th U.S. Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. p 30.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Greenhouse tomato production has increased significantly in recent years. The cultural practices and intensive hands-on activities implemented in protected tomato culture have created ideal conditions for a number of plant pathogens to be mechanically transmitted. In some situations, disease outbreaks have occurred resulting in serious epidemics as well as growers taking on huge financial losses. Planting tomato seed that has been properly tested for the key seed-borne/seed transmitted pathogens is a very important prevention measure. However, mechanical transmission of pathogens during crop production is a critical point in disease management. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of disinfectants to prevent viral disease spread, using Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as targets. Evaluation was conducted through mechanical inoculation on tomato seedlings using sixteen chemicals/commercial disinfectants. An experiment was conducted using treated inocula at 0 sec (immediately after treatment), 30 sec and 1 min exposure times to different disinfectants. Infection rate was determined 3-6 weeks post inoculation through symptom observation and appropriate lab tests. Experiments were repeated 3-4 times for each pathogen. Preliminary results showed that Virkon S, Clorox regular bleach, non-fat dry milk, Lysol cleaner, Octave, and Trisodium Phosphate largely reduced the infection of PepMV on inoculated plants, while Virkon S, Clorox regular bleach, non-fat dry milk, StorOx, Lysol cleaner, Octave, and Menno-Terforte reduced the infection of PSTVd. Additional trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of disinfectants in preventing virus spread via cutting tools.