Survival of Xanthomonas fragariae on common materials found in strawberry nurseries

Authors: WANG, HEHE - Clemson University; Turechek, William

Submitted to: International Congress of Plant Pathology Abstracts and Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/8/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Xanthomonas fragariae causes strawberry angular leaf spot, an important disease in strawberry nursery production. To identify potential inoculum sources, the ability of X. fragariae to survive at room temperature and under cold-storage conditions was examined on 10 common materials typically associated with strawberry nurseries (cardboard, glass, latex gloves, strawberry leaves, medal, plastic bags, rubber, T-shirt, Tyvek, and wood). Results showed that X. fragariae survival rates varied by both the material and storage temperature, and the longest survival was observed on cardboard stored at -4°C, the conditions which dormant plants are stored in strawberry nurseries. The information provided by this study may contribute to the development of improved sanitation and disease management strategies for strawberry nurseries.

Technical Abstract: Xanthomonas fragariae causes strawberry angular leaf spot, an important disease in strawberry nursery production. To identify potential inoculum sources, the ability of X. fragariae to survive was examined on 10 common materials typically associated with strawberry nurseries (cardboard, glass, latex gloves, strawberry leaves, medal, plastic bags, rubber, T-shirt, Tyvek, and wood). Each surface was artificially contaminated with the bacteria and stored at room temperature and -4°C, respectively. The bacteria were collected from each surface with PBS-soaked cotton balls at 10 time points from the day of contamination until 1 year after inoculation. During each sampling, the survival rates were examined by testing the bacteria isolated from the PBS-soaked cotton balls by PMA-qPCR, and by rub-inoculating strawberry leaves with the cotton balls. The experiment was repeated four times with a different X. fragariae isolate per experiment. Results showed that X. fragariae survival rates varied by both the material and storage temperature, and the longest survival was observed on cardboard stored at -4°C, the conditions which dormant plants are stored in strawberry nurseries. The information provided by this study may contribute to the development of improved sanitation and disease management strategies for strawberry nurseries.