Sanitation: Disease Control from Start to Finish

Authors: Copes, Warren; BIKA, RIVA - Tennessee State University; Shishkoff, Nina; FULYA, BAYSAL-GUREL - Tennessee State University

Submitted to: Diseases of Woody Ornamentals in Nurseries
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/22/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sanitation of plant nurseries can be a highly effective method of plant disease control but it involves many different methods that are not always fully understood by growers. This chapter provides valuable information on how producers and workers should think about sanitation for woody plant nurseries. A comprehensive up-to-date summary of sanitation methods is provided with clear descriptions that will be easy for growers to follow. The simple direct descriptions will allow producers to adapt methods to fit their situation and successfully achieve the high levels of disease control. Research-based conclusions are included to guide growers in taking the steps necessary to organize their nursery for improvements in sanitation. It further describes additional steps growers can take to make sanitation a major component of how they guard their crops' health and avoid the expense of higher disease losses.

Technical Abstract: This chapter provides a comprehensive up-to-date summary of how to implement sanitation practices in woody ornamental nurseries. Nursery sanitation is an assortment of practices to reduce and potentially eliminate plant pathogens at identified point sources within production facilities. Sanitation involves discarding diseased plant tissue; disinfesting supplies, equipment and production areas; and various other ways to control the spread of plant pathogens. The chapter describes when and how to implement sanitation by covering basic methodology of a multitude of individual practices. Research-based conclusions are included to guide growers in taking steps to organize their nursery for improvements in sanitation. Cleaning and sanitizing practices are described for tools and equipment; container pad and greenhouse production areas; and media, container and plant storage areas. Ways to control disease movement are described for numerous production activities, including how facilities are laid out, grounds maintenance, human activity at multiple production stages, discarding of diseased plant material and handling of incoming and shipped plant material. The chapter concludes with steps for developing an individualized cost-effective systems approach, so sanitation can be selectively implemented to coordinate labor efforts and maximize plant health throughout the production year.