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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #387445
Research Project: Management of Diseases, Pests, and Pollinators of Horticultural Crops

Location: Southern Horticultural Research Unit

Title: Disinfestants

Author
item Copes, Warren
item RIVA, BIKA - Tennessee State University
item Shishkoff, Nina
item 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: Disinfestants are commonly thought to kill all micro-organisms present. While all the disinfestants used in horticultural plant production have broad activity against fungi, bacteria and viruses, control efficacy has not consistently achieved control of plant pathogens. Product efficacy has varied due to application factors, pathogen sensitivity and reactions with materials being treated. Information is presented on the strengths and weakness of disinfestants, such as their compatibility to the material surfaces being treated, proven activity against specific pathogens and safety characteristics. The purpose of the information is to provide producers with the current knowledge to-date so they can select which products best serve their disinfesting needs in different applications.

Technical Abstract: This chapter provides a comprehensive up-to-date summary on commercially available disinfestants for the control of plant pathogens in woody ornamental nurseries. Information in this chapter is provided to help producers in horticultural settings select a suitable disinfesting product for different applications. Disinfestants may be selected for their compatibility to the material surfaces being treated, proven activity against specific pathogens and safety characteristics for the intended purpose. This selection requires knowledge of the disinfestant products, what pathogens are of concern and the intended site of application. Information is provided on the more prevalent disinfestant types, including hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, electro-activated chlorine water, quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate, alcohol, phenolic compounds, aldehyde compounds, organic acid, heat, ultraviolet light and nanotechnology. Detailed information is provided on the strengths and weaknesses of each type of disinfestant including newly developing research-based conclusions. The chapter provides a practical reference that producers of woody ornamental crops can use for selecting and applying disinfestants.