Efficacy of sterilants to kill Erwinia amylovora

• DOI: 10.1007/s42161-023-01584-x
• Publication Date: 2024-02-08T12:02:17Z
• Authors: Mary B. Horner; Jayne Newland; Tyler McCourt
• Keywords: Sodium hypochlorite; Fire blight

Abstract Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, can be spread through orchards and nurseries because of poor sanitation practices such as contaminated secateurs. This research investigated the efficacy 12 commercial sterilants at varying concentrations to kill E. amylovora on Secateurs were dipped into an inoculum solution (10 6 colony forming units/mL), then misted with a test sterilant. After 10 s, secateurs swabbed plated onto Kings B agar plate, incubated 26 °C for 48 h bacterial colonies counted. Sterilants also assessed cotton bleaching metal corrosion. Best performing tested described above cutting infected plant material containing sticky ooze inoculum. Each (methylated spirits (95% 70%), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (1%, 0.5%, 0.135%), Bac-Stop/benzalkonium chloride (2%, 1%), Virkon™ (label rate), Dettol (50%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%), HarvestCide® gel (0.1%, 1%)) found effective inoculum-coated The best spirits, Dettol, HarvestCide gel, NaOCl) in killing when compared untreated control. Most sterilants, except methylated or corrosion cotton. ooze. Many likely damage tools over time cause clothing. However, did not bleaching.