Chemical Disinfection of Potato Cutting Machinery to Avoid Dissemination of Clavibacter sepedonicus

Abstract

A potential cause of the dissemination of the potato ring rot bacterium Clavibacter sepedonicus (Cs) is the use of automated seed potato cutters. The present study focuses on the question of whether disinfection practices are sufficient to prevent the transmission of Cs from contaminated machine parts to a new tuber lot. The disinfection efficacy was determined by establishing the culturability of Cs that remained after spray application of sodium-p-toluenesulfochloramide solution on clean and fouled specimens of machinery material that had been provided with an imprint of Cs biofilm. Although conventional spraying, with the authorized concentration of sodium-p-toluenesulfochloramide, of inoculated rubber, PVC and lacquered steel led to a substantial decrease of colony forming units, the treatment was insufficient for complete eradication of Cs. The presence of dirt negatively affected the efficacy of the disinfectant.

Bacterial ring rot of potato caused by Clavibacter sepedonicus: A successful example of defeating the enemy under international regulations

“…Sodium hypochlorite is an effective disinfectant for decreasing the pathogen's survival on wooden surfaces, while hydrogen peroxide is common for treating metal surfaces of agricultural machines and other equipment (Howard et al, 2015 ). Prior to disinfection, surfaces should be washed because dirt negatively affects the efficacy of the disinfectant (Stevens et al, 2021b ). To eradicate the pathogen on wooden potato storage crates, jet cleaning in a crate washer for 2 min using the authorized dose of sodium‐ p ‐toluenesulfochloramide has been shown to be an effective method for disinfection (Stevens et al, 2017 ).…”