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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #100595
Title: BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF POTATO SPROUTING BY DRY ROT ANTAGONISTIC BACTERIA

Author
item Slininger, Patricia - Pat
item Schisler, David
item BURKHEAD, KAREN - 3620-65-00
item Bothast, Rodney

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Chemical sprout inhibitors are applied to over 50% of the potato harvest to extend storage time. In the U.S., CIPC (1-methylethyl-3-chlorophenylcarbamate) is the only synthetic chemical registered for postharvest sprout control of stored potatoes, and it is the most widely used sprout inhibitor world-wide. Due to environmental and health safety concerns, the use of CIPC is becoming more restricted, and alternative sprout control methods are sought. Six bacteria strains, exhibiting superior dry rot suppressiveness in previous research, were grown on two different liquid culture media and sprayed to Russet Burbank potatoes. In growth chamber and pilot experiments repeated at two storage sites in two successive years, all six isolates demonstrated significant sprout control capabilities when applied after growth on at least one of the culture media supplied. Of the six strains tested, Pseudomonas fluorescens bv.V S11:P:12 and two strains of Enterobacter cloacae, S11:T:07 and S11:P:08, exhibited highest relative performance levels with sprout control being statistically similar to that of 16.6 ppm CIPC thermal fog after five months storage.