Survival of Ralstonia solanacearum on wood, high density polyethylene and on jute fabric in cold storage.

Abstract

Containers used for transport and warehouse storage of potatoes may be contaminated by Ralstonia solanacearum Yabuucki et al. and become sources of inoculum and the means of spreading infection over short, medium and long distances. The materials of which the containers are made could be an important factor influencing the survival of contaminating bacteria. This paper describes the study of survival of R. solanacearum in cold storage at 4°C on poplar and oak wood, on high-density polyethylene and on jute sack fabric. Survival was quantitatively assessed on concentrates obtained by washing samples of contaminated materials and centrifuging the washing liquids. The plate count was performed on two semi-selective media, Kelman’s and SMSA. Contamination survived on oak for approximately 4 days and on poplar for 17 days. On high density polyethylene survival was zero after 2 days. On jute fabric, the number of surviving bacteria had dropped considerably after 24 hours, but subsequent decrease was moderate and the population was only zero after 78 days.