Eradication of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis by incorporating fresh crop debris into soil: Preliminary evaluations under controlled conditions

A method for the eradication of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis was tested for its efficacy in three experiments carried out in the laboratory and greenhouse. In the first experiment, peat moss and sand mix in pots was amended with fresh tomato debris which was either artificially infected with the pathogen, or was not amended. Pots were enclosed in plastic bags or left open. Two temperatures (25 °C and 45 °C) were tested over a 6-week period. The pathogen was not detected in the amended soil after 4 weeks treatment at 45 °C, but was not eradicated after treatments in open pots at 25 °C.In the second experiment, the survival of C.m. michiganensis in either artificially infested soil or in artificially infected tomato plants was studied to determine the behaviour of the pathogen under these conditions. Strains of saprophytic bacteria in the genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Brevibacillus were identified under the experimental conditions. In vitro antagonism between Bacillus subtilis and C.m. michiganensis was observed. Finally, the recovery of C.m. michiganensis introduced into disinfected substrate was determined. Survival of C.m. michiganensis in plates artificially inoculated with substrate was greatly reduced after a 4-week treatment at 25 °C, or after 1 week at 45 °C.C.m. michiganensis remained pathogenic on plant tissue after 4 weeks of either thermal treatment.It is important to take these results into account with regard the effect of different soil disinfection techniques or ecological alternatives such as biofumigation, solarization, and the addition of organic matter, as well as for integrated pest management systems.