Articles
POTENTIAL USE OF CHLORINE DIOXIDE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF FUSARIUM BASAL ROT DURING THE HOT WATER TREATMENT OF DAFFODIL BULBS
Article number
570_34
Pages
267 – 273
Language
English
Abstract
Historically, formaldehyde has been used extensively by bulb growers to prevent the spread of basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. narcissi) during the hot water treatment (HWT) of daffodil bulbs.
A number of restrictions have been placed on the use of formaldehyde in the United States which have limited the number of growers that are able to use formaldehyde.
During the past five years, a research program to identify potential formaldehyde replacements has been proceeding at WSU-Puyallup.
One potential is chlorine dioxide, which has been used increasingly as a replacement for chlorine in the fruit and vegetable industries.
Research has shown that the activity of chlorine dioxide in the presence of high levels of organic matter, such as that found in dump tanks, is not diminished as rapidly as chlorine.
In addition, research has shown that chlorine dioxide has a higher biocidal activity on a ppm basis against several microorganisms in comparison with sodium hypochlorite, iodine, quaternary ammonium compounds, glutaraldehyde, and phenol.
Results from our HWT basal rot trials indicate that chlorine dioxide at 5 to 10 ppm effectively controls Fusarium inoculum levels during HWT of daffodil bulbs and thus protects bulbs from the spread of basal rot.
There was also no indication of any adverse effects on the growth of bulbs following treatment.
A number of restrictions have been placed on the use of formaldehyde in the United States which have limited the number of growers that are able to use formaldehyde.
During the past five years, a research program to identify potential formaldehyde replacements has been proceeding at WSU-Puyallup.
One potential is chlorine dioxide, which has been used increasingly as a replacement for chlorine in the fruit and vegetable industries.
Research has shown that the activity of chlorine dioxide in the presence of high levels of organic matter, such as that found in dump tanks, is not diminished as rapidly as chlorine.
In addition, research has shown that chlorine dioxide has a higher biocidal activity on a ppm basis against several microorganisms in comparison with sodium hypochlorite, iodine, quaternary ammonium compounds, glutaraldehyde, and phenol.
Results from our HWT basal rot trials indicate that chlorine dioxide at 5 to 10 ppm effectively controls Fusarium inoculum levels during HWT of daffodil bulbs and thus protects bulbs from the spread of basal rot.
There was also no indication of any adverse effects on the growth of bulbs following treatment.
Publication
Authors
G.A. Chastagner, K.L. Riley
Keywords
Fusarium basal rot, formaldehyde
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