Run a clean ship

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Most growers have implemented some sort of disease control program to keep fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens at bay. They devote a lot of time, money and resources to keeping their plants disease-free. During the spring rush, it’s easy to get a little lax with cleanliness. But growers should stay vigilant, because one simple misstep could undo all that work.

When diseases occur, it’s often assumed that fungicides are the most important and effective management tool available. However, a good sanitation program can reduce the need for chemical controls and improve the effectiveness of other disease management practices.

Nicole Gauthier, a professor in The University of Kentucky’s Department of Plant Pathology and plant pathology extension specialist, has authored several fact sheets on disease management. Gauthier says a proper sanitation program can reduce pathogen numbers and eliminate infective propagules that cause disease, like fungal spores, bacterial cells or virus particles. Here are some sanitation practices that can form the foundation of a disease management program.

Sanitation best practices

• Remove diseased plant tissues from infected plants. Discard plants that are heavily infected.
• Disinfect tools. Cutting blades should be dipped in a commercial sanitizer, 10% Lysol disinfectant, 10% bleach or rubbing alcohol between each cut. If using bleach, rinse and oil tools after completing work to prevent corrosion.
• If infected plants are to be treated with fungicide, remove diseased plant tissue before treatment. This eliminates sources for spore production or propagule multiplication. Fungicide effectiveness may be reduced when disease pressure is heavy.
• Remove weeds and volunteer plants from your greenhouse or nursery to prevent establishment of a “green bridge” between plants. A green bridge allows pathogens to infect alternate hosts until a more suitable one becomes available.
• Do not reuse soil from container-grown plants. Pathogens can survive in growing media.

Sanitation FAQ

Something as simple as a dirty container can spread disease. The University of Minnesota Extension provides valuable information about how disinfecting tools and containers can reduce the occurrence of plant diseases at an operation.

Plant pathogens like bacteria, fungi and viruses cause diseases that can be transferred to and infect plants through bits of soil and plant debris. That’s why it’s so important to keep a clean growing environment.

Sometimes it’s easy to see what you need to clean. But pathogens are microscopic and, while your tools may look perfectly clean, these microorganisms may still be on your blade, shelf or container.

Prevent the spread of disease between plants by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your tools and equipment.