Usable seed treatments for tomato bacterial wilt disease agent (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) in organic production

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis causes bacterial wilt disease on tomato. The disease is one of the important problems in greenhouses and open fields all over the world. There is no effective control of bacterial wilt disease on tomato. In the study, effectiveness of different seed treatments in the elimination or decrease of seed-born inoculum was investigated for organic tomato production. Antagonistic bacterium, Serenade, ISR 2000, sodium hypochloride, vinegar from grape, vinegar from apple, hot water and lactic acid were tested as seed treatments. In addition, effects of the seed treatments on seed germination were evaluated.It was detected that bacterial populations on seeds and contaminated seeds were decreased as 77-100% and 31-100% ratios by the seed treatments, respectively. Sodium hypochloride, vinegar from grape, vinegar from apple, hot water and lactic acid were found effective seed treatments. But seed germination was reduced 12.5% ratio by hot water application. Reduced numbers infected seeds were also detected in lactic acid and sodium hypochloride treatments. Therefore, vinegar from grape and vinegar from apple can be recommended as the best seed treatments for organic tomato production based on effectiveness and seed germinations.