Field Evaluation of Carrot Seed Treated With Germicidal Light to Reduce Populations of Seed-Borne Xanthomonas hortorum pv.carotae

Objectives for 2010 and Accomplishments:

Conduct a field trial to evaluate the use of UV seed disinfestation on carrot growth and disease levels

Seed-borne pathogen levels were reduced in one carrot seed line when treated with UV light. That same line had the largest reduction in pathogen levels in healthy leaf tissue but the difference was not strongly significant (P = 0.068). Disease levels were reduced in one seed line but overall Xanthomonas populations and disease in the field were inconsistent.