Study: ‘Perfect storm’ spreads salmonella in tomatoes
For the study, published in PLOS ONE, researchers wanted to find out which crop production factors are associated with tomato salmonella outbreaks. Specifically, they wanted to know how irrigation levels, waterlogged tomatoes and crop and pathogen genotypes affect salmonella’s ability to multiply in the fruit.
They grew three types of tomatoes—Bonny Best, Florida-47, and Solar Fire—during three production seasons over two years in Live Oak and Citra. Tomatoes had been harvested and injected with seven strains of salmonella.
Those three varieties were chosen because, in preliminary greenhouse experiments, they showed varying degrees of salmonella resistance, says Max Teplitski, associate professor of soil and water science. Bonny Best is an heirloom variety, often used as a control variety in plant pathogen experiments. Florida 47 and Solar Fire are newer varieties, widely grown commercially in the Southeast.
The findings show that particular cultivars combined with drier, sunnier conditions work together to increase the chances that salmonella will spread. Changing irrigation patterns caused little change in the potential for salmonella.
Tomato maturity and cultivar, particular strains of salmonella and seasonal differences were the strongest factors affecting proliferation. And ripe tomatoes were more vulnerable than green tomatoes.
Source: futurity.org
