IngentaConnect Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the rhizosphere of maize ...

Abstract:

Aims:

To assess whether the persistence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in soil amended with cattle slurry and ovine stomach content waste is affected by the presence of a maize rhizosphere. Methods and Results:

Cattle slurry and ovine stomach content waste were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7. Wastes were then applied to soil cores with and without established maize plants. The pathogen survived in soil for over 5 weeks, although at significantly greater numbers in soil receiving stomach content waste in comparison to cattle slurry. Persistence of the pathogen in soil was unaffected by the presence of a rhizosphere. Conclusions:

Other factors may be more influential in regulating E. coli O157:H7 persistence in waste-amended soil than the presence or absence of a rhizosphere; however, waste type did have significant affect on the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in such soil. Significance and Impact of the Study:

Escherichia coli O157:H7 can be present within animal-derived organic wastes that are routinely spread on land. Introduced measures with regards to such waste disposal may decrease exposure to the organism; however, the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 for considerable periods in waste-amended soil may still pose some risk for both human and animal infection. This study has shown that whilst survival of E. coli O157:H7 in waste-amended soil is not significantly affected by the presence or absence of a maize rhizosphere; it may vary significantly with waste type. This may have implications for land and waste management.

Keywords: cattle; Escherichia coli O157:H7; maize; manure; ovine; rhizosphere; stomach contents; survival

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03104.x

Affiliations: 1: School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK 2: School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedford, UK 3: Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

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Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the rhizosphere of maize grown in waste-amended soil