The reduction of three plant pathogens (Fusarium, Corynebacterium and Globodera) in anaerobic digesters

Abstract Suspension of the microbial plant pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Corynebacterium michiganese and the potato eelworm, Globodera pallida , were deliberately introduced into anaerobic digesters running on plant material (tomato). Their viable populations were then monitored for suitable periods of time. In all cases a marked reduction in viable populations of the pathogens was observed. This work suggests that anaerobic digestion may be a suitable system for the reduction of pathogenic organisms in agricultural plant waste material.