Persistence of TwoCampylobacter jejuniStrains in Soil and on Spinach Plants

摘要

There are indications that the more frequent use of untreated organic residues for fertilization results in increased risk of contamination with human pathogens. Here, we evaluate the ability of two different strains ofCampylobacter jejunito persist in manure and soil as well as spread to spinach plants. It was revealed that different strategies for inoculation ofC. jejunicontribute to the persistence of the bacterium in soil, roots, and shoots. Upon inoculation of the bacteria into manure prior to soil application, the amount ofC. jejunisubsequently recovered in soil was higher than that from treatments involving the addition ofC. jejunicells to the soil after plant emergence. Irrespective of the bacterial inoculation dose and strategy employed, theC. jejunicontent in soil remained relatively constant, whereas the majority ofC. jejunicells applied to spinach leaves could be recovered during the whole evaluation period of 21 days.