Evaluation of chlorine dioxide treatment for the eradication of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli on watermelon seeds

Acidovorax avenae subsp. Citrulli causes Bacterial fruit blotch(BFB). In watermelon crops, it is one of the most severe diseases, which can result from seed contamination. Gaseous chlorine dioxide(ClO2) is a powerful decontamination agent with strong oxidation and permeability. In this study, we evaluated the effect of gaseous and aqueous ClO2, as well as sequential ClO2 and dry-heat treatments, on A. avenae-inoculated watermelon seeds germination rate. We found that both the ClO2 and dry-heat treatments reduced A. avenae contamination, while failing to inhibit seed germination. The sequential gaseous ClO2 and dry-heat treatments also significantly reduced A. avenae contamination; however, these treatments reduced seed germination rate, as well.