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Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from contaminated manure slurry applied to soil surrounding tall fescue |
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| Authors: | ML Looper TS Edrington TR Callaway CF Rosenkrans Jr |
| Institution: | USDA-ARS, Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, Booneville, AR, USA; USDA-ARS, Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA |
| Abstract: | Aim: To investigate the potential transfer of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from contaminated manure slurry into the tissue of tall fescue plants. Methods and Results: Tall fescue plants ( n = 50) were fertilized with a manure slurry inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella . Soil was collected and tall fescue plants ( n = 10 per day) harvested on day 1, 2, 4, 8, and 14 after manure slurry fertilization. Soil samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on all days and on day 1, 2, 8, and 14 for Salmonella . None of the plant tissue samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on day 1 or 2; however, 20%, 30% and 40% of plant tissue samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on day 4, 8, and 14, respectively. Conclusions: It may be possible that E. coli O157:H7 can become transmitted and internalized into tall fescue plant tissue within 4 days after exposure to an E. coli O157:H7-contaminated manure slurry. Salmonella did not appear to be transferred to tall fescue plant tissue. Significance and Impact of the Study: Faeces contaminated with E. coli O157:11H7 may be one means by which grazing ruminants spread bacterial pathogens to additional animals. |
| Keywords: | agriculture ecology production soil waste water |