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

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.

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Soils from Jiangsu Province, China

“…Soil organic carbon also helps to improve soil structure by forming multi-pored aggregates which serves as microbial habitats [49]. Therefore, the abundance of organic carbon in soil can provide more nutrients, water, air and biological niches for E. coli O157:H7 and decrease the competition with indigenous microorganisms, slowing the decline of E. coli O157:H7 [3], [15].…”

“…For example, Escherichia coli O157:H7 ( E . coli O157:H7), which can cause severe hemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemia in humans, can persist in soil for days to more than 1 year following manure application to land [3]. It was reported that 20 people were infected with E .…”

Enteropathogen survival in soil from different land-uses is predominantly regulated by microbial community composition

“…It has been shown that intensity of land-use (Jangid et al, 2008), length of time under a particular management (Buckley and Schmidt, 2001), substrate addition (Degens et al, 2000) and the presence of a plant rhizosphere (Garbeva et al, 2004) can contribute to defining microbial community structure. Some work has been carried out to demonstrate the effects of land-use and management on pathogen suppression (van Elsas et al, 2002;Williams et al, 2007;Franz et al, 2008;Yao et al, 2013).…”

Influence of Tillage and Daily Manure Application on the Survival of Bacterial Pathogens Indicators in Soil and on Radish

“…were found in higher numbers in barley (Hordeum vulgare) rhizosphere soil, but the bacteria did not colonize root tissue [35]. Escherichia coli O157:H7 survived in soil for 35 days, but growth and survival were not different between bulk and rhizosphere soils [36]. The growth and survival of enteric bacteria in rhizosphere soils necessarily compete for resources including carbon sources, amino acids, nutrients, and moisture with the soil microbial community in that rhizosphere.…”