Influence of solid dairy manure and compost with an without alum on survival of indicator bacteria in soil and on potato

We measured Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. and fecal coliform numbers in soil and on fresh potato skins after addition of 12 solid dairy manure and dairy compost with and without alum (Al 2(SO4)3) treatment 1, 7, 14, 28, 179 and 297 days after application. 13 The addition of dairy compost or solid dairy manure at rates to meet crop phosphorus uptake did not consistently increase E. coli 14 and Enterococcus spp. and fecal coliform bacteria in the soil. We did not detect E. coli in any soil sample after the first sampling day. 15 Seven, 14, 28, 179 and 297 days after solid dairy waste and compost and alum were applied to soil, alum did not consistently affect 16 Enterococcus spp. and fecal coliform bacteria in the soil. We did not detect E. coli in any soil, fresh potato skin or potato wash-water 17 at 214 days after dairy manure or compost application regardless of alum treatment. Dairy compost or solid dairy manure 18 application to soil at rates to meet crop phosphorus uptake did not consistently increase Enterococcus spp. and fecal coliform 19 numbers in bulk soil. Solid dairy manure application to soil at rates to meet crop phosphorus uptake, increased Enterococcus spp. 20 and fecal coliform numbers in potato rhizosphere soil. However, fresh potato skins had higher Enterococcus spp. and fecal coliform 21 numbers when solid dairy manure was added to soil compared to compost, N and P inorganic fertilizer and N fertilizer treatments. 22 We did not find any E. coli, Enterococcus or total coliform bacteria on the exterior of the tuber, within the peel or within a whole 23 baked potato after microwave cooking for 5 min