Chemical protection against Erwinia (Rot)


I have a problem (I actually have several, but this is one I think listers
might be able to help with!!) (-;

All the following questions/comments refer to bearded irises only:

I'm interested in the possibility of spraying our two-acre bearded iris
fields with a chemical to protect against soft rot (Erwinia caratovora). We
have recently obtained a new chemical (new to the UK anyway) called "Jet-5",
which contains 5% w/w peroxyacetic acid as the active ingredient. This has a
label recommendation for treating **uncropped** ground against Erwinia by
drenching with a 1:100 solution. 
Has anyone tried spraying this over ground planted with irises, and, if so,
what were the results?

Has anyone got any other good suggestions for chemicals that can be used over
a large area to treat against Erwinia, especially preventative treatments?
I'm particularly looking for something that does not need to be applied as a
drench because of the sheer volume of spray solution that would be required.
Bleach is a non-starter (illegal under UK law, and probably a bad idea in
terms of run-off pollution (our field has a drainage ditch on the south side
that eventually flows into a local river)).

Cryptonol (14% potassium hydroxyquinoline sulphate) has a label
recommendation over cropped ground against Erwinia (trial it first!) but
requires drenching with a very large amount of solution - about 21600 litres
over our two acre patch!! This chemical also has a recommendation for leaf
spot.

Has anyone used Terraclor 20D (20% quintozene)? This is a dust type soil
fungicide. Does it have any effect against Erwinia bacteria?

How about dipping plants in chemical solution prior to planting - any
experience with Jet-5 or Cryptonol? We have used Systhane-6W (myclobutanil)
with a wetting agent, which proved very effective against rust, and also
helped against leaf spot (50% effective) but had little or no effect against
Erwinia.



All suggestions gratefully received. I will keep listers posted on the
results of my research.
TIA

Graham Spencer
Croftway Nursery, UK
croftway@aol.com
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