on the floor), wash and disinfect floor surfaces, hoses, equipment, etc. with a 10% solution of bleach or a commercial disinfectant (GreenShield is an example). Wooden structures such as benches or trays should be soaked in a disinfectant such as bleach (10%) or GreenShield for a minimum of an hour and preferably overnight.  A simple washing of wooden surfaces is inadequate because of the cracks and crevices that may allow the bacteria to escape a surface wash.  Bacteria that overwinter on a wooden surface may be carried to the plants in water droplets next season during the splashing of overhead irrigation.

A contaminated field should be rotated out of tomatoes for at least three years.  At one time it was believed that a rotation of at least five years was necessary.  However, it is now known that the level of bacteria in a contaminated field drops dramatically after the first year of rotation.  Any equipment used in the problem field should be washed and disinfected prior to entering a clean field.  Equipment and workers should begin work in the cleanest field and finish with the contaminated field.  Copper sprays every five to seven days may help reduce the spread of bacterial canker.  However, if the environment is favorable for bacterial canker (75 - 90°F with rain) coppers may be limited because the bacteria has a decided advantage in a wet environment.  Avoid working in a diseased field when it is wet to avoid spreading the disease.  Bacteria may enter the plant through natural openings, or wounds created by wind, pesticide spraying or insects.  A film of water on the leaf surface allows the bacteria to remain viable and move.  If workers are moving within a wet field and creating new wounds on the plants, new infections are likely.  If plants have been staked, all stakes should be treated as discussed previously for wooden trays and benches.