ISHS Acta Horticulturae 644: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
WORKSHOP: DISINFESTATION OF RECIRCULATED NUTRIENT SOLUTION - TOWARDS NEW APPROACHES? |
| Authors: | E. van Os, B. Alsanius |
| Abstract:
Closed hydroponic systems have certain advantages over open systems. There is a more efficient use of water and nutrients by which the environmental impact decreases. A disadvantage is the risk of a rapid dispersal of pathogens all over the nursery. Consequently, a grower wants to eliminate those pathogens to decrease or to avoid loss in yield or quality. Physical, chemical and biological approaches have been successively tested for disinfestation of the nutrient solution. Depending on the approach, harmful and/or useful organisms are killed. The role of potentially useful microorganisms in the nutrient solution of closed systems is not yet clear. Besides, their life and environment is influenced by disinfestation methods, such as heat treatment, UV-radiation or slow filtration. Inoculation of microorganisms to the nutrient solution shows varying results. Another aspect is that certain pathogens are suppressed naturally under certain conditions. At laboratory scale good results have been achieved, but translation to a practical application is sometimes difficult or, again, varying. Both, plant roots and microorganisms release metabolites. Are they useful or harmful and in what concentrations in a closed system? The workshop aims to exchange ideas and opinions and to find new approaches. | |
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