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Hydroponics Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi!

© a.k.a. MBR

Viral ,bacterial, fungal, and/or other biological invasions (like the infamous Tobacco Mosaic virus and the well known Pythium spp. to name a couple) are some of the most frightening things to both professional and amateur gardeners everywhere around the world. They are the root cause of millions of dollars worth of damage occurring each year and result in the destruction of many crop and ornamental plants.

Many strains of plants have been developed that are resistant to prevalent strains of possible micro- and macroscopic invaders, but problems can occur with many species. Preventative maintenance, cleanliness, and diligence can help to reduce the risk of incursions from happening.

Sand filters are used in many places to "compartmentalize" sections of some Hydroponics facilities, preventing destructive viral transmissions between different sections of the crop plants being grown. The fertilizer nutrient solution is re-circulated through trays or pipes filled with fine sand that serves to allow for viral isolation and eradication. Sand filters can thusly be used in a combination de-nitrifying/anti-viral manner.

It is always a good idea to practice using clean, porous growing media substrates such as Pearlite or Coir to prevent harboring fungal &/or bacterial colonies. The internal matrix structure of Perlite makes it have very beneficial physical characteristics such as; well-balanced water:air holding ratio capacity, light weight, and relatively high capillary force potential.

Steam treatment is the preferred method of media cleaning because it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, yet very effective.

Ozone (O3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ultra-violet light (~) applying devices are sometimes used to guard against pests by certain people, but they can have unwanted side-effects like fertilizer nutrient degradation and toxicity.

Copper-sulph(f)ate can also been used in solution to fight fungi (like in the infamous "Bordeaux" solution along with Hydrated Lime), but may result in harm to certain types of plants such as Bromeliads (Epiphitic "Air-Plants").

Relatively safe products such as Magnesium Sulf(ph)ate can also be used to prevent or control fungal &/or mold/mildew infestations when necessary.

Disinfectants and anti-fungals/virulants/biotics such as soap, Sulph(f)ur, alcohol, Colloidal Silver, Benzalkonium chloride, Silver nitrate, Calcium peroxide, Sodium hypoclorite ("Bleach"), and Potassium permanganate can also be used on selected plants, substrates, solutions, cuttings, tissue culture specimens, seed(ling)s, clones, tools, and surroundings beneficially to eliminate uninvited guests, but many are poisonous and should be avoided or handled respectfully to avoid problems.

There have also been recent rumours of beneficial bacteria & various other types of microorganisms being developed and bred through hybridization and genetic engineering (biotechnology) that are able to diminish unfriendly pathogens such as specialized Fungi species capable of destroying Dandelions, and others such as Mycorrhizae which aid in nutrient gathering.

The copyright of the article Hydroponics Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi! in Hydroponic Gardening is owned by a.k.a. MBR. Permission to republish Hydroponics Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.