Enhancing Bio Protection Performances with Proper Farm Practices

NutriHydro has two new advanced products under the Bio Protection series: SUBAMO and BEBASS. These are biological crop protection which refers to the use of natural organisms, such as beneficial insects, microbes, or good bacteria, to control pests and diseases, particularly in agriculture. This method promotes sustainable farming by reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides while enhancing crop health and supporting ecological balance. To ensure their efficacy in real-world conditions, these beta products were sent to a select group of clients for testing and trials. 

The efficacy of biological crop protection is closely linked to the implementation of cultural practices in farming. 

Cultural Practices in Agriculture

Cultural practices in farming include a routine that adheres to the cleanliness and sanitation of the greenhouse. Here are some of the practices that they follow.

1. Choose varieties of plants that are resistant or less susceptible to common pests and diseases.
2. Clean all the equipment used and sterilize the hydroponic system, reservoirs, water pumps, and tubes to prevent algae/moss growth and bacterial contamination.
3. Maintaining good air circulation prevents the microclimates that pests, molds, and fungal diseases prefer.
4. Ensure that the water is free from contaminants and the system has adequate drainage to avoid stagnant water which can promote the growth of pests like fungus gnats.
5. Remember to practice crop rotation or intercropping with different plant species. This can help disrupt pest life cycles and reduce the buildup of species-specific pests. For instance, you can intercrop lettuce (a fast-growing leafy green) with basil (an herb with similar light and nutrient needs).
6. Properly spaced plants improve air circulation and light penetration.
7. Isolate new plants for a period before introducing them into your system.
8. Regularly check and track plants for signs of pests or disease.
9. Make sure that the nutrient solutions are well-balanced to maintain the health of the plants and help them withstand stress.
10. Introduce beneficial bacteria or fungi into the system to outcompete harmful organisms, boost plant immunity, and directly suppress pathogens.
11. Maintain the correct pH level to ensure that plants in a hydroponic system have access to essential nutrients.
12. Provide hand sanitizer dispensers at the entrance and require everyone to sanitize their hands before entering. Limit access to essential personnel and ensure visitors adhere to disinfection protocols.

These practices help reduce the incidence of diseases and pests, improve plant growth, and create an environment where plants can thrive. 

In hydroponic systems, poor cultural practices and inadequate sanitation can cause algae to grow excessively. When water management is neglected and nutrient solutions are left exposed, algae thrive, leading to clogged irrigation lines and competition with crops for nutrients. Keeping the environment clean and maintaining regular upkeep is very important to prevent algae overgrowth and promote healthy plant growth.

Our clients’ feedback has provided valuable insights into how these products perform under different farming conditions. It became clear that those with strong cultural practices on their farms reported highly effective results. These clients reported healthier plants, greater disease resistance, and overall improved crop yields. On the other hand, clients who have not yet implemented a strong cultural practice observed less effectiveness. This indicates that the success of these products is closely tied to the environment in which they are used. 

To maximize the potential of NutriHydro’s Bio Protection series, we encourage all growers to invest in strong cultural practices and adopt improvements to fully benefit from these advanced solutions. This will be an assurance that their crops will receive the best possible protection and care.

For inquiries or further information about hydroponic cultivation and our product line, please message and join our Facebook page, NutriHydro Plant Nutrients and Hydroponics | The Next Generation of Growers. Also, you are invited to register to our website and be a part of the next generation of growers.

References:

Mann, W. (2015) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Greenhouse Hydroponic Production of Berry Crops.

López-Morales, V., López-Ortega, O., Ramos-Fernandez, J., & Munoz, L. B. (2008). JAPIEST: An integral intelligent system for the diagnosis and control of tomato diseases and pests in hydroponic greenhouses. Expert systems with applications, 35(4), 1506-1512.

Soniya Bashyal, Dikshya Poudel, Bhola Gautam (2022). A Review on Cultural Practice as An Effective Pest Management Approach Under Integrated Pest Management. Tropical Agroecosystems, 3(1): 34-40