Waterborne Pathogens in Hydroponics
Waterborne pathogens are microorganisms capable of causing diseases when present in contaminated water. They thrive under specific conditions, such as poor water quality, adverse climate events, or improper system management, and can rapidly spread through hydroponic setups. These pathogens are transmitted via multiple routes, including direct contamination of water, insect vectors, infected plant material, human handling, or airborne spores settling on water surfaces. Hydroponic-specific pathogens include systemic bacteria, biofilm-forming bacteria, and opportunistic bacteria.
In hydroponics, where water serves as the primary medium for delivering nutrients to plants, these pathogens pose a significant challenge. The risk is particularly high in intensive monocropping systems, where the recirculating water system becomes a conduit for rapid pathogen transmission. This can severely affect plant health, reduce yields, and compromise the quality and marketability of crops.
Primary Categories of Waterborne Pathogens
Categories | Waterborne Pathogens | Symptoms |
Fungi | Pythium spp. Fusarium spp. Phytophthora spp | Damping-off and Root rot Wilting, yellowing, and vascular browning |
Bacteria | Pseudomonas syringae Erwinia chrysanthemi Xanthomonas campestris | Bacterial leaf spots and blights Soft rot and wilting Black rot and necrotic lesions. |
Viruses | Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV) Lettuce Necrotic Stunt Virus (LNSV) Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) | Mosaic patterns and leaf distortion in lettuce Stunted growth and necrotic lesions Chlorotic spots, stunting, and poor fruit quality. |
Protozoa | Phytophthora nicotinae | Root and crown rot |
Nematodes | Meloidogyne spp Plasmodiophora brassicae
| Root-knot nematodes and gall formation Clubroot disease |
Preventing waterborne pathogen outbreaks in hydroponics requires strict phytosanitary measures, including cleaning equipment and removing infected debris, along with effective water treatment methods like UV sterilization, NH Hydrogen Peroxide, or water sanitizer. Regular inspection and quarantine of new plants are essential to prevent the introduction of pathogens, while integrated pest management (IPM) using beneficial microbes (NH Subamo) can suppress harmful organisms. Maintaining optimal environmental conditions—temperature, humidity, and air circulation—reduces pathogen growth, and early detection through diagnostic tests helps address infections before they spread.
At NutriHydro, we advocate for using Biocon products such as NH Subamo and sanitizers like Hydrogen Peroxide to effectively prevent harmful pathogens that contribute to waterborne diseases.
For more information, message us on our Facebook page, NutriHydro, or join Hydroponics | The Next Generation of Growers. If you want to join the next generation of growers, click here to register.
References:
- Sela Saldinger, Shlomo, Victor Rodov, David Kenigsbuch, and Asher Bar-Tal. 2023. “Hydroponic Agriculture and Microbial Safety of Vegetables: Promises, Challenges, and Solutions” Horticulturae9, no. 1: 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010051
- Gina Patricia Suárez-Cáceres, Luis Pérez-Urrestarazu, Manuel Avilés, Celia Borrero, José R. Lobillo Eguíbar, Víctor M. Fernández-Cabanás, Susceptibility to water-borne plant diseases of hydroponic vs. aquaponics systems, Aquaculture, Volume 544, 2021, 737093, ISSN 0044-8486, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737093. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044848621007560)
- Rivas-García, Tomás, Ramsés Ramón González-Estrada, Roberto Gregorio Chiquito-Contreras, Juan José Reyes-Pérez, Uriel González-Salas, Luis Guillermo Hernández-Montiel, and Bernardo Murillo-Amador. 2020. “Biocontrol of Phytopathogens under Aquaponics Systems” Water12, no. 7: 2061. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12072061
Author
Aina Joy Eva
Aina Joy Eva
NutriHydro is a manufacturer of plant nutrients based in the Philippines. They are known to grow the healthiest, heaviest, and largest lettuce in the country. NutriHydro products are available to purchase from the following e-commerce platforms.
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