Article in Vegetable News and Hortidaily - Clean water after disinfection? Don't count on it!
Water disinfection is now standard in modern greenhouse farming. Many growers rely on UV, ozone or ultrafiltration, among others, to remove pathogens from their drain/cast water, or add hydrogen peroxide. It is usually a combination of agents and equipment.
After such a treatment, the water appears clean and it is, but often only temporarily, warns Robert de Hoo on behalf of Ultramins. “‘In reality, the water often still contains small amounts of live pathogens such as Pythium, Fusarium and Agrobacterium. And in the day-stock or shoe-train silo, these find exactly the conditions they need to grow explosively again.”
Stagnant water and fertilisers: a perfect breeding ground
Once the water stands still, which is mainly at night, microorganisms can multiply again at lightning speed. ’In the day stock or shovel drain silo, contamination often just returns, especially with fertilisers in play,“ points out the founder of Ultramins.
The residual fertilisers in the silo, including nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphate and organic residues, act as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Within a few hours, the population of pathogens can increase significantly, leaving the ‘clean’ disinfected water contaminated again. “Thus, the very problem against which disinfection was intended is reintroduced into the crop unnoticed.”
Continuously clean with cavitating ultrasonic
Ultramins's USAF™ cavitating ultrasonic emitters offer a structural solution to this, he argues. “Instead of one-off disinfection, these emitters provide continuous treatment of the water namely in the silo. This fundamentally distinguishes this technique from other technologies, where the water often has to be fed along the system, so-called point disinfection. Indeed, the cavitation pressure waves in the water continuously and actively destroy pathogens, prevent biofilm formation on silo and pipe walls and keep the entire system clean.”
The pipes in the greenhouse also remain visibly cleaner, as the water flowing into them remains free of micro-organisms that have already been killed off in the silo/drain, Robert continues his explanation. For optimal results, especially with short contact times, Ultramins recommends adding an additive. “The combination of USAF™ cavitating ultrasound and an additive ensures the highest level of water quality and security in cultivation. It creates a synergy effect, which incidentally also works for improving performance and reducing maintenance costs of UV or ultrafiltration, among others.”
Up to the plant really clean water
Where traditional disinfection methods stop, Ultramins's USAF™ transmitters literally go further, right down to the last step before the greenhouse; the day supply. “This effectively protects the entire water chain, after all, the chain is as strong as the weakest link!”
With cavitating ultrasound, the water remains clean not only after treatment, but also until it reaches the plant. “A structural step forward in hygiene, sustainability and cultivation security.”
Ultramins also advocates treating the basin continuously with the USAF™ transmitters, this for controlling mainly algae, an ever-growing problem. “A good approach is a must, after all, the cleaner the water starts in the chain, the more the whole chain benefits. No more clogged filters, that's the goal, without chemicals, but with a sustainable technology.”
USAF™ is a trademark of Luijkx Ultrasound B.V.
For more information:
Ultramins B.V.
+31(0) 85 023 10 97
info@ultramins.com
www.ultramins.com