Technology transfer from aquaculture to horticulture: rectangular sedimentation filter does not meet efficacy thresholds set for closed horticultural cropping systems

Potentially propelled by the increasing interest in aquaponics, there is a growing interest in technology transfer from aquaculture to horticulture with respect to disinfestation of recycling nutrient solution.
We tested the capacity of a rectangular sedimentation filter, developed for aquaculture, to remove microconidia of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cyclaminis (Focy), zoospores of Pythium aphanidermatum (Pa) and vegetative cells of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii (Xhp) in a plantless system.
The filters were run at two flow rates (600 and 6000 L h^‑1). Efficacies were calculated after the first passage through the filter and 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after introduction of the target organisms.
Irrespective of flow rate, the filterRSQUOs efficacy to remove zoospores of Pa was low (86-89% after 24 h) and did not meet the threshold of 99.9%. For Focy and Xhp, removal of microconidia and vegetative cells, respectively, was initially more efficient when the filters were run at the lower flow rate.
For these two organisms, peak efficacies were first reached after 24 h of filtration irrespective of flow rate.

International Symposium on New Technologies for Sustainable Greenhouse Systems: GreenSys2023

B.W. Alsanius, T. Brand

closed system, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cyclaminis, hydroponics, Pythium aphanidermatum, Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii, zeolite

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1426.42