Variation in Pathogenic Organisms as Affected by Using Hydroponic Nutrient Wastewater in Horticultural Facilities

Abstract

Among the horticulture facilities in Korea, the hydroponic cultivation method has been increasingly used. This study aimed to identify fungi and bacterial species in hydroponic cultivation and highlight the need for sterilization to recycle the discharged drainage. Samples were collected from a number of paprika, tomato, and strawberry hydroponic greenhouses. Vinyl and glass greenhouses were studied, and the drainage discharge was of two types: direct discharge and collection after discharge. In total, 24 fungal and six bacterial species were detected from 399 and 151 densities, respectively. The primary fungal and bacterial species identified were from the genera Fusarium, Pythium, and Phytophthora as well as Agrobacterium and Pseudomonas. Statistical analysis revealed that the species number and density of fungi and bacteria were higher in strawberry than in tomato or paprika. These values were higher for vinyl greenhouses than for glass greenhouses. This study on the reuse of drainage from hydroponic greenhouses may contribute to the recycling of resources and reduction in water pollutant emission; this will thus help us to implement sustainable horticulture practices.

Correction: Son et al. Variation in Pathogenic Organisms as Affected by Using Hydroponic Nutrient Wastewater in Horticultural Facilities. Agriculture 2022, 12, 1340

“…The original article [1] has been amended to increase the clarity of citation sources within the text.…”

“…The facility gardening industry in Korea has been referred to as the 'white revolution' and is becoming a major agricultural technology by producing high profits and adding value to various agricultural products through year-round cultivation. This industry has become crucial for farmers who face difficulties such as falling agricultural prices [1][2][3][4][5]. Since the 1990s, the facility horticulture industry has accounted for more than 40% of the total horticulture industry, driven by the increasing demand for productivity, high quality, and labor savings through automation [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9].…”

“…This industry has become crucial for farmers who face difficulties such as falling agricultural prices [1][2][3][4][5]. Since the 1990s, the facility horticulture industry has accounted for more than 40% of the total horticulture industry, driven by the increasing demand for productivity, high quality, and labor savings through automation [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9]. Hydroponics is a cultivation method that utilizes a solid medium to provide crops with the necessary nutrients and moisture [1,2,4,10].…”

“…Since the 1990s, the facility horticulture industry has accounted for more than 40% of the total horticulture industry, driven by the increasing demand for productivity, high quality, and labor savings through automation [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9]. Hydroponics is a cultivation method that utilizes a solid medium to provide crops with the necessary nutrients and moisture [1,2,4,10]. In Korea, hydroponics was introduced in 1954 and has gained prominence due to its ability to produce high-quality crops for both domestic consumption and exportation [1,2,4,11,12].…”

Contamination and Spatial Distribution of Metal(loid)s in the Stream Sediment near the Greenhouse

“…Republic of Korea's facility horticulture industry ranks among the top in the world, along with China, Spain, the Netherlands, and Japan, and is considered a "white revolution" due to the large income it generates [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. For this reason, greenhouse horticulture in Korea continues to grow [10,11].…”