Developing low-cost tools for in-house tracking of microbial water quality in the horticulture industry

Rapid and standard 3M Petrifilm methods were compared (Aerobic Plate Count for bacteria (AC), Rapid Yeast and Mold (RYM), and E.coli and Total Coliform (Ec/TC)), as well as diluents and incubation times and temperatures. Other methods tested included LaMotte BioPaddles, Biosan SaniCheck YM, ColiTag and AgDia strips to select the ‘best’ method for on-site monitoring. Periodically, samples were submitted for DNA Multiscan analysis for plant pathogens to obtain correlations between this method and the 3M TY&M method being used as an ‘indicator’ test for the presence and level of fungal plant pathogen populations. A 2 year data base of water quality over different production systems, seasons and treatment systems was developed. Grower protocols for sampling and monitoring methods were developed and refined in cooperation with growers and their designated personnel. Training of owner/growers and/or designated personnel was carried out at each participating operation. The in-house data generated was compared to the on-going monitoring program in order to assess the practicality of the methods in-house and get feedback from the individual cooperators.

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hyk410a3y3xvas1/AADIZ6GqTHycjx39Okx1VQTHa?dl=0&preview=2017+Huber_Hands+on+Water+Testing.pdf; https://www.flowerscanadagrowers.com/uploads/2018/02/factsheet%206%20gf2%20petrifilm%20greenhouse%20(4).pdf
Keywords: water quality monitoring, in-house method, Petrifilm, DNA multiscan, phytopathogens, risk management