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.

Development of water treatment best management practices for the greenhouse and nursery industries on Ontario; hybrid treatment systems

This project was intended to provide guidance on innovative water treatment technologies for the horticulture sector in Ontario. The scope of the project included: installation of 2 portable hybrid treatment systems (HTS) to test the operational parameters needed to treat (i.e. clean) floriculture greenhouse and nursery wastewater so that it can be either safely discharged to the environment, or rendered suitable for re-use within the operation, installation of 2 permanent hybrid treatment systems (HTS), one at a container nursery and one at a flower greenhouse, using information obtained from the pilot systems as well as previous studies, and development of a Guidance Document for growers to help them make informed decisions regarding water management and treatment options. The Hybrid Treatment System represents a flexible tool for water treatment, particularly in situations where there is a desire to recirculate or discharge very clean water. Removal rates in each of the selected media are dependent on temperature, flow rate (hydraulic retention time), and nutrient concentration. Temperature is particularly important for the woodchip cells, since these are primarily a biological treatment. For optimum performance these systems need to be designed on the basis of projected daily water volumes, concentrations for treatment, and expected temperatures over the entire production period. While these systems do require a significant footprint outdoors, they can be tailored to match the volumes and fluctuations of a particular operation. And in many cases, the surface of the treatment can be used as a production area, but machine traffic should be avoided. It is highly recommended that growers conduct a self-assessment of the farm prior to choosing a water management solution.

Best Management Practices for the Ontario Greenhouse and Container Nursery Industry to Protect Surface and Sub-surface Water Quality TOGA-OMAFRA Great Lakes Project 07-038)

The project objectives were to demonstrate the principles of collection, treatment, and reuse of irrigation runoff water in the greenhouse horticulture industry and develop and draft a. Existing treatment systems were monitored at three sites and new systems were installed and monitored at the seven sites. Irrigation water runoff and water at interim stages of each treatment system were monitored to determine their effectiveness. A Greenhouse and Container Nursery Water and Nutrient Management BMP document was drafted which formed the basis of the three individual OMAFRA BMP and self-assessment guides for greenhouse vegetable, container nursery, and greenhouse floriculture production.