Bromine and Chlorine Disinfestation of Nursery Water Supplies
R. De Hayr, K. Bodman and L. Forsberg
A wide range of plant pathogens are waterborne, and recycled irrigation water is recognised as a major source of inoculum. Phytophthora, Alternaria, Aschochyta, Fusarium, Pythium, and Helminthosporum are some of the nursery crop pathogens capable of entering water storages (Gill, 1970; Thomson and Allen, 1974).
Chlorination of nursery irrigation water from surface sources is currently the main method of disinfestation in Australia. Microfiltration, ultraviolet irradiation, bromination, ozonation, and the use of chlorine dioxide are lesser used methods.
A prior (unpublished) survey conducted by the authors indicated that chlorination was not being used successfully by nursery operators in most situations. A major reason for this was a general lack of appreciation by the survey participants of the need to routinely monitor chlorine demand and thus enable themselves to constantly maintain biocidal concentrations of residual free chlorine. The majority of operators included
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