biofilm
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SOME RESEARCH studies have indicated that UV ( ultra violet irradiation ) and ozone disinfection of the nutrient solution can reduce biofilm growth , but not completely eliminate it .”
BIOFILM CONTROL AND REMOVAL
Biofilms that are acting as a reservoir of pathogenic disease spores can be removed due to their sticky and persistent structure . This , however , requires additional effort . If a severe root rot disease outbreak such as Pythium or Fusarium has occurred , the first step is to remove and destroy the infected plants well away from the indoor garden . Substrates should also be discarded and the system completely shut down for disinfection . The most effective way of removing established biofilms on surfaces such as NFT channels , grow beds , or pots and reservoirs is a good scrub with a hard brush to physically remove the biofilm . Even if all the biofilm is not physically removed , scrubbing allows sanitation chemicals to more effectively come into contact with the surface beneath . For the interiors of irrigation lines and other hard-to-reach places , running an acidic solution through the system once it is fully shut down helps remove salt buildup , lime scale , and dissolve biofilms , allowing these to be rinsed away with clean water . As a further step , running an oxidation agent such as hydrogen peroxide at a high rate through the plant-free system also assists to remove pathogen-infested biofilms . As disinfection agents can cause root damage on sensitive young plants , residue removal then needs to be carried out with several rinses of clean water , before replanting . Recent research has identified that some food-borne illness-causing pathogens can adhere to and form biofilms on fruit and foliage .
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