Do you know how many diseases are waiting to attack the roots of your hydroponic crop? The effect of root disease can be mild through to devastating. Most growers have had the experience of thinking that their crop is going to be great only to find that, within the space of a few days, the crop's condition has degenerated markedly. There is Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora which are the most common. In addition, there are several others which are less common but nevertheless very dangerous if they infect your crop. Among these are Thielaviopsis, Fusarium, Sclerotinia and Cylindrocladium.
Pythium is the most commonly found root disease in both hydroponic systems and in the soil. The symptoms are quite specific. If the plant's roots go brown and smelly and the plants wilt when the lights are on, then you are probably dealing with Pythium. Before blaming a disease however, check that the nutrient aeration is OK. Lack of oxygen in the system can cause similar symptoms.
When plants are growing strongly, they can usually fight off the effects of the disease. They are able to produce chemicals which attack the disease organisms. When the plants are under stress, however, they produce much less of these chemicals and the disease organism can take hold.
Canadian Xpress have isolated the battery of chemicals that the plant manufactures to defend itself. They have encapsulated these chemicals in a liquid formulation and when this is used in your nutrient solution they have the same effect as the plant's own defences and the result is healthy plants. This approach is known as Induced Resistance.
Pythium is the most commonly found root disease in both hydroponic systems and in the soil. The symptoms are quite specific. If the plant's roots go brown and smelly and the plants wilt when the lights are on, then you are probably dealing with Pythium. Before blaming a disease however, check that the nutrient aeration is OK. Lack of oxygen in the system can cause similar symptoms.
When plants are growing strongly, they can usually fight off the effects of the disease. They are able to produce chemicals which attack the disease organisms. When the plants are under stress, however, they produce much less of these chemicals and the disease organism can take hold.
Canadian Xpress have isolated the battery of chemicals that the plant manufactures to defend itself. They have encapsulated these chemicals in a liquid formulation and when this is used in your nutrient solution they have the same effect as the plant's own defences and the result is healthy plants. This approach is known as Induced Resistance.