8.8 Steps to Prevent Plant Disease in Aquaponic Systems:

• Control temperature and humidity of the growing environment. High temperature and humidity often are the ideal environment for growth and spread of fungal and bacterial disease in plants. Particularly in a greenhouse or indoor facility, forced air ventilation and prevention of evaporation will reduce these parameters. It is also important to control these in and around the plant structure. This is accomplished through appropriate plant spacing and pruning fruiting crops with dense foliage.

• Sanitation. Implementing sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs) will help prevent disease outbreak in vegetable production units. Sanitizing propagation and harvesting tools and growing equipment such as rafts and NFT channels will also help prevent disease outbreak.

• Remove dead or diseased plants. Prompt removal and disposal of affected plants can help the spread of disease in the facility.

• Choose appropriate plant species. If external environmental conditions cannot be controlled, choosing resistant or appropriate varieties will save practitioners time and money.

• Seed quality and storage. Buy quality seeds and store them under refrigeration to prevent the seeds from molding and to increase germination.

Source: Janelle Hager, Leigh Ann Bright, Josh Dusci, James Tidwell. 2021. Kentucky State University. Aquaponics Production Manual: A Practical Handbook for Growers.