Hydroponic systems allow growers to grow plants in a controlled environment. It provides protection from soil-borne pests, but there are pests and diseases that spread through water. It is important to identify the diseases on crops and execute the best management practices, otherwise they can wreak havoc on your hydroponic system.
Some common hydroponic pests and diseases
Aphids
Aphids are small in size and are hard to identify in their early stages. They first appear on new stems and leaves and weaken the plants by sucking up the juices from their leaves and turning them yellow. You may notice discoloured or wilting leaves.
Thrips
You may not notice them on your farm as they are very small in size, but their damage is easy to identify. They suck up the juice from leaves and scrape the surface of leaves, leaving metallic black specks accompanied by leaves turning brown and dry.
Spider mites
They are the most common pests in hydroponics and can be difficult to identify because of their small size. In a large infestation, you’ll see spider like webbing on your plant and yellow speckles on your veggie leaves.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are tricky to spot because of their small size and tend to hang out on the underside of the leaves. They are easy to spot when they reach adult size and suck up the plant, causing white spots and yellowing.
Root Rot
Root rot is the most common root disease in hydroponics. Generally caused by the fungus Pythium, Symptoms are usually first noticed as wilting or tip burn on leaves. The roots are brown with sparse root hairs.
Powdery mildew/Downy mildew
Powdery mildew and downy mildew are both caused by fungus and damage the leaves of plants. Powdery mildew looks like sprinkled white powder over the leaf. Downy mildew develops on the underside of the leaves and causes yellow and brown spots.
Gray mold
They are also known as mold and ghost spots. White to grey mold spreads rapidly on the surface of leaves and continues to deteriorate plants until it turns brown and mushy.
