Abstract

Background: In Thailand, yield loss due to plant diseases in vegetables grown hydroponi- cally is very high as a result of the growers' lack of knowledge for controlling diseases and their un- willingness to invest in setting-up the proper hydroponic system from the beginning. Severe root rot disease caused by Pythium spp. is frequent and can be anticipated in the hot climate in Thailand.

Objective: This review focuses on the diseases in temperate lettuces which have been produced hydroponically and have been attacked by plant pathogens, particularly Pythium spp.

Methods: Biological control of vegetable diseases grown hydroponically has been investigated in Thailand. Research is being carried out to identify effective strains of the antagonists, formulating the applicable products and delivering them appropriately to control the disease. Products of Bacillus subtilis, Chaetomium globosom and Trichoderma harzianum have been recommended for use to control diseases in vegetables grown hydroponically.

Results: Control efficacy of these products is varied as the biological products have been used by the growers in the para- digm of using chemical fungicide for disease control in hydroponic production system, overlooking the intrinsic character- istics of the biological control products.

Conclusion: The recent patent, which minimizes the effects of sunlight and heat on the nutrient solution without the use of an external energy for cooling the nutrient, should be applied in producing hydroponic vegetables to mitigate poor plant growth and root rot disease outbreak in Thailand.

Keywords: Bacillus velezensis, Pythium spp., suspension concentrate formulation.

Graphical Abstract