"Effective sanitation must include both cleaning and disinfection — in the right order"

Many greenhouse sanitation programs concentrate on one practice: flushing irrigation lines. Hydrogen peroxide-based products, such as Huwa-San TR-50, are widely used for this purpose. However, pathogens do not live only in waterlines. They can also persist on floors, walls, tools, footwear, vehicles and plant debris.

When sanitation stops at the irrigation system, gaps in biosecurity can remain. A resilient sanitation program therefore looks beyond water and addresses the wider production environment.

© Global Horticultural Inc.

Over the course of a crop cycle, organic matter, plant debris, growing media and soil accumulate in the greenhouse. Several high-risk zones can harbour pathogens outside the irrigation system, including floors and drains, benches and vertical surfaces, tools, carts and other equipment, and areas affected by foot traffic, wheels and entry points.

Effective sanitation involves both cleaning and disinfection, in that order. Cleaning means physically removing organic matter and visible soiling from surfaces, which allows the subsequent disinfection step to work effectively. Organic residues can shield pathogens from disinfectants, so a surface that has not been properly cleaned cannot be reliably disinfected.

Roam Technology, an international cleaning, disinfection and performance company, offers products for both stages. The company is best known for Huwa-San, a silver-stabilised hydrogen peroxide formulation used to break down biofilm and disinfect irrigation lines.

© Global Horticultural Inc.

For cleaning, the company supplies Roam Eco Clean, a strongly alkaline horticultural foam cleaner designed to break down organic deposits on a range of materials. According to the manufacturer, the foam adheres to surfaces, which extends contact time and helps dislodge debris. It is intended for vertical surfaces, tables and floors, particularly during crop rotation and post-harvest cleanouts.

For disinfection, the company produces Virba-San, a broad-spectrum disinfectant that is active against bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi. Its high reactivity makes it suited to high-traffic areas such as entryways and footbaths. The dissolved product is pink while the active compound remains effective and fades as it degrades after contact with organic matter. This gives a visual indication of when a footbath solution should be replaced. Because it can be used at footbaths and on equipment, disinfection can follow staff and machinery as they move within or between greenhouses.

© Global Horticultural Inc.

As in pest control, sanitation tends to be most effective when layered. Waterline treatment remains an established component of greenhouse hygiene, but combining it with thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of surfaces and access points can close additional biosecurity gaps. A cleaner greenhouse provides a healthier starting point for each new crop.

For more information:

Global Horticultural Inc.

https://globalhort.com/