Horticultural Science and Technology 원예과학기술지 ISSN:1226-8763(Print) 2465-8588(Online)

This study was conducted to compare colony forming unit (CFU) of microorganisms in closed and open soilless culture systems for estimating the possibility for potential disease occurrence. Samples were collected at four different positions in four commercial greenhouses with closed or open soilless culture system using rock wool or coir as substrate, respectively. The distance between sampling positions was 3 cm starting from the substrate and the surface area of each position was 25 cm2. The CFU of fungi was significantly higher in the open system, while that of bacteria was not significantly different but showed relatively lower in the closed system. Samples collected at the plastic surface of the substrates where little environmental effects occurred from drainage showed lower CFU than any other positions. The principal component analysis showed that samples collected on the drainage pathway highly affected the changes in microbial population in the greenhouse. These results indicated that greenhouses with closed soilless culture are expected to have more advantageous conditions for restraining the microbial growth, resulting in the lower potential of disease occurence in greenhouse ecosystem.