Plants, as living organisms, are not immune to disease. Like our human bodies, which must constantly fend off pathogens such as the common cold virus, plants are constantly under attack. Although some plants are often seen weeds, sometimes event with healing pharmaceutical properties and numerous industrial opportunities, we must remember that at the end of the day, it is still a plant.
Airborne pathogens are always present. These pathogens consist of fungi, bacteria, viruses, odors, endotoxins, pollen and/or dust. Most of these are so small that they are barely detectable by humans. And when they are detected, it is often already too late.
This is no different when growing plants. Mildew and Botrytis are two diseases that are common threats when growing plants. These diseases most often spread via airborne particles and prevail under damp conditions. So in order to prevent Mildew and Botrytis to appear in the crop, it is highly necessary to keep control of the greenhouse environment. Without the right environment for the disease to grow, it will be easier to prevent it from settling in the crop. To control the greenhouse environment, it is possible to ventilate the warm and humid air through the roof ventilation of the greenhouse, but this also leaves the door wide open to other infections. Even though it is important to prevent diseases like Mildew and Botrytis from growing, plants tend to grow better with relatively higher humidity levels, making it a complex balance between crop growth and disease control.