Cannabis News
Biofilm, pathogens, and the costs of dirty irrigation systems
Walk into most cannabis facilities and the grow rooms should (should) look clean. Plant lines under marked light, climate systems singing, nutrient programs marked to a decimal. However, inside the irrigation lines, a different story often unfolds. Out of sight, out of mind is not always applicable, unfortunately.
Biofilm accumulation in irrigation infrastructure is one of the most persistent and underestimated problems of CEA. Left unchecked, it creates the conditions for pathogen pressure, nutrient inconsistencies and costly crop losses. “However, in many operations, the solutions offered have historically come with their own trade-offs, phytotoxicity concerns, incompatibility with beneficial microbes, or less aggressive chemicals that require complete crop removal before application,” says Key Solutions Group’s Don Lund.
© Key Solutions Group
As the owner of Key Solutions Group, the manufacturer’s representative for PRO-OXINE® Horticulture, a unique chlorine dioxide-based chemical developed specifically for CEA environments, registered by the EPA as a disinfectant, sanitizer, algicide and fungicide and manufactured in the United States. Don is very aware of the space growers need to navigate. “There are a lot of chemicals on the market,” says Don, “and what usually happens on the irrigation side is that growers start dealing with biofilm and end up looking for something that creates phytotoxicity problems. Our chemistry is based on Integrated Disease Management (IDM) principles. The goal is to keep the growing clean from the start through prevention. We’re a science-based company, not a marketing-based one,” he says. “That makes a real difference in this space, especially for growers who have been burned before.”
One chemistry, many applications
What sets PRO-OXINE® Horticulture apart is a proprietary blend of purified sodium chlorite and highly refined oxychlorine species with dual-use flexibility, according to Don. “The same chemistry, activated on-site by a mild acid, can be spread across irrigation lines and hard non-porous surfaces. This means a single product handles what would otherwise require multiple SKUs, reducing inventory complexity and simplifying staff training.”
Activation occurs through a proprietary method, allowing for the persistent residual effect that Don describes throughout the growing cycle, a key difference from chlorine dioxide products, which tend to act in a binary mode: inactive or fully activated, while leaving mostly undesirable toxic byproducts.
© Key Solutions Group
“With standard chlorine dioxide, you’re either on or off,” Don explains. “Developed specifically by the manufacturer for CEA, it allows you to manipulate ppm levels while maintaining a near-neutral pH, which maintains a clean, healthy irrigation environment throughout the growing cycle, rather than hoping for the best.”
For facilities with existing biofilm problems, the protocol can be adapted accordingly. “Starting slowly or using a shock treatment at night when there are no plants, followed by a wash,” he says. “For clean operations, the focus shifts to prevention: injecting at low ppm during irrigation (2 ppm per EPA rule) keeps lines clean, nutrients effective and the root zone happy and healthy. We eliminate the need for shock between growths while being proven time and time again.”
The chemistry also addresses specific pathogen challenges that cannabis growers regularly encounter, including biofilm, fusarium, botrytis, HLVd, iron bacteria and other water sources, and algae and botrytis build-up on floors and tables. “Applications range from inlet water, storage tanks, irrigation, recycled water systems, tools, facility hard surfaces, equipment and more to disinfecting and effective sanitation with PRO-OXINE® horticulture.”
© Key Solutions Group
Organic word of mouth
“What’s interesting about our growth in the horticulture field is through word of mouth, as we do very little actual advertising and marketing. Our customers are our best form of marketing as they share their experiences with their industry contacts. Yes, we exhibit a few cannabis and produce CEA shows a year, however testimonials and relationship building have been very key.” Don estimates that about 90% of new business comes from existing customers recommending PRO-OXINE® to members of the Horticulture industry. It’s a dynamic that he attributes not only to product performance, but to the company’s approach to the relationship itself. “We don’t sell consumables,” he says. “We’re selling a solution through prevention…an IDM approach. The mindset is completely different. We want growers to succeed through a proven proactive approach, which is what Key Solutions Groups is all about.”
© Key Solutions Group
Key Solution Group (Altoona, IA) is currently expanding its presence in Europe, Australia and South America while continuing to grow and produce its own cannabis in North America. Key Solution Group is the manufacturer’s representative for PRO-OXINE Horticulture and the manufacturing facility of Kemin Bio Solutions (Des Moines, IA; Norman, OK).
For more information:
Key Solutions Group
(515) 802-2761
(email protected)
ksg-corp.com
Cannabis News
Columbia hemp business Burning Acre to close and move to North Carolina over new Tennessee rules
Burning Acre, a Columbia, Tennessee-based hemp company, says it will close its retail store and move operations to North Carolina ahead of new state regulations that take effect July 1, according to WSMV.
The business says its last day to open in Columbia will be June 30, the same day the Tennessee Department of Agriculture licenses for hemp-derived cannabinoids expire. As of July 1, businesses that continue to operate in the state will be required to be licensed under a new regulatory framework led by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Burning Acre says the changes have forced it to abandon plans for a new sandwich shop and bakery and close its Tennessee retail operations and relocate to Murphy, North Carolina. “I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s a very hard video for me and a message I should never have written,” the business wrote.
The business puts the annual cost of manufacturing, distribution and running the retail store at about $750. Under the new rules, he says, those costs would rise by tens of thousands of dollars, citing new licensing fees, a required $25,000 annual bond and increased testing fees.
The law, which took effect in July, changes the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid businesses from the Department of Agriculture to the ABC. The Department of Agriculture stopped issuing licenses at the end of 2025, and the licenses issued by the TDA will remain valid until June 30, 2026.
“Columbia, we absolutely love being a part of this community,” said Burning Acre. “We are truly heartbroken to have to say goodbye to this location.”
Read more at WSMV4
Cannabis News
North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill To Set A Minimum Age Limit For Hemp And Kratom Products
Well, it’s not 2026 photos, but with around 600 photos, we definitely did our best. For the past two days, the Netherlands has been the place to be for the global greenhouse industry. From Flower Trials for the horticulture sector, company visits to growers and technical suppliers, as well as dinners, get-togethers, drinks, knowledge sessions and much more. And of course with GreenTech Amsterdam.
The event brought together professionals from around the world to connect, network, share knowledge and do business.
Next week, we’ll be sharing more information on market developments, trends, what’s on display, news, business news, innovations and whatever else you can think of, but for now we’ll stick to photo reporting.
Click here for the photo report.
© Arlette Sijmonsma | MMJDaily.com
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