NUFLOW – Nano- and ultrafiltration for sustainable water flows in greenhouse horticulture
Project type:
EIP Operational Groups ‘Productive and Sustainable Agriculture’ – 2025 call for proposals
Duration:
01/04/2026 - 31/03/2028
Theme(s):
Water
Short summary:
The cultivation of fruiting vegetables and leafy crops is increasingly under threat from pathogens such as fungi, viruses and bacteria. Nano-ultrafiltration is a promising technique for removing pathogens from irrigation water using a physical membrane, but its practical application remains a challenge.
Objective of the project
This project investigates how nano-ultrafiltration can best be integrated into the hydroponic cultivation of lettuce, tomatoes and peppers, but may also have benefits for other hydroponic crops.
The results of this project will provide growers with practical guidelines on the use of nano-ultrafiltration, with the aim of achieving a more sustainable water strategy and improved disease management in greenhouse horticulture.
How do we achieve this
We are mapping out various ultrafiltration applications, analysing the treatment of backwash water and identifying the most efficient configurations that allow us to remove pathogens as effectively as possible without causing re-infection in the cultivation system. The microbiological retention/detection potential of the various nano-ultrafiltration systems will also be of great importance in this regard. In the second year, we will carry out a validation trial to test the insights gained and, where possible, further optimise them.
