HortScience · 1976 · 11 citations · 0 references
EngineeringMicrobiologyIrrigation EngineeringIrrigation ManagementWater TreatmentDrip IrrigationIrrigationPathogen ControlSulfur CompoundsSulfur DioxideWater Quality MicrobiologyBacterial Sulfide ProductionDrip EmittersSulfate-reducing BacteriaSulfate-reducing MicroorganismsSulfide RemovalSulfur Dioxide Antimicrobial ActivitySulfur Dioxide TreatmentSulfur-oxidizing Bacteria
Abstract A white sulfur slime produced by certain sulfur bacteria clogged drip irrigation emitters when the water contained H 2 S. Systems were cleaned by irrigating continuously for 3 weeks after first eliminating O 2 leaks. After cleanout, growths of sulfur bacteria were prevented by keeping the lines full of water and free of O 2 between irrigations. Intermittent injection of chlorine to yield a free residual level of 0.5 ppm prevented sulfur bacterial growths. Lowering the pH to 6.4 with SO 2 or 6.0 with HCl also inhibited sulfur bacterial growths.