1. 2015 M. McLean (globalpodpioneer@gmail.com) Page 1
Risk Assessment: Pests and Disease
Prepared by Marisa McLean
AgriPOD provides the solution to growing local food all year-round. AgriPOD uses vertical farming
strategies to increase product yields per unit of area making farming more profitable in a smaller space.
AgriPOD uses anaerobic bacteria and biodigester technology to produce upgraded biogas energy for the
AgriPOD greenhouse system. This advantage reduces the need for outside energy input from fossil fuels.
(reducing carbon emissions/footprint).
The biodigester provides liquid fertilizer enriched in Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium as well as
carbon dioxide, all of the building blocks to grow high-quality produce. The bubble insulation reduces
the amount of water needed within the greenhouse by shielding and shading plants on hot days and
insulating the inside of the greenhouse when it is cold outside while still letting light through. Dynamic
shading and transparent insulation are the key points of innovation for this greenhouse system and
allow for true-four season growing in any climate, while reducing waste going to landfills.
There are several risk considerations that need to be taken into account in maintaining a closed
ecological environment such as the AgriPOD. Backup generators, wear and tear, maintenance
considerations and malfunctions are all applicable. Human error, injury of critical staff are possible.
There is the risk of incompetence as well. This incompetence risk can be mitigated by educating staff on
the risk of injury and assigning protocols to avoid, eliminate and mitigate such risks.
Furthermore there are system risks that have to be assessed. There are risks when working with
ecological systems that include pests, disease and infestation. Pests and the disease are often related to
the region where your structure will be built and the attributing season. The Atlanta region resides in
the zone 8 Plant hardiness zone (with average minimum temperatures of (-7 C to -1 C or +10 F to +20F).
The Atlanta region does experience periods of high humidity in the summer months which can promote
certain diseases in plants.
Avoiding, eliminating and mitigating these risk will be taken under great consideration.
The summary below will attempt to provide a comprehensive risk assessment relating to Pests,
disease and Infestations/pestilence. The level of occurrence will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is
incredibly low and 5 is incredibly high likelihood of occurring.
Pests: Identify your Pests, Pest Prevention
Greenhouses are an enclosed environment that does still incur outside pests. Below are several
scenarios.
Rats and Mice

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Rats and mice are attracted to food sources in most habitable areas. Mice and Rats pose risks of
leaving droppings and consuming crops and damaging structure and equipment by chewing through.
Strategies to mitigate this risk are to employ mice and rat traps at all points of entry and inspect them
regularly. Regular checking by full-time staff will be an important strategy to prevent mice and rats from
entering the CEE. The risk of having mice and rats is rated at 2 (Average-low). Common protocols for
warehouse or greenhouse can be implemented in this scenario. Rats and mice pest control protocols
include finding out what are they eating. For example, rats and mice love sunflower seeds. Rats like
white and red turnips.
Aphids
Aphids attack kale and their cycle is mid-June to September. You can avoid growing Kale during that
period or implement natural insect control techniques. Kale tastes better in the fall anyway.
There are natural predators that can be used to eliminate and significantly minimize aphid
populations. These natural predators include praying mantises, aphidoceles, and ladybugs.
Other strategies include using diatomaceous earth powder on leaves and other surface near the
plant or other natural insecticides. All these items can be purchased at Natural Insect Control or West
Coast Seeds. The risk of having aphids is rated at 3 (Average risk).
Slugs
Slugs and snails are outdoor pest that enjoy leafy greens. This risk is greatly minimized by growing
indoors and is rated at 1 (very low risk). Slugs can be removed by hand easily or beer traps can be used
as a removal strategy. Not using tools from outdoors indoors will prevent slugs from entering the CEE.
Fruit flies
Fruit flies can be found in fruit and can lay eggs in any growing produce like cantaloupe or peaches,
etc. Ways to reduce this risk is to keep doors and windows closed as much as possible. Also fly traps can
be used but pose a risk to any other, advantageous insects found in the CEE (aphidoceles, for example).
Fruit fly traps can be effective for trapping fruit flies. The risk of fruit flies is moderate (rating 3 to 4) but
can be easily mitigated with the strategies above.
Wasps
Wasp are prevalent potential pests that can be harmful to staff and visitors if found living within or
near the facility. Wasps can build their nests in any accommodating space and can be difficult to remove
if left to expand the hive. Avoiding this risk can be done by keeping doors and windows closed or
adequately screened with mesh of 0.4 in or less. Also any small holes must be sealed in order fo the
insects not to get in. If the wasps do get inside they can be eliminated by their physical removal from the
facility, with organic pesticide or by calling an appropriate exterminator.
Vermicomposting

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Vermicomposting is a great way to take advantage of the natural decomposition of organic debris
and food waste. This process, however, lends itself to attracting many pests. Two of the main threats
include Fungus gnats, fruit flies and Mold. The fungus gnat finds the vermicompost environment ideal
for laying eggs and propagating. This can be prevented by adding hay and/or shredded newspaper to the
surface of the vermicompost heap and occasionally turning the plot to encourage aeration and aerobic
decomposition. The situation occurrence is average (rating of 3) but the risk can be readily and easily
mitigated with ventilation added to the compost area and the use of paper shredding as well as
monitoring the moisture levels of the heap. The nematodes will be preventing the gnat larvae from
maturing and can be purchased to add if necessary. Also the hay and newspaper shredding will prevent
the gnats from landing on the compost and laying their eggs.
The (harmful) fungus risk can be mitigated significantly by maintaining an aerobic environment that is
not too moist. Too much moisture will increase the risk of anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition
and encourage the production of methane and other unsavory byproducts in the vermicompost
environment. In addition the high moisture content will encourage mold growth and that compost will
then be able to spread that mold problem to soil in the grow beds of the plants (less of a risk in
hydroponics). This risk can be mitigated in several ways. Monitoring the moisture content either
electronically or manually (staff should be knowledgeable) compost can be treated with an organic
fungicide before being used for growing (UV light is one option). Also to prevent insects and fungus from
spreading the area with the vermicompost should be separate and closed off in a separate area. A
traditional sliding door would be appropriate and reduce the risk of cross contamination significantly.
Also, protocols for changing gloves or designating gloves for the vermicompost area and cleaning boots
is a highly recommended protocol, especially if there is a significant fungus issue in the area. Other
strategies for controlling a fungus problem (risk rating of 3) is removing a portion of the compost and
treating it elsewhere with UV light.
The risk of the worm colony collapsing is very low (rating of 1) with proper supervision from
knowledgeable staff.
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
The Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) is a common virus that presents a characteristic mottling on leaves
of nightshade plants (this includes tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers). It can be spread from human
handling and can lead to production loss. Cross contamination from using containers from other
greenhouses or nurseries without a heavy washing cycle (washing containers with bleach and leaving
out in UV-sunlight for several days is an effective strategy).
Weeds
Because the operation will be largely hydroponic or soil-less medium, weeds occurring will be
relatively low (risk rating of 1).
A brief on Hydroponics and disease

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The conditions of the hydroponic growing area are what determines the risk of common diseases.
The plants in the AgriPOD are all potential host for a fungal or disease host if not properly monitored.
Some key strategies include proper hygiene through hand washing, using gloves and not touching both
infected and uninfected plants with the same equipment. Insects can spread disease by landing on one
plant that is infected and then landing on an uninfected plant.
The best place to start is to make sure the plants you are starting with are from seeds or cuttings that
are not themselves contaminated or of weak stock. Use a trusted supplier and inform yourself.
Minimizing the presence of insects can mitigate this risk. Disinfecting the nutrient solution for plants
is an effective pest management solution. This can be done to prevent root zone disease like pythium
(root browning). Humidity control is also important. Humidity levels of 60 to 70 % are optimal and can
be monitored electronically or using analog instrumentation. Consideration of the water source for the
hydroponics is incredibly important in preventing disease. Pond water or lake water should be used if
treated 24 hours prior to use (but using stagnant water sources like this is not recommended). Stored
waters should be checked regularly for irregularities and mold content and kept in the dark if possible.
Good medium drainage in hydroponics if essential to prevent fungal infestations (Vertical farming
really helps the drainage with the help of gravity). Proper, weekly monitoring knowledgeable staff and
effective protocols can mitigate this risk.
Hydroponic plants need minimal stress. Maintaining correct conditions of the water, air moisture
light and nutrients, as well as pH will keep the plants hardy and able to withstand disease. In addition
cleaning the equipment between crops will greatly reduce system issues relating to disease.
In closing the AgriPOD provides protection from the outside environment for protected, high-quality
food production, water conservation and clean energy creation. AgriPOD, as a closed ecological
environment, provides a means to reduce pests and disease by separating the outdoors from the
indoors more effectively than a traditional greenhouse.

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Resources
Aphid Controls: Natural Insect Control (website) -- http://www.naturalinsectcontrol.com/
Atlanta Hardiness Zone -- http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-georgia-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-
map.php
Integrated Pest Management -- http://www.flairform.com/hints/disease_control_hydroponics.htm
Milton, Zaitlin “The Discovery of the Causal Agent of the Tobacco Mosaic Disease” --
http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Documents/1998/ZaitlinDiscoveryCausalA
gentTobaccoMosaicVirus.pdf
PricewaterhouseCoopers “Enterprise Risk Management” ERM Enterprise Risk Management PDF
http://www.pwc.com/us/en/issues/enterprise-risk-management/publications/erm-enterprise-
risk-management-emerging-risks.html
Tobacco Mosaic Virus -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_mosaic_virus#Disease_cycle
Special Thanks to Curtis Stone for his insight on weed control and mitigation as well on pest insight.
Vermicomposting -- http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/vermicomposting/ and University of Nebraska
– Lincoln -- http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/vermicompost107.shtml