Ubix Bio launches to provide greenhouse root zone diagnostics

Ubix Bio has launched following the merger of two University of Waterloo spin-offs, Earth Microbial and Healthy Hydroponics. The new company aims to provide microbial consultancy and diagnostic services for the greenhouse industry, specifically targeting the root zone, which is often a data gap in greenhouse production.

Using quantitative PCR (qPCR) testing, the company measures pathogen levels in water, roots, crowns, and growing media to identify disease pressure. This approach allows growers to confirm specific pathogens and establish thresholds for symptomatic crops. Additionally, the laboratory performs alive/dead testing to evaluate the effectiveness of sanitation strategies such as peroxide, nanobubbles, and UV.