Idézet:Plants grow in soil, as we all know, but what exactly is soil? As growing plants in a soilless medium becomes increasingly popular around the world due to a lack of suitable soils, disease contamination from repeated use, and the desire to provide optimal conditions for plant growth, there is much to discuss regarding soilless agriculture. In soilless culture, we provide the same nutrients pre-mixed into a water reservoir, coupled with high levels of oxygen, to plant roots efficiently-such as in hydroponics. Although soilless cultivation is typically thought of as a recent technique, cultivating plants above ground in containers has been attempted numerous times throughout history. Various advancements in soilless agriculture have been driven by scientific, economic, and technological developments.

Population growth worldwide and rising living standards in many nations have increased demand for high-quality, out-of-season vegetables, high-value meals, and ornamentals. With the rise in living standards, demand for horticultural products such as cut flowers, potted plants, and bedding plants has also increased significantly. Growers had to enhance production intensity to maintain competitiveness, as protected farming has higher production costs than open-field growing. This was achieved through various strategies, chief among which is the sharp rise in soilless production relative to total agricultural crop production.

The spread of soil-borne pathogens in intensively farmed greenhouses was a major factor in the decision to abandon soil-based cultivation. The transition from soil to substrate-based growing systems was accelerated by the ban on methyl bromide, which is thought to deplete the ozone layer. Different substrates such as rock wool, polyurethane foam, perlite, and scoria (volcanic rock) have replaced soil because they are essentially free of pests and diseases due to their production processes. Additionally, these materials can be disinfested during reuse from crop to crop to eliminate any germs.

The ongoing trend toward soilless farming is also fueled by the fact that in soilless systems, it is feasible to exert greater control over key variables, significantly enhancing plant performance. Most substrates have better physical and hydraulic properties than soils. After irrigation, plants cultivated in soil have comparatively high water availability. Despite the many challenges, it is evident that this area of agriculture is expanding rapidly. Common crops grown under soilless culture include leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables, and fruits like strawberries. This book examines the details of most components currently used in soilless culture, with the aim of promoting awareness among readers and guiding them toward the most effective soilless strategies.

Idézet:? The Economics Of Soilless Production.pdf (T. Wafullah, Nekesah) (2022) (8.08 MB)

Idézet:A kódrészlet megtekintéséhez be kell jelentkezned, vagy nincs jogosultságod a tartalom megtekintéséhez.

Idézet:A kódrészlet megtekintéséhez be kell jelentkezned, vagy nincs jogosultságod a tartalom megtekintéséhez.