Soilless Culture—An Intensive Production Method on Its Way to Sustainability

Abstract

Preface Soilless Culture Systems (SCSs) have been in use commercially for the last 40 years, and now many variations of these systems are available. The primary benefit of SCSs is that they save water and fertilizers, and the surplus water can be reused by the grower or in a cascade system in other crops. This system helps to promote the sustainable use of water and fertilizers. The next step in this process, highlighted in this Reprint, is the use of microorganisms to increase the resilience of plants against pests and diseases, thus reducing the need for chemicals. Additionally, organic growing media/plant substrates will increase further. SCSs are moving towards sustainable agriculture with both high-tech and low-tech methods. It is encouraging to see researchers worldwide embracing this cultivation method to take sustainable steps forward. As editors, we are pleased to have had the opportunity to cooperate and stimulate this development towards sustainable agriculture. We hope that many growers will apply the methods investigated here and that many researchers will continue to develop and improve SCSs. This reprint comprises 11 original contributions and an editorial written by 45 authors from 10 countries. The numbers differ slightly from what was reported in the editorial, as the editorial was written before the last article was published. The cover picture illustrates sustainability with a soilless tomato crop. The old leaves on the floor provide a habitat for beneficial predators to eliminate harmful pests.