This collection reviews current research on optimising substrates for soilless cultivation and assesses recent advances in technologies, such as fertigation systems and process control. Case studies on a range of horticultural crops feature throughout as a means of depicting examples of practical application.

Soilless Culture - Use of Substrates for the Production of Quality Horticultural Crops provides useful information on the techniques of growing horticultural crops using either inert organic or inorganic substrates and also on use of substrates consisting locally available and inexpensive materials with adequate physical and chemical properties. The contents mainly includes influence of different substrates on horticultural crops grown under soilless culture, production of vegetables and ornamental crops in water shortage area, comparative evaluation of commercial inert substrate used for growing high value horticultural crops. In this book, interesting researches from around the world are brought together to produce a resource for teachers, researcher, and advanced students of biological science.

Plant production in hydroponics and soilless culture is rapidly expanding throughout the world, raising a great interest in the scientific community. For the first time in an authoritative reference book, authors cover both theoretical and practical aspects of hydroponics (growing plants without the use of soil). This reference book covers the state-of-the-art in this area, while offering a clear view of supplying plants with nutrients other than soil. Soilless Culture provides the reader with an understanding of the properties of the various soiless media and how these properties affect plant performance in relation to basic horticultural operations, such as irrigation and fertilization. This book is ideal for agronomists, horticulturalists, greenhouse and nursery managers, extension specialists, and people involved with the production of plants. * Comprehensive discussion of hydroponic systems, irrigation, and control measures allows readers to achieve optimal performance* State-of-the-art book on all theoretical aspects of hydroponics and soilless culture including a thorough description of the root system, its functions and limitation posed by restricted root volume* Critical and updated reviews of current analytical methods and how to translate their results to irrigation and fertilization practices * Definitive chapters on recycled, no-discharge systems including salinity and nutrition management and pathogen eradication * Up-to-date description of all important types of growing media

Greenhouse horticulture is one of the most intensive agricultural systems, focusing on the production of high-value products. This book presents current research findings that cover a wide range of new technologies and novel agricultural practices, which are preconditions for successful production in a very competitive global environment.

Hydroponics, the method of growing plants without soil, presents a feasible alternative to conventional farming in areas which are short on water supply and limited in agricultural soil. This book will serve as an indispensable guide for students in the agriculture sciences, for agriculture instructors and soilless-culture farmers. It provides up-to-date information on optimal plant nutrition, deficiencies and toxicities of nutrients, plant growth media, optimal root environment, environmental control, carbon dioxide requirements, saline conditions and use of sewage in soilless culture. Other topics include economic aspects of hydroponics, new growth methods and an outlook for the future.

Due to the world's increasing population, the demand for food is rapidly growing. There is a real concern that we are headed toward a food crisis. Land for farming is dwindling, leading to the need to develop alternative production methods. One of the most promising is soilless agriculture, which refers to growing crops, particularly horticultural crops, in different growing media or in substrates other than soil (substrate culture) or in aerated nutrient solutions (water culture). The primary advantage of soilless agriculture is that it is independent of the negative effects of climate change and chemical pollution (temperature and soil intensity variations, drought, salinity, soil degradation, low biodiversity, toxicity, and diseases). This book presents up-to-date information on soilless culture types, how to manage plant nutrition, fertilizer use, organic cultivation, plant diseases and plant protection in soilless agriculture, the use of smart agricultural tools, the evaluation of carbon and water footprint, and the economic aspects of soilless agriculture.

Soilless Culture - Use of Substrates for the Production of Quality Horticultural Crops provides useful information on the techniques of growing horticultural crops using either inert organic or inorganic substrates and also on use of substrates consisting locally available and inexpensive materials with adequate physical and chemical properties. The contents mainly includes influence of different substrates on horticultural crops grown under soilless culture, production of vegetables and ornamental crops in water shortage area, comparative evaluation of commercial inert substrate used for growing high value horticultural crops. In this book, interesting researches from around the world are brought together to produce a resource for teachers, researcher, and advanced students of biological science.