Impacts of protected vegetable cultivation on climate change and adaptation strategies for cleaner production – A review

Increasing Sustainability of Growing Media Constituents and Stand-Alone Substrates in Soilless Culture Systems

“…However, even if the heated protected cultivation systems present a good opportunity to move from soil to SCS, we do not have to associate SCS only with heated greenhouses. The specific features along the entire production system in these structures include the large amount of energy consumption for heating during the cold season, artificial lighting, the greenhouse structure itself [35], the use of fertilizer and growing media [7], postharvest transport, and packaging [36]. The equipment of SCS contribute to some degree to an increase of the energy needed together with growing media used in these systems.…”

“…This is due to the inherent space, nutrient, and water use efficiencies of this production method; all of which are higher than soil-grown crops [9]. At present, life cycle analysis (LCA) is used for the classification of growing media constituents, based on their environmental impact and sustainability, environmental protection, and the application of "green technologies" for their production [7,16]. Mugnozza et al [43] determined, using LCA, that soilless cultivation reduced the environmental impact by more than double, due to lower levels of fertilizers and pesticides emitted to the environment, compared to soil cultivation.…”

“…Recently, Kraska et al [124] found that cucumbers and tomatoes grown on different stand-alone Miscanthus substrates, such as shreds, chips, and fibers, obtained comparable cumulative yields to rockwool. Generally, by using rockwool alternative substrates, the plant cultivation technology has to be adapted to the growing medium's properties [7].…”

“…These disadvantages will be predominately in warmer regions worldwide. Therefore, besides securing sufficient water, it will become increasingly important to improve the use efficiency of this resource [6][7][8]. Water, as a valuable resource, can be used more efficiently in protected vegetable production, which is considered less dependent on weather conditions than open field production, because micro-climates can be manipulated [6,7].…”

“…Of all organic materials, peat is the most used substrate constituent in horticulture [7]. The leading peat-production countries are Finland, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Belarus, Canada, and Russia, which account for 80% of the world's production.…”