S06 - Session O6 - Keynote: The future of soilless growing media in a growing world

Authors: Brian Jackson *

The cultivation of horticultural crops in soilless growing systems continues to increase around the globe. With this increase comes an unpresented demand for innovations in soilless growing media and soilless growing systems. The increase in soilless production is being fueled by many variables including innovations in controlled environment agriculture, the necessity to feed an ever-growing population, the need to decrease poverty and hunger in many parts of the world, the transition of many traditionally field-grown crops to soilless growing systems, the drive for more sustainable and precision-driven crop production practices, the need for increased food safety and security, as well numerous others. Substrate scientists in both the public and private sectors are working together to solve current and future production problems as well as creating innovative solutions and opportunities that will propel soilless cultivation into the future. A summary of global efforts and initiatives will be discussed regarding what challenges and opportunities we face now, and in the future, to meet the demand for increased plant production in soilless systems. Topics discussed will include the current and future role of peat in horticulture, development and adoption of alternative growing media components, sustainability and renewability of growing media, life cycle analysis and circularity, and advances in novel growing systems and practices that continue to improve the efficiency and economics of soilless growing.