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\"Soilless cultivation techniques (including hydroponic systems) have attracted growing attention as a way of growing horticultural crops more efficiently without taking up more land. These controlled environment systems are also less vulnerable to climate change and are particularly suited to urban farming as part of the shift to more localised, circular food systems. This collection reviews the wealth of recent research on optimising soilless systems so they can make a significant contribution to more sustainable, 'climate-smart' food production. Part 1 of this collection reviews research on optimising substrates for soilless cultivation. Chapters discuss advances in understanding root nutrient and water uptake and the range of substrates for soilless cultivation, in particular renewable alternatives to common materials such as peat. The book also assesses ways of optimising the physical, chemical and biological properties of substrate materials as well as nutrient formulations to feed crops. Part 2 assesses advances in both solid and liquid-medium container systems as well as technologies such as fertigation systems, modelling and process control. Chapters also cover advances in pest and disease management as well as trends in vertical farming systems. The final part of the books includes case studies on a range of horticultural crops such as tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce and ornamentals\"--

This research paper emphasizes the growing importance of Allium Cepa (Onions)–a medicinal plant, as a safe and effective alternative to conventional medicinal therapies for both humans and livestock. The increasing concerns over the high costs and side effects of traditional treatments have shifted attention towards herbal medicine, known for its minimal side effects and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, cultivating Onions promotes public health and contributes to economic growth through responsible cultivation and use. The widespread use of machine learning in smart hydroponics is also explained in the manuscript. The study introduces the 'Smart Hydro Kit,' an innovative and compact device designed to monitor and automate the environmental conditions for the hydroponic cultivation of Onions, enhancing sustainability. The performance of onion shoots and bulbs cultivated through hydroponics is compared with soil-based methods using various qualitative and quantitative metrics. Results demonstrate that hydroponic cultivation significantly outperforms soil cultivation. The findings are further validated using the ‘AquaCrop’ simulation tool.

Rapid development of hydroponic farming which is soilless cultivation method of growing plant using mineral nutrient solution dissolved in water produces large amount of wastewater rich in nutrients and organic matters thus imposes great harms to human and environment, if the waste nutrient solution is not correctly treated. The objective of this review is to present information concerning hydroponic systems, including: the different classes and methods of operation; advantages and drawbacks and the recent approaches and development in hydroponic wastewater treatments. Particular emphasis has been placed on removal of root exudates from reused waste nutrient solution in closed system. The reviewed technologies for nutrient removal or recovery include denitrification, microalgae cultivation, constructed wetlands and activated carbon methods. The alternatives byproducts i.e. biogas as agriculture fertilizer for hydroponic cultivation to attain sustainable agriculture was further highlighted. In addition, current challenges and future prospects in this field are carried out. About 118 published studies are reviewed in this paper. It is evident from the literature survey articles that activated carbon is the most frequently studied for the nutrient recovery of hydroponic wastewater.

Hydroponic root mats (HRMs) are ecotechnological wastewater treatment systems where aquatic vegetation forms buoyant filters by their dense interwoven roots and rhizomes, sometimes supported by rafts or other floating materials. A preferential hydraulic flow is created in the water zone between the plant root mat and the bottom of the treatment system. When the mat touches the bottom of the water body, such systems can also function as HRM filter; i.e. the hydraulic flow passes directly through the root zone. HRMs have been used for the treatment of various types of polluted water, including domestic wastewater; agricultural effluents; and polluted river, lake, stormwater and groundwater and even acid mine drainage. This article provides an overview on the concept of applying floating HRM and non-floating HRM filters for wastewater treatment. Exemplary performance data are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of this technology are discussed in comparison to those of ponds, free-floating plant and soil-based constructed wetlands. Finally, suggestions are provided on the preferred scope of application of HRMs.

Efficient management of soil nutrients is essential for optimizing crop production, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, and addressing the challenges posed by population growth and environmental degradation. Smart agriculture, using advanced technologies, plays an important role in achieving these goals by enabling real-time monitoring and precision management of nutrients. In open-field soil cultivation, spatial variability in soil properties demands site-specific nutrient management and integration with variable-rate technology (VRT) to optimize fertilizer application, reduce nutrient losses, and enhance crop yields. Hydroponic solution cultivation, on the other hand, requires precise monitoring and control of nutrient solutions to maintain optimal conditions for plant growth, ensuring efficient use of water and fertilizers. This review aims to explore recent trends in soil and solution nutrient sensing technologies for open-field soil and facilitated hydroponic cultivation, highlighting advancements that promote efficiency and sustainability. Key technologies include electrochemical and optical sensors, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring, and the integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive modeling. Blockchain technology is also emerging as a tool to enhance transparency and traceability in nutrient management, promoting compliance with environmental standards and sustainable practices. In open-field soil cultivation, real-time sensing technologies support targeted nutrient application by accounting for spatial variability, minimizing environmental risks such as runoff and eutrophication. In hydroponic solution cultivation, precise solution sensing ensures nutrient balance, optimizing plant health and productivity. By advancing these technologies, smart agriculture can achieve sustainable crop production, improved resource efficiency, and environmental protection, fostering a resilient food system.

Aquaponics, a combination of fish farming and soilless plant farming, is growing in popularity and gaining attention as an important and potentially more sustainable method of food production. The aim of this study was to document and analyze the production methods, experiences, motivations, and demographics of aquaponics practitioners in the United States (US) and internationally. The survey was distributed online using a chain sampling method that relied on referrals from initial respondents, with 809 respondents meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of respondents were from the US (80%), male (78%), and had at least a high school degree (91%). The mean age of respondents was 47±13 years old. Most respondents (52%) had three years or less of aquaponics experience. Respondents typically raised tilapia or ornamental fish and a variety of leafy green vegetables, herbs, and fruiting crops. Respondents were most often motivated to become involved in aquaponics to grow their own food, for environmental sustainability reasons, and for personal health reasons. Many respondents employed more than one method to raise crops, and used alternative or environmentally sustainable sources of energy, water, and fish feed. In general, our findings suggest that aquaponics is a dynamic and rapidly growing field with participants who are actively experimenting with and adopting new technologies. Additional research and outreach is needed to evaluate and communicate best practices within the field. This survey is the first large-scale effort to track aquaponics in the US and provides information that can better inform policy, research, and education efforts regarding aquaponics as it matures and possibly evolves into a mainstream form of agriculture.

Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), a widely cultivated leafy green, is valued for its rich content of bioactive compounds, including folates, vitamins, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of amino acid supplementation on the growth and nutrient content of hydroponically grown lettuce. A greenhouse experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) was conducted, with three replications and three plants per replication. There were 4 treatments (T 0 (Control), T 1 (Methionine 20 mg/L), T 2 (Tryptophan 220 mg/L, T 3 (Glycine 200 mg/L) of this experiment Growth parameters, including biomass, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area, were measured four weeks after transplantation. L-methionine supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in plant growth, with a 23.60% increase in biomass and a 31.41% increase in leaf area. Conversely, L-tryptophan treatment led to substantial reductions in growth, including a 98.78% decrease in biomass. Nutrient analysis revealed that amino acid treatments, especially methionine, enhanced the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in leaf tissues. These results suggest that L-methionine has a positive effect on both growth and nutrient uptake in hydroponic lettuce, while L-tryptophan and L-glycine negatively affect plant development. The differential responses to amino acid treatments may be attributed to their distinct roles in plant metabolism, with methionine enhancing sulfur-containing compounds and proteins essential for growth, while tryptophan and glycine could disrupt metabolic pathways. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and evaluate the optimal amino acid concentrations for maximizing hydroponic lettuce production and nutrient density.

Background Plants that accumulate metal and metalloid trace elements to extraordinarily high concentrations in their living biomass have inspired much research worldwide during the last decades. Hyperaccumulators have been recorded and experimentally confirmed for elements such as nickel, zinc, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and selenium. However, to date, hyperaccumulation of lead, copper, cobalt, chromium and thallium remain largely unconfirmed. Recent uses of the term in relation to rare-earth elements require critical evaluation. Scope Since the mid-1970s the term 'hyperaccumulator' has been used millions of times by thousands of people, with varying degrees of precision, aptness and understanding that have not always corresponded with the views of the originators of the terminology and of the present authors. There is therefore a need to clarify the circumstances in which the term 'hyperaccumulator' is appropriate and to set out the conditions that should be met when the terms are used. We outline here the main considerations for establishing metal or metalloid hyperaccumulation status of plants, (re) defme some of the terminology and note potential pitfalls. Conclusions Unambiguous communication will require the international scientific community to adopt standard terminology and methods for confirming the reliability of analytical data in relation to metal and metalloid hyperaccumulators.

Source-to-sink transport of sucrose is one of the major determinants of plant growth. Whole-plant carbohydrates’ partitioning requires the specific activity of membrane sugar transporters. In Arabidopsis thaliana plants, two families of transporters are involved in sucrose transport: AtSUCs and AtSWEETs. This study is focused on the comparison of sucrose transporter gene expression, soluble sugar and starch levels and long distance sucrose transport, in leaves and sink organs (mainly roots) in different physiological conditions (along the plant life cycle, during a diel cycle, and during an osmotic stress) in plants grown hydroponically. In leaves, the AtSUC2, AtSWEET11, and 12 genes known to be involved in phloem loading were highly expressed when sucrose export was high and reduced during osmotic stress. In roots, AtSUC1 was highly expressed and its expression profile in the different conditions tested suggests that it may play a role in sucrose unloading in roots and in root growth. The SWEET transporter genes AtSWEET12, 13, and 15 were found expressed in all organs at all stages studied, while differential expression was noticed for AtSWEET14 in roots, stems, and siliques and AtSWEET9, 10 expressions were only detected in stems and siliques. A role for these transporters in carbohydrate partitioning in different source–sink status is proposed, with a specific attention on carbon demand in roots. During development, despite trophic competition with others sinks, roots remained a significant sink, but during osmotic stress, the amount of translocated [U-¹⁴C]-sucrose decreased for rosettes and roots. Altogether, these results suggest that source–sink relationship may be linked with the regulation of sucrose transporter gene expression.