The world’s production in the cultivation of strawberries has multiplied exponentially in the last decade. Europe has seen the most significant expansion, accounting for 47.7% of the world’s production, followed by Northern and Central America with 29.40%. This surge is driven by the increasing demand for strawberries, a fruit rich in vitamin C, comparable to citrus fruits.
In Spain, around 93 to 95% of strawberry production is concentrated in the province of Huelva. Most of this production is destined for European markets, which are increasingly demanding in terms of production conditions and techniques. These must aim for efficient resource use and minimize environmental impact.
Hydroponics for Strawberries: A Sustainable Solution
One of the main crops grown using hydroponics is the strawberry. The semi-hydroponic system, which involves growing plants in soil with hydroponic techniques, has become popular among family farmers in small areas. This method meets the need for crop rotation and addresses the demands of modern agriculture.
Advantages of Hydroponics for Strawberries
Hydroponic systems, particularly elevated hydroponic systems, offer numerous benefits for strawberry cultivation:
- Pest and Disease Reduction: Growing strawberries in protected areas reduces the incidence of pests and diseases.
- Increased Production: Elevated hydroponic systems allow for earlier production dates and higher yields per square meter.
- Resource Efficiency: These systems optimize water and nutrient use, reducing waste and over-exploitation of resources.
- Environmental Benefits: Hydroponics minimizes soil and water contamination through leaching and eliminates the need for soil disinfection and deep fertilization.
- Improved Working Conditions: Elevated systems facilitate easier harvesting, reducing labor costs by at least 50%.
Challenges of Traditional Methods
Traditional strawberry cultivation methods face several challenges:
- Water and Nutrient Management: Inefficient use of water and nutrients leads to high costs and resource over-exploitation.
- Environmental Control: Simple protective structures offer little control over environmental conditions.
- Labor Issues: Growing plants at the soil level creates labor challenges and results in low yields.
Innovative Hydroponic Systems
Super-intensive high-technology systems, such as the lifting hydroponic system, maximize production and resource use. These systems can support up to 200,000 plants per hectare, improving performance and cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion
The growing interest in strawberries has driven the development of new tools and production systems. Hydroponic elevated systems enable producers to be more efficient regarding quality and production rates. These systems also address labor shortages and environmental concerns, making hydroponics for strawberries a sustainable and profitable choice for modern agriculture.
