Soilless farming system design can determine microbial growth, impact on crops

Soilless farming—a method of growing plants in a nutrient-rich solution rather than traditional soil—accounts for a significant share of vegetable production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with more than half of tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce grown using hydroponics. This fast-growing segment of modern agriculture addresses water scarcity, land limitations and food security, but microbial management remains a challenge, according to a team of researchers at Penn State.