Crop production in greenhouse hydroponics is expanding due to sustainability—minimal substrate and water, full recirculation—but faces challenges from climate change and 2027/2050 zero-emission & pesticide targets. Leafy growers report crop collapses (up to 75% yield loss) when recirculating linked to root diseases and stress. To prevent losses, growers dump water and fertilizers after cultivation. The project—growers, companies and researchers—develops a resilient hydroponic system for year-round production with zero-emissions, biological crop protection, and efficient resource use. The know-how can extend to other crops, strengthening the Dutch sector and contributing by 2050 to clean water, healthy food and a biodiverse environment.

The goal of this project is to develop a resilient, recirculating hydroponic system for year-round production of
leafy crops where root problems are managed with zero emissions, chemical pesticide-free strategies and
efficient use of resources. A multidisciplinary consortium of companies and growers will collaborate to (i)
understand the main causes of the root-related crop collapses, (ii) identify biological-based
techniques/measures that build resilience and (iii) develop an integrated management approach supported by
a decision-support system for efficient, timely action.

The main results of this project are:
- A clear understanding of what drives crop collapse vs. stability in recirculating hydroponic systems,
translated into empirical evidence and mechanistic insights into the crop collapse.
- An inventory of effective chemical crop protection-free techniques and measures, and
recommendations for integrated strategies that prevent root-related collapses and support continuous
recirculation and beneficial microbes.
- An understanding of some of the resiliency mechanisms against root-related collapses in recirculating
hydroponic systems.
- Demonstrated performance of the best integrated strategies under semi-commercial conditions, with
guidance for optimization and scaling-up for commercial implementation.
- A prototype for a decision support system (DSS) to support growers and service-providers with realtime monitoring of key indicators and decision-making to prevent crop collapses efficiently.
- Transferable know-how: methods, prototype and techniques can extend beyond the growers in the
consortia. Most of the hydroponic leafy growers (NL and world) are clients of the consortia companies
in this project. Know-how from the results can also extend to other crops beyond leafy crops
strengthening the Dutch greenhouse sector overall: growers, technology and supply companies, serviceproviders, and innovators.