High-performance growing media for vertical agriculture in Northern environment

High-performance growing media are needed to develop vertical farming for Northern and remote communities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of three edible plants (lettuce, endive and Chinese cabbage) grown on 10 growing media (combination of conventional materials; coir and peat) combined or not with three soil amendments (biochar, worm-casting and biostimulants). A pot experiment using a randomized complete block design with four replicates was conducted in a greenhouse located at Agassiz Research and Development Centre (Canada) in collaboration with ARO, The Volcani Center (Israel). Parameters measured were the growing media physico-chemical properties as well as their biological properties and plant performance (e.g. fresh and dry plant biomass, yield, nutrient content, SPAD, Fm/Fv). Results will be discussed in terms of the most promising growing media adapted to vertical farming and practices for sustainable management of water and fertilizers. The outcomes of this study regarding the (1) fulfilment of consumers’ demands for local and healthy food especially for remote community, (2) the contribution to the economic development and resource conservation in Canada and Israel, and (3) the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and fertilizer leaching into the environment, helping to minimize the environmental footprint of food production and mitigate impacts of climate change, will be discussed.