Work

Soilless Agriculture at a Crossroads: Strengths, Challenges, and Prospects of Hydroponics, Aquaponics, and Bioponics in Relation to Precision Farming

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In the face of escalating global challenges, including climate change, food insecurity, freshwater scarcity, soil degradation, and rapid urbanization, soilless farming systems, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and bioponics, have emerged as innovative and sustainable farming solutions. Combined with precision agriculture technologies, these systems enable real-time optimization of inputs through smart sensors, automation, and predictive modeling, significantly reducing resource consumption while improving crop yields. This review provides a unique contribution by integrating and comparing the three major soilless systems within a single framework and by highlighting, for the first time, their potential synergies with precision agriculture. It critically examines soilless cultivation systems and their relationship with precision agriculture, assessing the agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits as well as the main challenges, including high initial costs, high energy consumption, the complexity of managing biological inputs, the lack of standardized protocols, and limited accessibility for small-scale producers. The review highlights the need to integrate renewable energy sources, develop biodegradable substrates, apply life cycle assessment methodologies, and implement adequate training and regulatory frameworks to promote wider adoption and sustainability.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18010064

Authors: Mohammed Elakrouch, Marouane Mohaddab, Ahmed Rachid, Mohamed Haissam Jijakli

Institutions: University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université Hassan 1er, Laboratoire des technologies innovantes, Université de Picardie Jules Verne

Language: English

Topic: Innovations in Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems

Subfield: Aquatic Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896