Hydroponics gaining ground in Huelva strawberries
Source: HD.com
"That's why the air-to-water balance within the substrate matters so much, especially in wet seasons like this one." © Pelemix When it comes to coir specifically, Javier explains that the physical behavior of the substrate depends largely on the balance between coarse and fine particles: the coarser fraction promotes aeration and drainage, while the finer fraction retains more moisture. "That's why many growers aren't turning to hydroponics because it's fashionable, they're doing it because they need to start the season with a healthier root system and a more controlled environment." In his view, one of the main advantages of substrate cultivation is precisely this ability to begin each season on a clean, fresh medium, reducing the disease pressure that has built up in the soil over time and allowing the plant to develop a less compromised root system from the outset.
"In hydroponics, the drainage comes out at specific points, you can collect it, measure it, and analyze it, which gives you a much clearer picture of how the root system is functioning and how the plant is responding." "Monitoring parameters such as electrical conductivity and pH, combined with the gradual introduction of rapid tools for measuring specific ions, is making it possible to fine-tune nutrient solutions with increasing precision and to respond more quickly to deviations, something especially valuable in seasons where the margin for error is considerably reduced." © Pelemix Uniformity as a commercial advantage Many soil-grown growers are capable of achieving highly competitive yields through specialized agronomic management, Javier notes; however, where hydroponic cultivation consistently shows a clear difference is in production uniformity and commercial predictability. The fiber composition, the fine fraction, the washing, the buffering, and even the salts the material may contain all vary, and many times certain nutritional problems are not linked back to the substrate because people assume 'coir is coir.'" Another frequent mistake occurs when a grower applies the same irrigation logic used in soil to a hydroponic system, without adapting their management to a much more sensitive and reactive setup.
And when the climate becomes unpredictable, having greater control over the root zone, drainage, irrigation, and nutrition becomes a very significant advantage." Within that adaptation strategy, the development of purpose-built solutions, such as those designed by Pelemix, aims precisely to tailor substrate behavior to the specific needs of each farm. Related Articles "Make sure your hygiene protocol does not destroy your greenhouse!" A "new era for strawberry production" Hydroponics gaining ground in Huelva strawberries Live demo sessions snack tomato harvesting robot startedc “Dehumidification is a logical next step in the evolution of our facility” Related Articles Listening to how plants talk, scream and cry Light4Food is much more than lights for food Phenospex and INperfektion collaborate on modular plant phenotyping solution "It functions as a temporary photosynthetic source restoring vegetative vigor and stability in the upper canopy" Can AI improve the flavor and aroma of strawberries?
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
