The part of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) produced using protected cultures and substrates is continuously increasing. Substrate-based production has many advantages such as prevention of soilborne diseases and decrease labor, i.e. increase of picking speed, when using tabletop systems. Currently, most substrates are manufactured using peat and/or coconut coir. Peat is considered non-renewable (or very slowly renewable) and the exploitation of peatlands contributes to the increase of concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere and to the loss of biodiversity. Coconut coir is produced mainly in India and Sri Lanka and therefore requires long-distance transportation. The goal of this project was to develop substrates for strawberry production using renewable organic materials.
