SPECIAL PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN SOILLESS CULTURES AND SUBSTRATE CULTURES

In West-European agriculture and horticulture, cultivation systems and techniques have changed considerably over the last decades. There is an evolution in the concepts of 'garden' - 'horticulture' - 'horticultural growing'.

As a result of e.g. less suitable soil conditions and monocultures, there is an explosive growth in the application of hydroponics and substrate cultures. We try to bridge unusual production periods and circumstances by means of container cultures, drip irrigation, fertigation and other computer-controlled production methods. However, the intensive character of these new production techniques has led to totally new issues and problems.