Environmental analysis of soilless tomato production in a high-tech greenhouse

Soilless farming systems are currently considered a viable production technique reducing environmental impacts due to use of chemical factors, soil and water This study analysed the first high-tech hydroponic greenhouse in Southern Italy, using a Life Cycle Assessment approach. The environmental performances of equipped with automated systems for monitoring the growth environment (high-tech) and soil based without automation of climate and lighting (low-tech) greenhouses were compared. The analysis of high-tech greenhouse was based on primary data from field surveys. For low-tech greenhouse, secondary data from literature were used. The system boundary was from ‘cradle-to-farm-gate’, the functional unit 1 ha of cultivated area. Soil-based cultivation had the highest overall environmental impacts primarily attributable to consumption of fossil fuel and the fertilisers. The results showed that in the high-tech greenhouse, the use of renewable energy and soilless closed-loop cultivation system electronically controlled and managed, significantly reduced the environmental burden. Results suggest solution for the expansion of greenhouse farming improving their environmental performances by renewable energy and closed-loop systems. This study regarding an advanced and almost unique reality is suitable to be reapplied in any context vocated to greenhouses vegetable farming with the foresight to appropriately complement it by economic and social assessments.