Evaluation of Sheep Wool as a Substrate for Hydroponic Cucumber Cultivation

The problem of the use and disposal horticultural substrates is an important element optimization plastic greenhouse production in terms economic environmental efficiency. mineral associated with a high energy expenditure, which generates costs gas (GHG) emissions. An factor also transport professional over long distances. research objective was to evaluate possibility using sheep wool create hydroponic cucumber. modifier technology various origins. experiment based on two substrates: one conventional substrate, made wool, other greasy Gissar considered waste or nuisance byproduct farming today. adopted functional unit 1 ton commercial cucumber yield. boundaries system were soil formation, fertilization, irrigation, harvesting. amount GHG emissions calculated accordance ISO 14040 14044 standards. results show that as substrate cultivation cucumbers reduced yield by approximately 8%, but it allowed for higher efficiency water fertilizer per crop mass unit. Within boundary, value carbon footprint object 276.9 kg CO2 eq · Mg?1. this parameter 193.9 did not increase phytosanitary risk cultivated plants. goal achieving sustainability, especially food production, materials are easily recyclable renewable, locally available, environmentally friendly. soilless rational solution, material consists 60% animal protein fibers, 10% fat, 15% moisture, sweat, average 5% impurities. This makes recyclable, friendly source raw contrary rockwool, produces difficult manage natural environment. In countries Central Asia, population 20 million; therefore, potential agricultural significant.