Hydroponic Cultivation of Vine Leaves with Reduced Carbon Footprint in a Mediterranean Greenhouse

Vine leaves are considered a delicacy food however they only produced as byproduct for short harvest period due to grape cultivation practices and numerous chemical applications. In this work, vine plants were cultivated hydroponically in greenhouse, extend the along with high plant density, maximize fresh yield. Four different substrates tested—Perlite, Perlite-Attapulgite, Perlite-Zeolite, 1.7Perlite-higher density planting—with soil treatment control, experimental lasted total of about seven months year 2021. Quantitative qualitative characteristics such number weight, color leaves, nitrates, photosynthetic parameters, phenols, nutrient concentrations assessed, while product’s environmental impact was calculated. The 1.7Perlite 1.6–2.0 times higher per hectare than other hydroponic treatments 8.7 treatment, no statistically significant differences found regarding characteristics. Consequently, 1.7P resulted 1.4 7.6 lower product carbon footprint compared treatments. future research, water retention will be further studied year-round production heated greenhouse full climate control so that kept evergreen.