Significance of Soilless Culture in Agriculture

Although we normally think about soilless culture as a modern practice, growing plants in containers aboveground has been tried at various times throughout the ages. The Egyptians did it almost 4000 years ago. Wall paintings found in the temple of Deir el Bahari (Naville 1913) showed what appears to be the first documented case of container-grown plants (Fig. 1.1). They were used to transfer mature trees from their native countries of origin to the king’s palace and then to be grown this way when local soils were not suitable for the particular plant. It is not known what type of growing medium was used to fill the containers, but since they were shown as being carried by porters over large distances, it is possible that materials used were lighter than pure soil. Starting in the seventeenth century, plants were moved around, especially from the Far and Middle East to Europe to be grown in orangeries, in order to supply aesthetic value, and rare fruits and vegetables to wealthy people. An orangery is ‘a sheltered place, especially a greenhouse, used for the cultivation of orange trees