European Consortium Completes Six Hydroponic Trials with Corn Lettuce and Spinach
A multi-company hydroponics research initiative reported six trials examining irrigation, growing media and crop performance in Belgium.
According to HortiDaily on October 29, 2026, the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium completed an initial phase of six trials involving corn lettuce and spinach. The consortium is coordinated by Cultivators with Harvestis and other industry contributors, aiming to develop practical knowledge for commercial hydroponic leafy-green production.
Trial activities in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium, used a high-density sleeve arrangement integrated into a mobile gutter growing system. The researchers compared cultivation conditions and approaches involving substrates, irrigation management, crop varieties and plant development. The first phase began with corn lettuce and later expanded to spinach.
The article reports the program’s scope and the subjects tested but does not supply a complete dataset demonstrating a particular yield or energy advantage. It should therefore be described as an applied research milestone, not proof that one method has already outperformed another commercially. The approach is relevant to growers selecting irrigation strategies, propagation media and high-density hydroponic systems.
Original source: HortiDaily, 2026-10-29. https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9887463/exploring-the-future-of-hydroponic-leafy-greens/