Dear Colleagues,

Over the last fifteen years, the worldwide area destined to hydroponics production has been increased considerably. At the moment, it is considered about more than 35.000 hectares is used for hydroponics production. Nowadays soilless culture and hydroponics are the most intensive methods of vegetable production. Generally demand high technology and the investment of considerable amounts of money, and has being applied successfully for commercial purposes in developed countries. The future increase of hydroponics usage in Latin America and other related countries will depend on the development and adaptation of less sophisticated production systems - opposite to the sophisticated technology generated in developed countries – the use of natural and local substrates and the growth of endemic or native crops with economic potential due to their high nutritious and medicinal value; among other factors.

The considerable decrease of agricultural areas makes soilless culture and hydroponics an interesting alternative to produce in regions where it is not possible to crop with traditional agriculture. In addition to the commercial purposes for which hydroponics is being used, it can also be applied with social purposes, using simple technologies in many cities; to promote vegetable self-consumption and generate high productivity at familiar, communal or micro-enterprise level, contributing to improve the nutritional content of the food and the economics of the people in marginal areas. This social experience of hydroponics is little well known in developed countries. For this reason, this event will serve not only to give an idea of its economic potential, but also of the social and educational benefits that hydroponics can offer for many countries.

This will be the first event that will take place in the Region with the sponsoring of the ISHS through their Plant Substrate and Soilless Culture and Protected Cultivation Commissions. This event will allow us to know the potential and the advantages of the results of scientific research and will provide the possibility to exchange experiences between research centers, institutions, researchers, producers, students and companies related to the industry of soilless culture between countries of the North and South hemisphere. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is a great pleasure for us to invite you to participate in the International Symposium on Soilless Culture and Hydroponics to be held in Lima, Peru. Welcome to Peru!

Alfredo Rodríguez-Delfín
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru