The application of a soilless culture system using artificial substrates would result in efficient and effective use of water and fertilizers and in minimizing the use of chemicals for pest and disease control, especially after the prohibition in using Methyl Bromide for soil sterilization. This technology requires extended skills and knowledge from the growers therefore the open soilless system is mainly applied due to its lower initial cost and relative simplicity, compared to the closed one. The open system can under circumstances lead to the pollution of the underground water reserves. ARI started therefore a research program to develop a closed soilless system using local inert substrates, adapted to the local conditions of Cyprus. Such a system would minimize the loss of water and fertilizers from the system as well as minimize the running cost and the pollution of the environment.