"We started about 4 years ago to experiment with growing strawberries on a substrate of only water without soil," says Gabriel Talker, 43, founder and CEO of a company that produces hydroponic systems.
"We have developed a unique protocol that allows us to control the flavors of the strawberry. The sweetness of the strawberry can be increased up to 25% and it gives it a much better taste than we are used to," says Talker, founder and CEO of Ariel Global Links. The company, which produces unique hydroponic systems adapted to growing leafy vegetables, spices, strawberries, kohlrabi and other vegetables, is located near Poriya Ilit.
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On Monday, the Israel Green Economy Conference opened in Airport City, and Talker is scheduled to present the new development at the conference.
"Since I can control the salinity of the water in which I water the strawberries, I can immediately affect the sweetness of the fruit. When I use normal water and add salt to it, I can achieve a sweeter fruit," he explains.
Talker qualifies that "this growing method is not suitable for trees that require soil to grow in, it is suitable for vegetables that can be grown on a substrate of water only. You can grow about 40,000 strawberry seedlings on an acre, with a yield of 32 tons per growing cycle."
"I assume that from next season it will be possible to purchase strawberries grown on my system," Talker concluded.