Soilless agriculture is acknowledged worldwide because it uses organic leftovers as a means of supporting intensive and efficient plant production. However, the quality of potting media deteriorates because of lower nutrient content and excessive shrinkage of most organic materials. A current study was undertaken to identify the optimal blend of locally available organic materials with desirable qualities for use as potting media. Therefore, different ingredients, viz., Pinus roxburghii needles, sugarcane bagasse, and farmyard manure were used alone or in combination as potting media to test their suitability by growing spinach as a test crop. Results showed that an increase in Pinus roxburghii needles and sugarcane bagasse decreased medium pH and electrical conductivity. Higher pH and electrical conductivity were recorded for the treatments having a higher farmyard manure ratio (≥50%) in combination. Except for pine needles 100%, pH and electrical conductivity were in the recommended range. The growth attributes include, leaves plant^-1, shoot length, fresh- and dry shoot weight along with plant macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) and micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) content were higher in treatment pine needles 50%+farmyard manure 50% followed by pine needles 25%+farmyard manure 50%+sugarcane bagasse 25%. Moreover, the particular treatment of pine needles 50%+farmyard manure 50% exhibited the highest concentrations of macro- (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) in the potting media following the harvest. This study highlights the potential of utilizing agro-industrial litter/waste as a soilless growing medium for spinach production under greenhouse conditions. When employed in appropriate proportions, this approach not only addresses disposal concerns but also proves effective for sustainable cultivation. Further research is needed to investigate the use of these wastes as potting media by mixing various particle-size ingredients.

Medicinal hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has gained global attention due to its high-value phytocannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which exhibit significant therapeutic potential. Protected cultivation offers a climate-resilient and sustainable strategy to optimize hemp production by controlling environmental factors, ensuring year-round supply, and improving quality attributes. This paper outlines the key principles and technologies for protected hemp cultivation, including light spectrum management, temperature and humidity control, CO₂ enrichment, nutrient and water management, pest and disease suppression, and post-harvest handling techniques. Advanced greenhouse and indoor production systems enable precise regulation of microclimate, reduce crop losses, and enhance cannabinoid and terpene profiles compared to open-field production. The integration of smart technologies and autonomous control systems can further enhance operational efficiency and consistency. The paper concludes that protected cultivation systems represent an effective approach to overcome climatic uncertainties and meeting the increasing demand for medicinal hemp production on sustainable grounds.