Hydroponics is a branch of hydroculture involved with growing of plants without soil but mineral nutrient solutions and water. Terrestrial plants are now grown without water, but root systems immersed in nutrient solutions. Plants need to receive water to grow well. Methods of delivering water and nutrient are many and diverse. Some major ones include hanging root systems in nutrient solutions directly, placing root systems in substrates in containers, and finally misting the roots.
When plants are suspended in substrates, the substrate acts to replace soil. There are many kinds of substrates in use today. Wood chips, rockwool, sand, sawdust, perlite, and pebbles are among major examples. Substrates need to have ability to retain water and to allow gaseous exchange for optimal growth conditions for plants. Support is provided when roots grow deep into the substrate. The benefits of this kind of agriculture have attracted farmers worldwide and research deepens. Today it is not uncommon to see a hydroponics store in the neighborhood.
This technology has a long history. Earliest publication on the technology was done in 1627 by Francis Bacon. The publication was printed after the death of Bacon and since then research in that direction increased. Several publications were done since 1699. The technology was modified severally as research continued to perfect it.
Today, solution culture and medium culture are the two key types of hydroponics in existence. Solution cultures are named so because they lack a solid medium. Medium culture have a solid medium for providing plants with support.
Further subdivision of solution cultures produces three major subgroups. These subgroups include aeroponics, static solution culture, and continuous-flow solution culture. Names for medium cultures are derived from the type of medium in use. For instance, there are gravel culture and rockwool culture. Medium and solution cultures can be divided further according to how irrigation is done. Under that criterion are top irrigation and sub-irrigation.
Hydroponic reservoirs used today are usually made from plastic material although wood, metal, vegetable solids, concrete, and glass have been used in the past. In fact, some reservoirs are still made from such materials. To avoid growth of algae, the reservoirs or containers must be placed in places where there is not light totally.
Nutrients are supplied to plants in a dissolved form. Major forms are ionic and inorganic. Hydroponic solutions are made following different recipes and usually involve combining different chemicals to attain certain compositions. Macronutrients are derived from chemicals such as potassium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate. Salts usually become over concentrated as plants deplete minerals and water. Therefore, close monitoring is necessary.
Many countries exercise this form of agriculture on a commercial scale now. Because plants receive a constant supply of nutrients and pest problems are reduced, productivity is very high. However, growth in plants may be limited by low concentration levels of CO2 and limited exposure to sunlight.
When plants are suspended in substrates, the substrate acts to replace soil. There are many kinds of substrates in use today. Wood chips, rockwool, sand, sawdust, perlite, and pebbles are among major examples. Substrates need to have ability to retain water and to allow gaseous exchange for optimal growth conditions for plants. Support is provided when roots grow deep into the substrate. The benefits of this kind of agriculture have attracted farmers worldwide and research deepens. Today it is not uncommon to see a hydroponics store in the neighborhood.
This technology has a long history. Earliest publication on the technology was done in 1627 by Francis Bacon. The publication was printed after the death of Bacon and since then research in that direction increased. Several publications were done since 1699. The technology was modified severally as research continued to perfect it.
Today, solution culture and medium culture are the two key types of hydroponics in existence. Solution cultures are named so because they lack a solid medium. Medium culture have a solid medium for providing plants with support.
Further subdivision of solution cultures produces three major subgroups. These subgroups include aeroponics, static solution culture, and continuous-flow solution culture. Names for medium cultures are derived from the type of medium in use. For instance, there are gravel culture and rockwool culture. Medium and solution cultures can be divided further according to how irrigation is done. Under that criterion are top irrigation and sub-irrigation.
Hydroponic reservoirs used today are usually made from plastic material although wood, metal, vegetable solids, concrete, and glass have been used in the past. In fact, some reservoirs are still made from such materials. To avoid growth of algae, the reservoirs or containers must be placed in places where there is not light totally.
Nutrients are supplied to plants in a dissolved form. Major forms are ionic and inorganic. Hydroponic solutions are made following different recipes and usually involve combining different chemicals to attain certain compositions. Macronutrients are derived from chemicals such as potassium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate. Salts usually become over concentrated as plants deplete minerals and water. Therefore, close monitoring is necessary.
Many countries exercise this form of agriculture on a commercial scale now. Because plants receive a constant supply of nutrients and pest problems are reduced, productivity is very high. However, growth in plants may be limited by low concentration levels of CO2 and limited exposure to sunlight.
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