Soil is an essential source of nutrients and minerals for growing plants. Also, it is responsible for facilitating gaseous exchange between the atmospheres and roots and helps to protect plants against erosion and facilitates water retention.

However, this article discusses a system - hydroponics, wherein plants can be grown without soil. Read on to find out what is hydroponics and gain valuable information about it.

What is Hydroponics?

The hydroponics definition states that it is the cultivation of plants in water. It is a subcategory of hydroculture and is a useful technique of growing plants without soil.

Through this technique, roots absorb the nutrients present in water and fulfil their growth requirement. Furthermore, through this method, one can grow plants in liquid, sand or gravel by simply adding some nutrients to it.

In recent years, hydroponics has found application in the field of commercial production and horticulture. Similarly, residents of cities with limited space are using this method to grow fresh plants in their home and surroundings.

In hydroponics, the photosynthesis process is expressed as –

Carbon dioxide + Water = Glucose + Oxygen

Or,

6CO₂+ 6H₂O = C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Some of the most common hydroponics examples include – the production of artichokes, sprouts, cabbage, peas, onions, tomatoes and yams.

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Fun Fact: The term Hydroponics was derived from ‘hydros’ and ‘ponos’ which in Greek translates into ‘water working’.

Types of Hydroponics Systems

Here are the different types of hydroponics systems.

Wick System: In this system, the nutrients are pumped from the reservoir and transmitted to plant roots through wick’s capillary movement.
Ebb and Flow: It is also called the flood and drains system and is often automated via a pump with a timer. The grow tray is flooded with nutrient solution and is subsequently drained back.
Water Culture: Plants are kept in net pots and are placed on a floating platform on top of a container of water and nutrients. To facilitate growth and development, the suspended roots are stretched out into the oxygenated solution, which is rich in nutrients.
Drip System Recovery: In this setup, the nutrient solutions are pumped through a tube and then dropped onto roots through drip lines.

Other than these, the nutrient film technique and aeroponic system are also popular types of hydroponics systems.

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Test Your Knowledge: Define hydroponics. Explain the importance of hydroponics.

Advantages of Hydroponics

Following advantages makes the uses of hydroponics more feasible and effective –

Higher yield.
Controlled level of nutrition.
Plants are healthier, and they mature faster.
Weeds can be easily eliminated.
Susceptibility to pests and diseases is negligible.
Automation is possible.
Water present in the system can be reused, which facilitates water conservation.
Ease of harvesting.
Crops produced are fitter for consumption.
Small production space can be optimised effectively.

Irrespective of its benefits and uses, hydroponics has its share of disadvantages too. Read below to find remaining hydroponics information and its prominent problems.

Disadvantages of Hydroponics

Here are the prevalent problems of hydroponics –

The initial cost of investment.
The requirement of technical know-how.
The process is often thorough and time-consuming.
Only specific soluble nutrients are used.
The recirculation system is prone to water-borne infection.

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Is the Hydroponic attempt towards agriculture predictable and seasonable?

Farmers do need to tackle unpredictable and unexpected weather issues that could lead to wiping out of the entire crop in a matter of days. Floods, fires, droughts, insect problems, etc. are a fact of nature and can happen anytime and anywhere. And when a food crop is in dire straits, it can have a devastating effect on the rest of the food chain.

In a hydroponic greenhouse, conditions are controlled by the farmer. This means you can plant your strawberries and harvest them in the winter. And when a locust swarm arrives, the greenhouse will protect your precious plants from damage, no matter how many invaders invade nearby fields. For farmers, this means the ability to enter into long-term store contracts with fixed prices. And they will be sure to deliver, no matter what.

Does Hydroponics help in producing High-Quality Food?

With traditional farming, the answer has been to pick up the product before it is ripe and then let it ripen in storage and on the way to supply. In some cases, ethylene gas is used for the automatic ripening of selected foods in advance. This is necessary if traditionally cultivated plants will reach consumers in remote areas.

Natural, plant-based foods are often more nutritious and taste better. Because hydroponic gardens contain their microbiomes, these plants can be grown anywhere. This means that they can be selected during the ripening period as they do not have to travel long distances before arriving at their homes and restaurants to enjoy themselves.

Important Consideration in Hydroponics

While you can grow almost anything with hydroponics, some vegetables grow better in hydroponic systems than others. Choose plants that are moisture-resistant and do not grow well in their composition, such as cucumber, tomato, capsicum, strawberries, lettuce, and leafy vegetables.

Also, when establishing a hydroponic garden, depending on the size, strength, and development of the roots of the plants to grow and the structure of the system, one needs to decide whether to use only a solution culture or a specific type of growth.

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FAQs on Introduction to Hydroponics: Types, Benefits & How It Works

1. What is hydroponics and how does it work?

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead of getting nutrients from the ground, plants receive them from a water-based nutrient solution. The basic principle is that the plant's roots are suspended in, flooded with, or misted with this solution, which provides all the essential macro and micronutrients required for growth. This allows for precise control over the plant's nutrient intake, water usage, and growing environment.

2. What are the main types of hydroponic systems?

There are six main types of hydroponic systems, each with a different method for delivering the nutrient solution to the plant roots:

Wick System: A simple system where a wick transports nutrients from a reservoir to the growing medium.
Deep Water Culture (DWC): Roots are suspended directly in an aerated nutrient solution.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): A continuous, thin film of nutrient solution flows over the ends of the plant roots.
Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain): The growing medium is periodically flooded with the nutrient solution and then drained.
Drip System: Emitters drip the nutrient solution onto the base of each plant.
Aeroponics: Plant roots are suspended in the air and misted with the nutrient solution.

3. What are the primary benefits of hydroponics over traditional soil-based agriculture?

Hydroponics offers several significant advantages over traditional farming methods. Key benefits include:

Water Efficiency: Hydroponic systems can use up to 90% less water than soil-based farming because water is recirculated and reused.
Space Maximisation: Plants can be grown closer together and vertically, leading to a much higher yield per square foot.
Higher Yields and Faster Growth: With direct access to optimised nutrients and oxygen, plants often grow faster and produce a higher yield.
No Soil-borne Diseases: Eliminating soil also eliminates soil-borne pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides and herbicides.
Year-Round Cultivation: Since it is independent of soil quality and often done indoors, hydroponics allows for crop production throughout the year, regardless of climate.

4. Are there any disadvantages or challenges associated with hydroponics?

Yes, despite its benefits, hydroponics has some challenges. The initial setup cost can be high due to the need for equipment like pumps, reservoirs, and lighting. The system is also highly dependent on electricity to power pumps and lights, making it vulnerable to power outages. Additionally, water-borne diseases can spread quickly to all plants if not managed properly, and it requires a greater level of technical knowledge to manage the nutrient solutions and system operations effectively.

5. From a biological perspective, why is soil not essential for plant growth in hydroponics?

Soil's primary roles for a plant are to provide mechanical support, water, oxygen for the roots, and essential mineral nutrients. In a hydroponic system, these functions are simply replaced. Mechanical support is provided by an inert growing medium like perlite, coco coir, or the system's structure itself. Water and essential minerals are delivered directly to the roots via the nutrient solution. Finally, oxygen is supplied to the root zone by aerating the solution (as in DWC) or through exposure to air (as in NFT and Aeroponics). Therefore, as long as these fundamental requirements are met, soil becomes unnecessary for a plant to thrive.

6. What does the nutrient solution in a hydroponic system typically contain?

The nutrient solution is a carefully balanced mixture of essential elements that plants need for healthy growth. It contains macronutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S). It also includes micronutrients, which are needed in smaller amounts, such as Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), and Molybdenum (Mo). The exact concentration of these elements is tailored to the specific type of plant being grown and its current growth stage.

7. How do plant roots adapt to a soil-less environment in hydroponics?

Plant roots show remarkable adaptability in hydroponic systems. Compared to roots in soil, which are often thick and robust for anchoring and foraging, hydroponic roots are typically finer and have a more extensive network of delicate root hairs. This structure maximises the surface area for absorbing water and nutrients directly from the solution. Since they do not have to push through dense soil, less energy is expended on root growth, allowing the plant to allocate more resources to developing foliage, flowers, and fruits.

8. What is a key difference between the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Deep Water Culture (DWC) systems?

The main difference lies in how the roots access the nutrient solution. In a Deep Water Culture (DWC) system, the majority of the plant's root mass is completely submerged in a deep, static reservoir of aerated nutrient solution. In contrast, the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) involves pumping a very shallow, continuous stream (a 'film') of the nutrient solution along a channel, where only the tips of the roots make contact with the water. The upper part of the root system is exposed to moist air, which ensures excellent oxygenation.