Hydroponics Hydroponics is a technique that has been around for centuries, but has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to grow plants in small spaces, with few resources and without the need for agricultural land. As soils degrade and water resources become scarce, this agricultural practice is presented as a viable and sustainable solution to feed a growing population. Knowing the characteristics, advantages and types of hydroponics will help us better understand its impact on modern agriculture.
What is hydroponics?
La Hydroponics It is a cultivation method that uses mineral solutions instead of soil for plant growth. Instead of getting their nutrients from the soil, vegetables receive a mixture of water and dissolved fertilizers that contain all the elements necessary for their development.
This system allows plants to grow in inert media such as gravel, perlite or sand, or even without any substrate at all, as their roots receive the nutrient solution directly. This approach allows the plant to obtain nutrients more efficiently, facilitating faster and more effective growth compared to conventional agricultural methods.
Hydroponics Features
When using hydroponics, the roots of the plants are in contact with a balanced, nutrient-rich aqueous solution. This eliminates the need for soil, as the plants can directly absorb the essential minerals they need for their growth.
Under natural conditions, soil acts as a reserve of nutrients, but soil is not strictly necessary as long as plants receive adequate nutrients in dissolved form in water. This was discovered by scientists in the 19th century, which opened the door to the development of soilless agriculture.
Within hydroponic systems, plants are commonly grown in inert media such as gravel, perlite, pumice, or sand, which offer physical support without interfering with nutrient uptake. However, it is also possible to grow plants directly in water, as we will see later in the different types of hydroponic systems.
Hydroponics uses
Hydroponic farming is especially useful in countries with harsh climatic conditions or where soil is scarce or unsuitable for traditional agriculture. In many regions where soils are contaminated, degraded or insufficiently fertile, hydroponics has become a viable option for food production.
Furthermore, hydroponics has been successfully implemented in urban environments, where space is limited and it is not always possible to use quality soil. In this sense, it is possible to install home hydroponic systems on balconies, terraces and even patios, allowing the cultivation of fresh food all year round.
Another of the great applications of hydroponics is in the large-scale food industry. Hydroponic cultivation in greenhouses offers the advantage of producing food in large volumes and with less use of water resources, especially compared to traditional agriculture.
Classification and advantages offered by hydroponics
Hydroponics can be classified into two main systems:
- Open systemsIn these, the nutrient solution that feeds the plants is not reused and is discarded after feeding the plants.
- Closed systems: They reuse the nutrient solution, allowing for greater efficiency and lower environmental impact. This type of system is more sustainable in the long term.
As for the advantages of hydroponics, the following stand out:
- It uses less water than traditional agriculture: In hydroponics, water is recycled throughout the system, allowing for savings of up to 90% of this resource.
- Reduced use of herbicides: Since there is no contact with the soil, it is not necessary to use herbicides to combat weeds.
- Greater control over nutrients: Farmers can control the exact amount and type of nutrients plants receive, thereby optimizing growth.
- Faster production: The crop cycle is shorter due to the direct access of the roots to nutrients.
- Enables vertical crops: In small spaces or urban areas, they allow vertical installations that maximize the use of space.
Use of containers
Recently, the use of has become popular. containers for the installation of hydroponic systems. These containers allow for greater flexibility and portability, making them ideal for urban areas or in places where fertile soil is limited.
Hydroponic containers can be installed in small spaces and, thanks to their modular design, it is possible to grow up to 80 times more units than in traditional agriculture in the same space. In addition, these types of installations can be optimized to use even less water than standard hydroponics, with savings of up to 90% compared to conventional agriculture.
This ability to maximize production in small spaces and with minimal use of resources has made containerized hydroponic systems a viable option for improving food security in urban areas.
Types of hydroponic systems
There are several types of hydroponic systems, each with characteristics that make them suitable for different crops and conditions. Among the most commonly used, we can highlight:
- Floating root system: The plants float on a sheet of water in which the necessary nutrients are dissolved.
- NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) System: The nutrient solution continuously flows over the plant roots, which are located in inclined channels.
- Aeroponics: The plant roots are suspended in the air and sprayed with a fine mist of nutrients.
- Wick growing system: A wick is used to transfer nutrients from a reservoir to the plant roots.
Each of these systems has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of crop, the climate and the available space, but they all optimize the use of resources, especially water and fertilizers.
With the increasing demand for food and the decreasing arable land, hydroponic systems are presented as an innovative solution that not only allows for a more efficient use of resources, but also promotes sustainability in agricultural production. The ease of controlling inputs and conditions makes crop yields more predictable and of higher quality.
I would be interested to know what type of nutrients plants carry and where they are bought.
Where can you buy the square pvc tubes to be able to start or treat in hydroponics for family use in argenrin?