Hydroponics definition, historical background, advantages, disadvantages, and techniques

Abstract: This article introduces the concept of hydroponics, a way to grow plants without using soil. It defines the term, gives a brief historical background, talks about the merits and demerits of the system, as well as the ways in which it is used. The word hydroponics originates from the Greek language hydro meaning water and ponos meaning labor. Hydroponics is thus a way of cultivating plants, by mixing mineral nutrients In the 19th century, researchers, researchers realized that plants take in essential minerals in water, and that soil only acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir, and as such is not essential to plant growth. Therefore, it is possible to introduce mineral nutrients into a plants water supply artificially. Any terrestrial plant can be cultivated with hydroponics. The difference between hydroponics and a soilless culture is often blurred. While soilless culture requires that no soil with clay or silt is used, hydroponics is a subset of soilless culture, and many kinds of soilless culture do not utilize the mineral nutrient solutions that are used for hydroponics. Plants that are usually cultivated in a particular climate can be grown in a controlled environment like hydroponics. Hydroponics has gained considerable popularity around the world for food production, for the several advantages that it entails. Firstly, soil is not needed in hydroponics, and there is efficiency in water use as well, for the waters stays in the system and can be used again. It is also possible to adjust the nutritional levels, and hence nutrition costs are also low. Additionally, because of the controlled environment in which hydroponics is used, there is no nutrition pollution, and there a stable and high yield. Finally, pests and diseases are easier to control and remove because of the mobility of the hydroponics plant growing techniques. There has been rather fast development in hydroponics, and today it is a recognized branch of agronomy. In the several countries where hydroponics is used, it has been rendered to be a practical method of horticulture. Primarily, crop growth through hydroponics is substantial, and secondly, hydroponics can be used in areas where in-ground agriculture is not possible. It should be noted though, that along with its advantages, there are several draw backs involved with hydroponics. The presence of fertilizer and humidity can result in salmonella. As well, there is a risk of pathogen attacks as a result of high moisture levels that are associated with hydroponics. The two main methods of hydroponics are the solution culture and the medium culture. The tree main kinds of solution culture are the static solution culture, continuous flow solution culture, and aeroponics. The solution culture uses only the nutrient solution for plant cultivation, and no solid medium is needed. The medium culture contains a solid medium for the plants roots, and the hydroponics techniques used under the medium culture include the sand culture, the gravel culture, and the Rockwool culture. There are two variations for each of the medium cultures, namely sub irrigation and irrigation. Hydroponic reservoirs used in all techniques are usually

made of plastic, although concrete, glass, metal, vegetable solids, and wood are also used. The hydroponic containers avoid light in order to stop algae growth in the nutrient solution.
In conclusion, in may be mentioned that with minimal pesticide problems, and a constant supply of nutrients to plant roots, cultivation through hydroponics is substantial. However, reduced levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, or low light exposure can impact plant growth. This issue can be resolved by injecting carbon dioxide into a green house environment to boost cultivation, installing lights, and controlling vegetative growth.