Alternatives to
Alternative
Methods:
Soil Farming
Soiless Farming
Hydroponics
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Hydroponics
Hydroponics: cultivating plants using mineral
nutrient solutions dissolved in water.
Substrates used:
Hydroponics
Hydroponics: cultivating plants using mineral
nutrient solutions dissolved in water.
Substrates used:
- Only water
- Perlite
- Gravel
- Expanded clay
- Mineral wool
- Coconut husk
Hydroponics
Where is it used:
-NASA: possibility of growing plants in large
space stations or on other planets.
Hydroponics
Where is it used:
-NASA: possibility of growing plants in large
space stations or on other planets.
- Greenhouses: most of the lettuce you eat is
grown hydroponically.
Hydroponics
Where is it used:
-NASA: possibility of growing plants in large
space stations or on other planets.
- Greenhouses: most of the lettuce you eat is
grown hydroponically.
- Laboratories: you can
control more variables
(amount of nutrients, pH)
Advantages of a Hydroponic System
• No soil needed
• Water can be reused many times before it
needs to be flushed = saves water
Advantages of a Hydroponic System
• No soil needed
• Water can be reused many times before it
needs to be flushed = saves water
• Can control plant nutrition (it is only in the
water if you put it there)
• High yields
• Ease of harvesting
Disadvantage of Hydroponics
• If something goes wrong with the water all the
plants are effected = may lose whole crop
• There is no soil to buffer changes:
Disadvantage of Hydroponics
• If something goes wrong with the water all the
plants are effected = may lose whole crop
• There is no soil to buffer changes:
eg. In soil pH drops in soil breaking down calcium
rock which brings the pH back up.
Without a buffer the pH
can rise and fall uncontrollably
which might kill the plants
Two Main Types of Hydroponics
Solution Hydroponics: Uses only water with
dissolved nutrients
Solute:
Solvent:
Medium Hydroponics:
Eg: use gravel =
use rockwool =
Two Main Types of Hydroponics
Solution Hydroponics: Uses only water with
dissolved nutrients
Solute: a substance that is dissolved = fertilizer
Solvent: Used to dissolve solute = solvent
Medium Hydroponics:
Eg: use gravel =
use rockwool =
Two Main Types of Hydroponics
Solution Hydroponics: Uses only water with
dissolved nutrients
Solute: a substance that is dissolved = fertilizer
Solvent: Used to dissolve solute = solvent
Medium Hydroponics: Uses a solid substance for
the roots. Named after the type of solid they use.
Eg: use gravel = gravel culture
use rockwool = rockwool culture
Other Forms of Hydroponics
Static Solution Culture: Most common form
used in personal gardens.
Parts:
-
Other Forms of Hydroponics
Static Solution Culture: Most common form
used in personal gardens.
Parts:
-Bucket with lid
-Airline to aerate water
-Basket for plants
-Water soluble nutrients
Other Forms of Hydroponics
Continuous flow Solution Culture: A thin constant
stream of nutrient rich water passes the root
system of the plants.
Parts:
-
Other Forms of Hydroponics
Continuous flow Solution Culture: A thin constant
stream of nutrient rich water passes the root
system of the plants.
Parts:
-Pipes with holes or buckets
attached to them
-Large container of water
-Pump system that moves
water from the container
through the pipes
-Water soluble nutrients
Nutrients Needed for Hydroponics
Nutrients Needed for Hydroponics
Nutrients Needed for Hydroponics
Nutrients Needed for Hydroponics
Nutrients Needed for Hydroponics
Assignment
Article and Questions
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Aeroponics
Aeroponics
Aeroponics: Aero = air
Growing plants without the use of soil or
aggregates. Water and nutrients are brought to
the roots by mist or humidity.
Aeroponics
Basic Aeroponics System:
- Plants are grown on a support structure (mesh
or mesh baskets). Roots grow out the bottom
and hang in a closed off space
- Roots are sprayed with fertilized water by spray
bars or mist bar