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1 Plant and Soil Science Introduction to Hydroponics Slide 2 2 What is hydroponics? The word hydroponics is derived from the Greek words hydro and ponos It is the science of growing plants in an inert medium Nutrients come from a nutrient solution Slide 3 3 Commercial use of hydroponics It has been used in the industry for over 45 years Slide 4 4 Crops Almost any herbaceous plant lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs The crops that are grown are usually specially bred for hydroponics Slide 5 5 Advantages of hydroponics It can be used regardless of soil type Fresh produce can be grown all year round Crop yields are higher with hydroponics compared to conventional methods Higher quality product can be produced Soil borne insect and disease problems are greatly reduced Slide 6 6 Advantages of hydroponics Since there is no soil, there is no need to cultivate or weed the crops Less pesticides are used because the crops are so healthy All plants receive the correct nutrients at the right time Hydroponics allows for greater efficiency of water and fertilizers Slide 7 7 Disadvantages of hydroponics High start up cost Operators need to be skilled The system must be sanitary and kept clean because disease can affect all plants if it gets into the solution Slide 8 8 Hydroponic methods Water culture Aggregate culture Slide 9 9 Water culture Nutrient film technique (NFT) Aeroponics Slide 10 10 Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Plants are grown with their roots in a trough that water runs through continuously Water level is very shallow to allow adequate air exchange Troughs can be up to 100 feet long and are sloped about two or three degrees to allow the water to flow Slide 11 11 NFT Nutrient Film Technique Slide 12 12 Aeroponics The roots of the plant are suspended in a chamber where the roots are misted constantly. The chamber creates an environment in which there is 100 percent humidity Slide 13 13 Aeroponics Slide 14 14 Aggregate culture Gravel culture Sand culture Sawdust culture Other cultures Common: rockwool culture Slide 15 15 Hydroponics Slide 16 16 Gravel culture There are beds that are filled with gravel Plants are placed in the gravel The plants are irrigated through sub-irrigation. The number of irritations depends on temperature and size of plants. Slide 17 17 Sand culture There are beds that are filled with sand The beds can be on benches or on the floor Plants are placed in the sand The plants are watered through drip irrigation that brings water and nutrients Slide 18 18 Sand culture Slide 19 19 Sawdust culture Similar to sand culture Sawdust from Douglas fir and western hemlock give the best growing results Medium sized particles are the best size to use Slide 20 20 Rockwool culture Rockwool is one of the most widely used mediums. Almost all the plants that are used in the other aggregate cultures were started in a rockwool cube Rockwool can be reused for three or four years Drip irrigation is usually used with it Slide 21 21 Rockwool