HYDROPONICS Agriscience Foundations

Essential Question: What is hydroponics?

Objectives:

1. Explain the meaning and importance of hydroponics.

2. Discuss plant growth requirements.

3. Evaluate the crops suited to hydroponics.

4. Analyze the management of hydroponics plant production.

Hydroponics:

Production of plants without soil.

Hydroponics Systems

Aggregate culture Water, aquaculture, nutriculture Aeroponics Continuous flow system

Aggregate Culture

growing in sand, gravel, marbles

Water, Aquaculture, Nutriculture

plants grown in water containing dissolved nutrients.

Aeroponics

roots hang in air and are sprayed with nutrient solution.

Continuous Flow System

nutrient solution flows constantly over plant roots. Most commonly used for commercial production.

Advantages

1. less pests

2. no weeds

3. Optimum Nutrients

4. Higher Yields ( you get more crop)

Disadvantages

1. High startup cost

2. High production cost

3. Rapid spread of disease

4. Difficult pollination in green house

THE END