Notes on Hydroponics

Hydroponics
This is a method of growing crops in a soilless medium, using mineral nutrient solutions.
Fertilizers are dissolved in water which is contained in long trays in which the crops are grown.
There are probes immersed in the mineral solution and these detect/sense the following:
-pH level
-nutrient level
-temperature
The following crops can be grown hydroponically: leeks, pursnips, rice, raddish, yams, potatoes,
onions, beetroots and carrots
Advantages of hydroponic crop production
1. No soil is needed. This means crops can be grown anywhere and not much space is
needed.
2. Early germination, fast growth and early maturity of crops. This is because the seed does
not use a lot of energy and time to break through the soil
3. No land preparation processes like clearing, cultivation and levelling are done. This
reduces production costs
4. The water stays in the system and can be re-used
5. It is possible to control nutrient levels in their entirety.
6. Temperature and pH can easily be controlled
7. There is no nutrient pollution to the environment as the solution does not leave the
system.
8. Pests, pathogens and diseases which are soil-borne e.g bacterial wilt and nematodes are
not a problem in this system
9. It is easier to get rid of pests and diseases than in the soil
10. Yields are usually high as crops do not invest a lot of energy in extensive root
development.
11. It allows continuous cropping throughout the year
12. Harvesting is easy
Disadvantages of hydroponic crop production
1. Without soil as a buffer, any failure to the hydroponic system leads to rapid crop death.
2. Fungal infections like damping off disease become prevalent due to damp conditions.
3. Different crops require different fertilizers and containment systems. Installing different
systems for different crops increases costs.