1. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil.

2. Hydroponics is a combination of two Greek words, the word 'hydro' meaning 'water' and 'ponos'
meaning 'work'. Generally hydroponics is a water work activity. The cultivation of plants normally on
the ground is known as 'geoponics'.
3.

3. Plants can grow by getting nutrients and water in the form of solution . In a hydroponic system, food
is supplied to the plants through a fertilizer solution known as a nutrient solution. A balanced supply
of nutrient solutions allows the roots to grow perfectly and healthily. This will encourage the growth
of plants for the production of leaves and shoots. However, plant growth is still influenced by various
factors such as sunlight, temperature, carbon dioxide and environmental humidity.

Plants get nutrients from water

4. This hydroponic system has begun to contribute to industrial progress and vegetable production.

5. Hydroponic cultivation is a method of modern and high-tech vegetable production that has the
potential to develop further in Malaysia in line with the current of the country's economic
development towards reaching a developed country by 2020.

Advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic cultivation system

Benefit Weakness

· Higher quality production  It requires a high initial expenditure

· Higher yield compared to above-ground crops cost for the construction of a rain
· More efficient use of fertilizers and water shelter and plant system equipment
· Plants are easily controlled from soil-borne disease  Requires basic skills and knowledge
infections of fertilizer solution management
· Plants can be cultivated throughout the year, which and planting techniques
means they are not affected by the season, whether it is
 Only suitable to be planted with
rainy or hot
certain plants such as leafy
· Does not require land plowing and boundary preparation
vegetables and some types of
works
selected flower and
· Does not require a large area
· No weed problems as above the crop line
· Less attack by plant pests because it is grown in an
insect-proof net house
· Environmentally friendly because there is no use of
animal excrement in fertilizing activities.