Hydroponics or soilless cultivation is a technology for growing plants in a nutrient solution. It provides all the elements needed by the plant with or without the need for a substrate.
The main meaning of the word hydroponics Cultivation is in nutrient solutions, although growing crops in neutral solid substrates using nutrient solutions is also considered as hydroponic cultivation.
Benefits of hydroponics
Land is not required, even on the second floor of open spaces and covered structures, cultivation can be done.
The work environment is clean and the cultivator has no contact with the soil. There are no soil-borne and contact diseases. Off-season production is possible. Vegetable cultivation can be done with ease. With proper management, high yields are possible. For the system The non-rotating methods of solution cultivation do not require electricity, pumps, etc.
It is possible to produce many types of vegetables and flowers, including anthurium and marigolds, etc., with higher quality.
Water losses are minimized. It is possible to grow plants and root cuttings for export without soil.
Causes of increased yield in hydroponic culture compared to soil culture
2. The presence of pests or diseases in the soil greatly reduces the yield of the product.
3. PH, EC and other physical and chemical conditions of the substrate that affect the growth will be in the best conditions.
• In greenhouse conditions, if the environmental conditions are the same for soil and soilless cultivation, the increase in tomato production by hydroponics is about -20 It is 25%.
• The use of sterilized soil and adequate nutrition in soil crops can solve some problems and increase some yield, but the yield of hydroponic field cultivation is 4-10 times that of traditional soil crops.
aeroponics
In this method, the cloud or mist of the nutrient solution is sprayed every 4 to 5 minutes on the roots of the plants that are inside the closed chamber. This method is designed in such a way that the roots are placed in the dark and from The growth of algae is prevented in them. The advantages of this method compared to other water methods: Good aeration of the roots so that the roots grow in the air. Saving more water and essential elements. Fertilizers).
This method requires a water pulverizing device or creating pressure inside the pipes and injecting drops into the closed chamber. The excess final solution is collected and directed to the tank, which flows in a circular and closed flow.
Management: Sahar Fereydoni