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HydroGrown
Hydroponics Ltd.
Copyright © 2006 |
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The history of Hydroponics and Aeroponics Cultures
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Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the art of growing plants in water. The word comes from the Greek "hydro = water" and "ponos = work". Many different
civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques
throughout history. As noted in Hydroponic Food Production
(Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard
M. Resh: "The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating
gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese are
examples of 'Hydroponic' culture. Egyptian hieroglyphic
records dating back several hundred years B.C. describe the
growing of plants in water." Hydroponics is hardly a new
method of growing plants. However, giant strides have been
made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.
Throughout the last century, scientists and
horticulturists experimented with different methods of
hydroponics. One of the potential applications of
hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh
produce in nonarable areas of the world. It is a simple fact
that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if
there is even any soil at all). This application of
hydroponics was tested during World War II. Troops stationed
on nonarable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh
produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems.
Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the
space program. As NASA considered the practicalities of
locating a society on another plant or the Earth's moon,
hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This
research is ongoing.
But by the 1970s, it wasn't just scientists
and analysts who were involved in hydroponics. Traditional
farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the
virtues of hydroponic growing.
A few of the positive aspects of hydroponics include:
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Optimal utilization of the plant's genetic potential. |
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Better control of the plant's nutrition. |
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A visible improvement in quantity and yields. |
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A significant shortening of the growth / production interval for a large variety of species. |
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A more efficient use of space. |
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An excellent propagation success rate. |
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Huge savings on fertilizers, and most important, of water, in a situation of ever increasing global scarcity. |
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A total absence of herbicides. To replace pesticides and fungicides, hydroponic growers will often use IPM (Integrated Pest Management). |
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The strength and vigor of plants started in hydroponics then transplanted in soil is such that it opens up enormous commercial perspectives, especially for potted plants. |
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In the field of education, at all stages, hydroponics fills children and adults with wonder. Several countries already introduced it in their school or university programs. |
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Last but not least, hydroponics was, and still is, used for research purposes. For the last 50 years this method has been applied in most important research
centers because of its reliability, its precision and the broad spectrum of its applications. Thanks to hydroponics enormous leaps forward were made possible in the understanding of plants and especially their nutrition. |
Like all things, hydroponics can have good or bad results depending on the people who apply it and their objectives:
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It can be used for mass production and to produce tomatoes with little taste or roses with no perfume. But it can grow products with the best nutritive qualities, bursting with
flavor and aroma. |
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It can be a pollutant when used with rockwool or in run-to-waste conditions. But, it can be applied ecologically in respect to the environment, sustain a large portion of the planet's population with quality food, and allow third world countries to feed their own, even when the soil is poor and water scarce. |
Commercial growers are flocking to
hydroponics like never before. The ideals surrounding these
growing techniques touch on subjects that most people care
about, such as helping end world hunger and making the world
cleaner. In addition to the extensive research that is going
on, everyday people from all over the world have been
building (or purchasing) their own systems to grow
great-tasting, fresh food for their family and friends.
Educators are realizing the amazing applications that
hydroponics can have in the classroom. And ambitious
individuals are striving to make their dreams come true by
making their living in their backyard greenhouse, selling
their produce to local markets and restaurants.
Hydroponics allows you to garden year-round
because you have complete control over light, humidity, and
temperature, resulting in greater high-quality yields in a
smaller space. Although some aspects of hydroponics may seem
a bit involved, getting started doesn't have to be
overwhelming. With a little planning and information, a
hydroponic garden can be within your reach faster than you
might have believed!
And now that so many people from so many
different walks of life are involved in hydroponics
and its associated disciplines (such as Aeroponics and
Aquaponics), progress is coming faster
than ever before.
Aero-hydroponics
The Aero-hydroponic method was developed in Israel in the
early 1980's. Dr. Hillel Soffer, senior researcher at the
Volcani Institute at Ein Gedi developed the aero-hydroponic
method to overcome the challenges presented by the hot, arid
conditions at Ein Gedi. The discoveries that followed the
development of aero-hydroponics offer great benefits to all
hydroponic growers.
During a two-year period from 1986 to 1988, Dr. Soffer performed
extensive research using the aero-hydroponic method at the
University of California at Davis, where he had received his
Ph.D. in the early 1970s. The specific area of research was in
quantifying the effect of various levels of dissolved oxygen on
root growth, especially in the propagation of plants from
cuttings.
The findings of his research were published in the Journal of
the American Society for Horticultural Science, and HortScience.
Both studies were co-authored with David Burger at UCD. In
addition, Dr. Soffer presented his findings at the annual
conference of the Hydroponic Society of America in 1988.
What is most surprising about aero-hydroponics is not how it
works, but why plants grow better. The key is dissolved oxygen
at the root boundary zone.
In Aero-hydroponics, the nutrient solution is sprayed through
the air in order to infuse the nutrient with dissolved oxygen.
The method differs from classic aeroponics in that most of the
plant's roots are not suspended in air and fed by a spray of
nutrient solution; rather, the majority of the roots are
submerged in oxygen-infused nutrient which is in constant motion
in order to maintain high levels of dissolved oxygen at the root
boundary zone where oxygen and nutrients are taken in by the
plant.
The Aero-hydroponic method is without doubt the most advanced
hydroponic method that has been developed to date. The cost of
constructing and installing systems, plus the complications of
obtaining licensing, have been deterrents to widespread
commercial application. This is changing as commercial growers,
researchers, serious hydroponic gardeners and manufacturers
become aware of the capabilities and value of aero-hydroponics.
Originally published in
The Growing Edge,
Vol 2, No 1, Fall 1990 |
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