Hydroponics

Introduction to Agriculture

Original Power Point Created by Mike White

Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

June 2002

Terms

• Hydroponics:

–growing of plants in a solutions of nutrients, without soil

• Substrate:

–substance in which plant takes root

General Facts• Any plant can be grown in

hydroponics.

• Almost any system can achieve acceptable growth.

• Small scale hydroponics is different to large scale.

General Facts• Hydroponics contributes to

understanding plant growth.

• Very few commercial producers.

• Mainly experimental.

Hydroponic Requirements

• Best possible light

• 50% or more humidity

• Day temp = 75 deg.

• Night temp = 65 deg.

Other Requirements

• All essential elements needed

• The larger the particle size of substrate the more watering needed.

Commercial Production

• Minimum of 100,000 sq ft

• Thousands of plants needed

• Will be able to tell conditions of water by looking at the plants

Advantages of HydroponicsReduced land costMore control over growing environmentReduced pesticide useYear-round supplyNo weeds or soil diseases or cultivation is

unnecessaryAlternative to urban sprawl

Advantages Cont.• No sterilization of growing medium

• The taste, appearance, quality, uniformity and shelf life are better than plants grown in soil.

• Less water and fertilizer is needed to grow plants.

Disadvantages of Hydroponics

• Start-up costs

• Management

• Labor requirements