Hi
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, or coconut husk.
Some of the reasons why hydroponics is being adapted around the world for food production are the following:
* No soil is needed
* The water stays in the system and can be reused - thus, lower water costs
* It is possible to control the nutrition levels in their entirety - thus, lower nutrition costs
* No nutrition pollution is released into the environment because of the controlled system
* Stable and high yields
* Pests and diseases are easier to get rid of than in soil because of the container's mobility
* It is easier to harvest
Today, hydroponics is an established branch of agronomy. Progress has been rapid, and results obtained in various countries have proved it to be thoroughly practical and to have very definite advantages over conventional methods of horticulture.
There are two chief merits of the soil-less cultivation of plants. First, hydroponics may potentially produce much higher crop yields. Also, hydroponics can be used in places where in-ground agriculture or gardening are not possible.
Disadvantages
Without soil as a buffer, any failure to the hydroponic system leads to rapid plant death. Other disadvantages include pathogen attacks such as damp-off due to Verticillium wilt caused by the high moisture levels associated with hydroponics and over watering of soil based plants. Also, many hydroponic plants require different fertilizers and containment system
Regards
Ashwini
