HYDROPONICS

I.

T6C

INTRODUCTION
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions
without soil.
Hydroponics comes from the Greek hydro-, "water", and ponos, "labor"
Plants can grow using mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such
as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, coconut husk or rice husk.
The soil itself is not essential to plant growth. Basically, soil acts as a mineral
nutrient reservoir.
We only need the mineral nutrients in the soil, but dissolve in water.
Plant roots are able to absorb them when the required mineral nutrients are
introduced into a plant's water supply artificially.
Soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive.

II.

ADVANTAGES
No soil is needed
The most efficient use of space
Saving water, because water stays in the system.
More crops per season.
Water from hydroponics can be reused, in this sense water is recycled.
No pollution is released into the environment .
Stable and high yields
Pests and diseases are easier to get rid of than in soil because of the
container's practicality.
Much higher crop yields
Hydroponics can be used in places where in-ground agriculture or gardening
are not possible.
Its a great alternative to many current climate problems as droughts, infertile
land or scarcity of land, global warming, pollution, etc.

III.

IV.

DISADVANTAGES

Soil have substances that protect the plant from chemical changes in its
surroundings. That substances are called buffers. Without soil as a buffer, any
failure to the hydroponic system leads to rapid plant death.

In floating root technique nutrient solution neeed to be mixed frecuently in

the container because mineral components tend to go down .
TECHNIQUES
The two main types of hydroponics are solution culture and medium culture.

Science Faculty

Mr. Jos Novoa Vsquez

1.

Solution culture does not use a solid medium for the roots, just the nutrient
solution.
The three main types of solution cultures are:
Static solution culture : root floating culture
Continuous-flow solution culture :nutrient film technique
Aeroponics: plants grow suspended in a closed or semi-closed container by
spraying the plant's
dangling roots and lower stem with an atomized, nutrient-rich water solution.
Excellent aeration is the main advantage of aeroponics.
2. The medium culture method has a solid medium for the roots and is named
for the type of medium, e.g., sand culture, gravel culture, or husk culture.
For all techniques, most hydroponic containers are built of plastic, wood,
concrete, glass or metal. In addition, the containers should exclude light to
prevent algae growth in the nutrient solution.

V.

ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR HYDROPONIC PLANTS

With Hydroponics it is essential that the plants are able to access all the
elements needed to grow and be healthy. These are the elements needed, as well
as a description of there functions to the plants. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
are absorbed from the air and water. The rest of the elements, called mineral
nutrients, are dissolved in the nutrient solution.
Nitrogen
(N) is primary to plant growth. Plants convert nitrogen to make proteins essential
to new cell growth. Nitrogen is mainly responsible for leaf and stem growth as
well as overall size and vigor.
Phosphorus
(P) is necessary for photosynthesis and makes possible the energy transfer within
the plant. Phosphorus helps build strong roots and is vital for flower and seed
production. Highest levels of phosphorus are used during germination, seedling
growth and flowering.
Potassium
(K) activates the production and movement of sugars and starches, as well as
growth by cell division. Potassium increases chlorophyll in foliage and helps
regulate stomata openings so plants make better use of light and air. Potassium
encourages strong root growth, water uptake and triggers substances that fight
disease. Potassium is necessary during all stages of growth. It is especially
important in the development of fruit.
Magnesium

Science Faculty

Mr. Jos Novoa Vsquez

(Mg) is found as a central atom in the chlorophyll molecule and is essential to the
absorption of light energy. Magnesium aids in the utilization of nutrients,
neutralizes acids and toxic compounds produced by the plant.
Calcium
(Ca) is fundamental to cell production and growth. Calcium moves slowly within
the plant and tends to concentrate in roots and older growth.
Sulphur
(S) is a component of plant proteins and plays a role in root growth and
chlorophyll supply. Distributed relatively evenly with largest amounts in leaves
which affects the flavor and odor in many plants
Iron
(Fe) is a key in chlorophyll production and is used in photosynthesis. A lack of
iron turns leaves pale yellow or white while the veins remain green.
Manganese
(Mg) works with plant enzymes to reduce nitrates before producing proteins. A
lack of manganese turns young leaves a mottled yellow or brown.
Zinc
(Z) is a catalyst and must be present in minute amounts for plant growth. A lack
of zinc results in stunting, yellowing and curling of small leaves. An excess of zinc
is uncommon but very toxic and causes wilting or death.
Copper
(C) is a catalyst for several enzymes. A shortage of copper makes new growth
wilt and causes irregular growth. Excesses of copper causes sudden death.
Copper is also used as a fungicide and wards off insects and diseases because of
this property.
Boron
(B) is necessary for cells to divide and protein formation. It also plays an active
role in pollination and seed production.
Molybdenum
(Mo) helps form proteins and aids the plant's ability to fix nitrogen from the air. A
deficiency causes leaves to turn pale and fringes to appear scorched. Irregular
leaf growth may also result.
VI.HYDROPONICS SOLUTIONS
Solution A (5ml/L water)
Potassium nitrate
Amonium Nitrate
Triple superphosphate
Solution B (2ml/L water)
Science Faculty

Mr. Jos Novoa Vsquez

VII.

Magnesium sulphate
Iron chelate
Micronutrients

Boric acid

Zinc sulphate

Copper sulphate

Ammonium molybdate
HOW TO USE THE SOLUTIONS
We can not use the concentrated solutions directly on plants. We just
need small volumes of solutions A and B to prepare the nutritive solution to
use in hydroponics. Solutions A and B have highly concentration of minerals
and need to be diluted in water to have the right mineral concentrations for
growing plants.

To prepare 1 litre of nutritive solution you have to add 5 ml of

solution A and 2 ml of solution B in 1 litre of water and stir .
Finally, the nutritive solution contains minerals in the following amounts:

VIII.

Potassium (K) : 210 ppm

Iron (Fe) : 1.00 ppm

Nitrogen (N): 190 ppm

Manganese (Mn):0.5 ppm

Calcium (Ca) : 150 ppm

Boron (B): 0.5 ppm

Sulphur (S): 70 ppm

Zinc (Zn): 0.15 ppm

Magnesium (Mg): 45 ppm

Copper ( Cu): 0.1 ppm

Phosphorus (P): 35 ppm

Molybdenum (Mo): 0.05

ppm

CROPS FOR THE URBAN GARDEN

Hydroponics is excellent for growing different

leafy crops such as lettuce,

celery, chard, basil, watercress, spinach and so on. Also, hydroponics can be
used for root crops such as beet, carrot, radish. In addition for tubers such as
potatoes, bulbs as onions. Fruits such as tomatoes, strawberries and pepper.
Likewise,for growing flowers, decorative and medicinal plants.
IX.

ELECTRONIC REFERENCES

Easy gardening with hydroponics.1999.Retrieve from

http://www.foothillhydroponics.com/booklet/booklet.pdf

Hydroponics for home gardeners.2006.Retrieve from

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1151/ANR-1151.pdf

Science Faculty

Mr. Jos Novoa Vsquez