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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.
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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.
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(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)
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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.
VIII.
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
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