What is Hydroponics?
Compiled by Mayela RUIZ MURILLO
Hydroponics is a way to grow plants without soil. To do this using a precise combination of different minerals that contain all the nutrients required for plant development and that usually gives them land, diluted in water (nutrient solution), which is applied directly to the roots different ways, according to the method of hydroponics is adopted. Hydroponics is a form of culture that can be applied to any plant, whether for consumption or decorative and can be performed both in open and closed. There are many different methods of hydroponics, but all conform to a basic principle, which is growing of plants without soil and without organic matter. Currently, the concept of hydroponics is known worldwide. In the U.S., Europe and Japan there are large establishments engaged in the production of such crops, mainly for the supply of fresh vegetables to the population. Also, the republics of the former Soviet Union encouraged the expansion of hydroponics. There are huge greenhouses to produce food in large scale under extreme weather conditions. Among the techniques of cultivation that man has developed over thousands of years, hydroponics is the most advanced and modern. It is certainly a way to grow the future.
Importance of Hydroponics
In a world overpopulated with eroded soil and increasing rates of pollution, changing climates and persistent ecological requirements of the population, hydroponics, because of their particular provides new possibilities where traditional crops are sold out as an alternative.
Particularly in big cities. In them, the city is affected by two converging factors: the price of food plants are as time goes on, comparatively more expensive than products industrialized, and the questionable and irregular quality of the data. This last aspect, which makes consumer health, puts on the same level of vulnerability and helplessness, adults and children as the rich and poor. It is no accident, that we began highlighting these two negative aspects, because for many years, consumers in Latin America have been protected against the high costs had food in other parts of the world because of the confluence of several positive factors in agricultural geography, such as soil quality, diversity of climates, adequate rainfall, the low cost of production and marketing, etc.., enabling them to dispense during a long period, the incorporation of modern farming techniques that were used in more advanced countries of the world, seeing their interests affected. On the other hand, the food arrived at their table, were almost without exception, excellent quality and taste, and enjoyed an acceptable state of health. Unfortunately, the situation has changed: no longer a region of cheap food and even less reliable food quality. Currently used pesticides banned in the rest of the world for its high toxicity and lack of adequate controls to ensure compliance with current regulations on plant health. A large percentage of foods consumed contain elements harmful to health, including vegetables and fruits are the most exposed, as those that carry the table directly to residues of insecticides and pesticides, unlike what happens with meat, milk, eggs , etc., which enters the body of animals and then go to the food we eat, so somehow, the effects become attenuated. This change of circumstances, is what led us to delve into the potential use of hydroponics in mass production of vegetables, fruits and herbs, as well as ornamental plants, flowers, animal feed, etc. Along with the significant interest we have received hydroponics by plant lovers, we found that the literature available on our space is limited and generally of foreign origin, suffer in many cases, lack of compliance with the conditions of our country and with recommendations of techniques, materials and cultivation methods difficult to implement, so the effort will focus on proven methodologies to transmit, the positive results obtained, to ensure the success of crops, with low production costs, a minimum commitment by the grower and the scope of both the amateur and professional hydroponics.
Advantages of Hydroponics
crops developed using the hydroponic system have a number of advantages over traditional ones, among which may indicate the following: • It can be grown indoors, balconies, terraces, patios, etc.
• It requires much less area for the same amount of production. Performing overlapping facilities, can multiply even more space. • It shortens the growing season. The plant development is faster. • The little plants develop roots as they are directly in contact with nutrients, But they make a remarkable growth of stems, leaves and fruits. • Requires much less labor, it is not necessary to remove soil, perform transplants, clean crop of weeds, apply fertilizer, etc. also reducing the tasks of collecting the fruit, among other advantages. • The presentation of the products obtained is higher than those grown in soil. • Maintains plant crops in an environment remarkably good. Helps control pests in crops. • Lower costs for cropping operations. • hydroponics system, allows the addition of staff, who by their characteristics (elderly, disabled, etc..) could not perform tasks in traditional crops. • Solve the problem of soil exhaustion.
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