1. Introduction to Hydroponics
Plant and Soil Science
Introduction to Hydroponics

2. What is hydroponics?
The word hydroponics is derived from the Greek words “hydro” and “ponos”
It is the science of growing plants in an inert medium
Nutrients come from a nutrient solution

3. Commercial use of hydroponics
It has been used in the industry for over 45 years

4. Almost any herbaceous plant
Crops
Almost any herbaceous plant
lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs
The crops that are grown are usually specially bred for hydroponics

5. Advantages of hydroponics
It can be used regardless of soil type
Fresh produce can be grown all year round
Crop yields are higher with hydroponics compared to conventional methods
Higher quality product can be produced
Soil borne insect and disease problems are greatly reduced

6. Advantages of hydroponics
Since there is no soil, there is no need to cultivate or weed the crops
Less pesticides are used because the crops are so healthy
All plants receive the correct nutrients at the right time
Hydroponics allows for greater efficiency of water and fertilizers

7. Disadvantages of hydroponics
High start up cost
Operators need to be skilled
The system must be sanitary and kept clean because disease can affect all plants if it gets into the solution

8. Hydroponic methods
Water culture
Aggregate culture

9. Nutrient film technique (NFT) Aeroponics
Water culture
Nutrient film technique (NFT)
Aeroponics

10. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Plants are grown with their roots in a trough that water runs through continuously
Water level is very shallow to allow adequate air exchange
Troughs can be up to 100 feet long and are sloped about two or three degrees to allow the water to flow

11. NFT Nutrient Film Technique

12. Aeroponics
The roots of the plant are suspended in a chamber where the roots are misted constantly.
The chamber creates an environment in which there is 100 percent humidity

13. Aeroponics

14. Aggregate culture Gravel culture Sand culture Sawdust culture
Other cultures
Common: rockwool culture

15. Hydroponics

16. Gravel culture There are beds that are filled with gravel
Plants are placed in the gravel
The plants are irrigated through sub-irrigation.
The number of irritations depends on temperature and size of plants.

17. Sand culture There are beds that are filled with sand
The beds can be on benches or on the floor
Plants are placed in the sand
The plants are watered through drip irrigation that brings water and nutrients

18. Sand culture

19. Sawdust culture
Similar to sand culture
Sawdust from Douglas fir and western hemlock give the best growing results
Medium sized particles are the best size to use

20. Rockwool culture
Rockwool is one of the most widely used mediums. Almost all the plants that are used in the other aggregate cultures were started in a rockwool cube
Rockwool can be reused for three or four years
Drip irrigation is usually used with it

21. Rockwool