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Hydroponics
Introduction to Agriculture
Original Power Point Created by Mike White
Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
June 2002
Terms
• Hydroponics:
–growing of plants in a solutions of nutrients, without soil
• Substrate:
–substance in which plant takes root
General Facts• Any plant can be grown in
hydroponics.
• Almost any system can achieve acceptable growth.
• Small scale hydroponics is different to large scale.
General Facts• Hydroponics contributes to
understanding plant growth.
• Very few commercial producers.
• Mainly experimental.
Hydroponic Requirements
• Best possible light
• 50% or more humidity
• Day temp = 75 deg.
• Night temp = 65 deg.
Other Requirements
• All essential elements needed
• The larger the particle size of substrate the more watering needed.
Commercial Production
• Minimum of 100,000 sq ft
• Thousands of plants needed
• Will be able to tell conditions of water by looking at the plants
Advantages of HydroponicsReduced land costMore control over growing environmentReduced pesticide useYear-round supplyNo weeds or soil diseases or cultivation is
unnecessaryAlternative to urban sprawl
Advantages Cont.• No sterilization of growing medium
• The taste, appearance, quality, uniformity and shelf life are better than plants grown in soil.
• Less water and fertilizer is needed to grow plants.
Disadvantages of Hydroponics
• Start-up costs
• Management
• Labor requirements