What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics refers to the technique of growing plants without dirt. In hydroponic systems, the roots of plants are submerged in liquid solutions containing macronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as trace elements, including iron, chlorine, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, and molybdenum. Additionally, inert mediums such as gravel, sand, and sawdust are used as soil substitutes to provide support for the roots.

The Advantages

The advantages of hydroponics include the ability to increase yield per area and reduce water usage. Studies have shown that hydroponic farming could increase the yield per area of lettuce by around 11 times while requiring 13 times less water compared to conventional farming. This makes it the predominant system for vertical farming.