1. Hydroponics
Hydroponics is soil-less growing which means that we do not use any soil. In soil there are
contaminating bacteria and soluble pollutants and soil is not a solvent.
What we do is we grow in inert mediums using nutrients which are just meals dissolved in water
as a food supply.
Plants that are grown using hydroponics depend on the season.
Ex of cool season’s plants: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, carrots
Ex of warm season’s plants: tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, melons

2. Instead of soil, plants grow using water & fertilizers. We also use containers, tubes, sponges,
and lights. We receive a small amount of light in the greenhouse but we need to provide it more.
So we provide good artificial lights which is a mix of cool white fluorescent bulbs and plant
grow lights. This blend provides the right amount of red and blue light waves that the plant will
use to grow.
ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS
1. Plants can be grown anywhere
2. Better control over plant growth
3. Less work with hydroponics
4. Water and nutrients are conserved
5. Pest and disease problems are reduced
6. Transplanting shocks are reduced for seedlings
7. Soil erosion problem is inexistence
8. Culture is extensive

3. DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS
1. Starting cost is high
2. Sound technological know how is required for proper training
ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS OVER SOIL
In open air farming,it is difficult for farmers to regulate the level of nutrients to the plants. Plants
that are grown using hydroponic system are able to get the right amount of nutrient required,since
the plant are grown in a controlled environment.
There is less work compared to an open air farming. Tilling of soil, watering the plants,
fumigation, weed pulling or even animal problems are non-existent.

4. Plants grow faster when using hydroponics than in soil because the nutrients are dissolved in the water
and closely monitored, the plants will have access to the optimum conditions required for them to grow
well.(in hydroponics)
Hydroponics farms are also usually covered in a fine net which prevents attack by insects. The absence
of pests also mean the plants grow much better whereas in the open air farm the plants are attacked by
pests which result in poor growth of plants.
FUTURE USE OF HYDROPONICS
Further development of the application of solar heating in hydroponic greenhouses will reduce cost and economic impact of
hydroponics. Currently, plans are being drawn for using the techniques of soil-less culture on space stations, and perhaps
one day on surfaces of other celestial bodies (planets, moons, etc.) that don’t have soil. In the future, developing countries,
along with all other nations, will be able to feed many people using less land than current farming techniques. Advances in
lighting technology will lead to a more widespread use of hydroponics in areas with limited seasonal sunlight. In the future,
the application of hydroponics in providing food in areas having vast regions of non-arable land, such as deserts and
mountainous terrain, will be more heavily used.