Hydroponics is an intensive method of farming in which large amounts of food can be grown in a small area. Hydroponics comes from the Greek ‘hydro’ and ‘ponos’, which mean ‘water’ and ‘labour’ respectively. In 1929, Dr William Gericke, a professor at the University of California in the US, first used the word to describe the growing of food without soil, and often using artificial lights instead of direct sunlight. Gericke reportedly grew tomatoes in a chemical solution, with vines reaching around 7,1m in length.
ADVANTAGES OF A HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
• It allows for food to be grown in places where conventional agriculture cannot be used; Hydroponics, for example, allow countries such as Israel to produce surplus fresh produce;
• There is better control of nutrients, pH and the growing environment, providing conditions that are ideal for the optimisation of yields;
• Less water is used in farming, reducing costs and promoting more environmentally friendly production;
• More oxygen is let through to the crop's root zone, and plants therefore grow more vigorously and at a quicker rate;
• It reduces the pathogen load via the elimination of the use of soil for production;
• It needs less labour as there is no weeding required. As crops such as strawberries are lifted off the ground in hydroponics, labour with regard to harvesting is also reduced.
DISADVANTAGES OF A HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
• The capital outlay is higher than that of a conventional system. The upkeep and maintenance of the system may also be high.
• Expertise is needed to run a hydroponic system.
• While disease load may be lower than in a conventional system, diseases such as Fusarium and Vericillium can spread more quickly through a hydroponic system.
Esta historia es de la edición March 31, 2023 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 31, 2023 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Africa goes from net carbon sink to source
New research shows Africa's impact on greenhouse gases and the need to focus on climate-smart agriculture
Ireland potato farmers unable to complete planting
Irish potato farmers have reported a delay in harvest and said that the UK might have to prepare for shortages of the produce. The shortfall is due to extreme wet weather during their planting season.
Zero-residue fresh produce a reality
Retail giants are calling for caution when using biologicals and chemical pesticides,
Big boost for mohair producers in Eastern Cape
A collaboration between the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET) has resulted in a R1,4 million injection into four emerging Angora goat farming operations in the Eastern Cape.
KZN Youth Show at Roval Agricultural Exhibition
The KZN Youth Show will run from Friday, 24 May to Sunday, 26 May at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.
Hemp permits and irrigation system handed over
In an effort to fast-track the entry of rural farmers into the cannabis and hemp industries, KwaZuluNatal Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Super Zuma, visited the Shukasibheme Project in Mbazwana, a co-operative in Mseleni, uMhlabuyalingana in the Umkhanyakude District, to hand over cannabis and hemp permits as well as a borehole and irrigation system.
Meet some of the heroes behind avitourism destinations
Exploring what the Garden Route offers birdwatchers, Brian Berkman discovers some special people who run hospitable places to meet and see a variety of species.
What the Citrus Academy offers aspiring producers
Cobus du Plessis takes a look at the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa's Citrus Academy and how it is helping to develop aspiring farmers in the sector.
Natural-born killers of the insect world
The Myrmeleontidae family of lacewings from the Neuroptera order of insects consists of about 2 000 species of which 125 are found in South Africa.
Seeder kick-starts vegetation in challenging environments
Dr George Craven of Noorspoort, Steytlerville, in the south-eastern Karoo, is successfully using a home-built 'bedstead seeder' to re-establish veld plants in an arid area, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.