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Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
___________________________________________________________________________
© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 26
Role of Hydroponics and Aeroponics in Soilless Culture in Commercial Food
Production
Lakkireddy K. K. R.*, Kasturi K., Sambasiva Rao K. R. S.
Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur - 522 510, A.P., India
*Author for Correspondence: E-mail kiransbiotech@gmail.com
1. HYDROPONICS AND AEROPONICS
The word hydroponics has its derivation from
the combing of two Greek words, hydro
meaning water and ponos meaning labor, i.e,
“water work”. The word first appeared in a
scientific magazine article (Science, Feb
178:1) Gericke and Setchell, 1937.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants
using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil.
Similarly related hydroponic terms are “
aqua(water) culture”, “hydro culture”,
“nutriculture”, “soilless culture”, “soilless
agriculture”, “tank farming” or “chemical
culture”. A hydroponicist is defined as one,
who practices hydroponics, and hydroponicum
defined as a building or garden in which
hydroponics is practiced [1].
Hydroponics is a technology for growing
plants in nutrient solutions (water containing
fertilizers) with or without the use of an
artificial medium (sand, gravel, vermiculture,
rokwool, perlite, peat moss, coir, or sawdust)
to provide mechanical support. Liquid
hydroponic systems have no other supporting
medium for the plant roots. Aggregate systems
have a solid medium of support. It does not
harm our environment as runoff from fertilized
soil and very little water is lost to evaporation.
It is very useful in drought stricken areas.
These hydroponic medium are designed to be
very porous for excellent retention of air and
water. Healthy plant-roots are developed by
good breathe. In this hydroponics plants will
get perfectly balanced diet [2].
Aeroponic is a form of hydroponic technique.
The word aeroponic is derived from the Latin
meaning of “aero” (air) and “ponic” (work).
Aeroponic growth refers to growth achieved in
an air culture. Such conditions occur in nature.
ABSTRACT
The technology Hydroponics and Aeroponics plays very crucial role in 21st century in soilless culture in
commercial food production. In this technology natural media is helpful to grow the plants. The main
principle involving the use of sprayers, nebulizers, foggers to create a fine mist of solution of deliver
nutrients to plants roots. Plant roots are suspended above a reservoir of nutrient solution or inside a
channel connected to a reservoir. Plants will grow under optimal conditions like nutrient, temperature,
aeration, and pH. In this technique oxygen is influenced into the nutrient solution, allowing the roots to
absorb nutrients quicker and more easily. This facilitates stimulating the rapid growth, preventing algae
formation and resulting high yields.
Keywords: Hydroponic, aeroponic, greenhouse, NASA, nutrient solution
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
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© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 27
For example, in tropical climates orchids
develop and grow freely in trees.
2. AEROPONIS IS AN APPLICATION
OF HYDROPONICS WITHOUT A
GROWING MEDIUM
Plant roots are suspended mid-air inside a
chamber kept at a 100% humidity level and
fed with a fine spray of nutrient solution. This
mid-air feeding allows the roots to absorb
much needed oxygen, thereby increasing
metabolism and rate of growth reportedly up
to 10 times of that in soil. And there is nearly
no water loss due to evaporation. Laboratory
research on air culture growing utilizing
vapors began in the mid 1940s. Today
aeroponics is used in agriculture around the
globe [3]. Aeroponic culture differs from both
hydroponics and in vitro (plant tissue culture)
growing. Unlike hydroponics, which uses
water as a growing medium and essential
mineral to sustain plant growth, aeroponics is
conducted without growing medium [4].
3. HISTORICAL PAST
Ancient people such as the Babylonians and
Aztecs used growing techniques where
nutrients were obtained from sources other
than soil. The mineral nutrients solutions used
today for hydroponics were not developed
until the 1800s [5].The first use of controlled-
environment agriculture (CEA) was the
growing of off-season cucumbers under
“transparent stone” (mica) for the Roman
Emperor Tiberius during the 1st century; the
technology is believed to have been used little,
at all, for the following 1500 years [6].
Greenhouses (and experimental hydroponics)
appeared in France and England during the
17th century; Woodward grew mint plants
without soil in England in the year 1699. The
basic laboratory techniques of nutrient solution
culture were developed (independently) by
Sachs and Knap in Germany [7].
Greenhouse areas began to expand
significantly in Europe and Asia during 1950s,
and large hydroponic system were developed
in the deserts of California, Arizona, Abu
Dhabi, and Iran about 1970 [6,8]. In the late
1960s researches at the Glasshouse Crops
Research Institute (GCRI) Littlehampton,
England developed the Nutrient Film
Technique (NFT) along with a number of
subsequent refinements [9]. In selecting a
greenhouse site, a grower must be aware of
several chemical properties that might cause
problems for greenhouse growers; PH
alkalinity, soluble salts etc. [10]. It was Carter
in 1942 that first researched air culture
growing and described a method of growing
plants in water vapor to facilitate examination
of roots. It was Went in 1957 who first coined
the air-growing process as “aeroponics”
growing coffee plants and tomatoes with air-
suspended roots and applying a nutrient mist
to the root selection.
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
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© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 28
4. SOILLESS CULTURE/AEROPONICS
AND HYDROPONICS
Gericke originally defined hydroponics as crop
growth in mineral nutrient solution, with no
solid medium for the roots. The distinction
between hydroponics and soil less culture of
plants has often been blurred. Soil less culture
is a broader term than hydroponics; it only
requires that no soils clay or silt is used. Note
that sand is a type of soil yet sand culture is
considered a type of soilless culture.
“Hydroponics is always soilless culture, but
not all soilless culture is hydroponics” [11].
5. METHODS
1. Solution culture
(A) Static solution culture
(B) Continuous flow solution culture
(C) Aeroponics
2. Medium culture
(A) Sub irrigation
(B) Top irrigation.
One of the most obvious decisions
hydroponicists have to make is which medium
they should use. Different media are
appropriate for different growing techniques.
Dennins, Hoagland and Daniel developed
several formulas for mineral nutrient solutions,
known as Hoagland solutions. Modified
Hoagland solutions are still used today. Knop
and other plant physiologists (a history of how
the hydroponic concept was conceived is
given by Steiner [23], showed conclusively
that K, Mg, Ca, Fe, and P along with S, C, N,
H, and O are all necessary for plant life. In
1940, Gericke wrote the book, Complete
Guide to Soil less Gardening [13].
Knop’s Nutrient Solution
Reagent (g/L)
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) 0.2
Calcium nitrate [Ca (NO3)2·4H2O] 0.8
Monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4) 0.2
Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4·7H2O) 0.2
Ferric phosphate (FePO4) 0.1
Diahydro, expanded clay-under the trademarks
‘Hydroton’ or LECA (light expanded clay
aggregate), rookwool, and coco peat also
known as coir or coco, perliteis a volcanoic
rock, vermiculture, sand, gravel, brick shards,
polystyrene paking peanuts and nutrient
solutions are available as a media for plant
growth [14].
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
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© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 29
Fig.1: Simple Hydroponics Wick System.
6. PRODUCTION OF PLANT ROOTS
SECONDARY METABOLITES
Plant secondary metabolites are largely used
for anticancer antiviral drugs. Hydroponics has
been used to grow entire plant in no sterile
conditions and to force root secondary
metabolite exudation in order to collect these
compounds from the nutrient solution in which
the plant has grown. The alkaloids like
hyoscyamine and scopolamine can be obtained
from living Datura innoxia mill. In the
production of plant secondary metabolites we
considered hydroponics as a system
comparable to bioreactors. It is known that
hydroponics which can lead to biomass
production and this culture method is largely
employed for legumes and flowers growth
[15].This technology has been called “Plant
Milking Technology (PMT)” because it
consists of forcing root exudation in order to
collect to liquid nutrient solution. An obvious
analogy to cow growing and milking thus
largely appear Hydroponics plants release
their compounds without loose of viability
[16].
7. HYDROPONICS IN NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands was formerly one of Europe’s
largest users of methyl bromide for soil
fumigation. Using this pesticide to control soil
borne pests on greenhouse grown crops such
as tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, cucumbers,
sweet peppers, eggplants, as well as well as
nursery crops and cut flowers (only a small
amount was used to fumigate soils in field
crops). By using alternative cropping methods,
such as hydroponics and soil less culture on
artificial substrates, growers in the
Netherlands have successfully eliminated the
risk of infection of soil borne pests, while
increasing crop yield and quality [17].
Hydroponics and soil less on artificial
substrates as an alternative to methyl bromide
soil fumigation. This method was frequently
used in Netherlands.
Air stone Air pump
Wick
Wick
Grow tray
and
growing media
Reservoir
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
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© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 30
8. HYDROPONICS IN SPACE
Hydroponics for space, helpful of purifying
water, maintaining a balance between oxygen
(O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in space
sections and providing food for astronauts is
being intensively researched [18–21].
Hydroponics growing in desert areas of the
world and in areas such as the Polar Regions
[6, 22– 25].
One of the early success of hydroponics
occurred on Wake Island, a rocky atoll in the
Pacific Ocean used as a refueling stop for Pan
American Airlines. Hydroponics was used
there in the 1930s to grow vegetables for
passengers. Hydroponics was a necessity on
Wake Island because there was no soil, and it
was prohibitively expense to airlift in fresh
vegetables. In the 1960s, Allen Cooper of
England developed the Nutrient Film
Technique. The land pavilion at Walt Disney
World’s EPCOT center opened in 1982 and
prominently features a variety of hydroponic
techniques. In recent decades, NASA has done
extensive hydroponic research for their
Control Ecological Life Support System
(CELSS). Hydroponics intended to take place
on Mars are using LED lighting to grown in
different color spectrums with much less heat
[26].
9. NASA AEROPONICS
Aeroponics is defined as a system where roots
are continuously or discontinuously in an
environment saturated with fine drops (a mist
or aerosol) of nutrient solution. The method
requires no substrate and entails growing
plants with their roots periodically wetted with
a fine mist of automized nutrients. Excellent
aeration is the main advantage of aeroponics
[27]. The first commercially available
aeroponic apparatus was manufactured and
marketed by GTi in 1983. It was known then
as the “Genesis Machine”. The Genesis
machine was marketed as “Genesis rooting
system”. At the time, the achievement was
revolutionary of terns of a developing
(artificial air culture) technology. The Genesis
machine simply connected to a water faucet
and an electrical outlet Aeroponic techniques
have been given special attention from NASA
since a mist is easier to handle than a liquid in
a zero gravity environment [28].
10. SPACE PLANTS
Plants were first taken into earth’s orbit in
1960s on two separate missions, Sputnik 4 and
Discover 17. NASA life support GAP
technology has done experiments with beans,
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
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© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 31
wheat, pea, and maize in space. Plant
experiments were later performed on a variety
of Soviet, American, and joint Soviet–
American missions, including Biosatellite 2,
Skylab 3, and 4, Apollo-Soyuz, Sputnik,
Vostok, and Zond. Some of the earliest
research results showed the effect of low
gravity on the orientation of roots and shoots
[29].
11. BIOCONTROLS IN SPACE
In 1996, NASA sponsored Stoner’s research
for a natural liquid biocontrol, known then as
organic disease control (ODC), that activates
plants to grow without the need for pesticides
as a means of control pathogens in a closed-
loop culture system. ODC is derived from
natural aquatic materials. In 1997, Stoner’s
biocontrol experiments were conducted by
NASA. The NASA experiments were
conducted to study only the benefits of the
biocontrol [30]. NASA low-mas inflatable
aoneroponics system (AIS) an inflatable low-
mass aeroponic system (AIS) for space and
earth for high performance food production is
a self-contained, self-supporting, inflatable
aeroponic crop production unit with integral
environmental systems for the control and
delivery of a nutrient/mist to the roots [31].
Aeroponic bio-pharming is used to grow
pharmaceutical medicine inside the plants. The
technology allows for completed containment
of allow remain inside a closed-loop facility.
As recently as 2005, GMO research at South
Dakota State University by Dr. Neil Reese
applied aeroponic to grow genetically
modified corn. Aeroponically grown
biopharma corn in 2005. Reese says
aeroponics buffer the ability to make
biopharming economically practical [32]. In
2006, the Ag University of Hanoi Vietnam in
joint effort with Stoner established the
postgraduate doctoral program in aeroponics.
Vietman joined the World Trade Organization
(WTO) in January 2007. The impact of
aeroponics in Vietman will be felt at the farm
level.
12. ADVANTAGES
Hydroponics is an indoor horticulture. It is
best to adapt hydroponics in areas where the
soil is not suitable for plant growth like
Antarctica and Space colonies. Hydroponics is
incredible amount of water; it uses as little as
1/20 the amount of as a regular farm to
produce same amount of food. Nutrient
solutions may be re-used in other areas such as
potted plants and turf management. Growing
medium can be reused and recycled. Culture
and technique requires less space. When
removing the crops, it can be packed and sold.
When alive to retain its freshness for a longer
time [33].
Due to rising awareness of chemicals and
contaminants in the food supply, people are
looking for safer alternatives. Fortunately,
Hydroponics is an exact fit for the consumer’s
new requirements. Plants will develop strong
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
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© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 32
resistance. There are also much more
consistent results when using Hydroponics,
because it is much a CEA. Because
hydroponics systems are inside greenhouses,
crops can by grown year-round, without being
effected by the weather. “Hydroponics gives
the farmer precise control of the plants and
often even the seasons” [2].
Growing smaller hydroponics gardens for
personal enjoyment and consumption is a
trend right nowdays. Home growing
Hydroponics kits are presently available that
start at about fifty dollars No soil means no
weeds or soil borne pets and disease. The root
systems stay smaller on hydroponically grown
plants, so the plant can concentrate its growth
energy on producing plant mass, rather that
roots. This can result in up to 30% faster
growth [34].
13. DISADVANTAGES
High setup costs initially, necessary skills, and
knowledge and the fact that not all plants can
be grown hydroponically. The failing of the
timers or pumps or clogging of the system can
lead to a quick death of plants. No doubt,
hydroponics is a promising technique but there
are still many problems left unresolved ,e.g.,
you can achieve great biomass increases
compared to “Normal” culture methods, but
unfortunately at the expense of concentrations
of secondary metabolites or/and resistance
against pathogens [35].
13. 21st CENTURY AEROPONICS
Aeroponics is an improvement in artificial life
support for non-damaging plant support, seed
germination, environmental control, and drip
irrigation techniques that have been used for
decades by traditional agriculturalists.
Advantages are excellent aeration is the main
advantage of Aeroponics. These techniques
have been given special attention from NASA;
since a mist is easier to handle than a liquid in
a zero gravity environment. One of the main
disadvantages was expensive [27].The
technology of Hydroponic systems is changing
rapidly with systems today producing yeilds
never before realized. The future for
hydroponics appears more positive today than
any time over the last 50 years. I sincerely
believe hydroponics will be fashionable again.
14. CONCLUSION
Hydroponics was method of growing plants
using mineral nutrients solutions instead of
soil. Aeroponic was a form of hydroponics
technique. Hydroponics and aeroponics plays
very important role for the commercial food
production. Hydroponics grown plants will get
perfectly balanced diet. In recent decades,
NASA has done extensive hydroponics
research for their Control Ecological Life
Support System (CELSS). NASA sponsored
Stoner’s research for natural liquid biocontrol,
known then as ODC, that activates plants to
grow without the need for pesticides as a
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 26-35.
___________________________________________________________________________
© STM Journals 2012. All Rights Reserved Page 33
means of control pathogens in a closed-loop
culture system. Aeroponic bio-pharming is
used to grow pharmaceutical medicine of
plants. The use of CEA was the growing of
off-season cucumbers under ‘’transparent
stone’’ (mica). Greenhouses are expanding
significantly in France, England, Europe, and
Asia during 1950s, and large hydroponics
system were developed in deserts of
California, Arizona, Abu Dhabi, and Iran.
Today hydroponics and aeroponics are used in
agriculture around the globe [3].
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