Advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic systems
Sustainable agriculture has been an issue of real concern over the last years, which is why hydroponics has become a really popular trend. For those who haven’t heard of the method so far, it is a way of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions. There are many places around the world where the soil is not favourable for growing the desired crops and hydroponic systems take care of that issue. Not only that, but this method can also be used in roof top gardening, which is very popular in urban areas, as the space there is limited. Those interested in this type of agriculture or farming need to rely on certain tools and systems to be able to grow the desired crops and their first step should be investing in hydroponics kits, which can be found in specialised stores or online platforms, there being a wide range of starter kits to choose from.
As mentioned above, the main advantage of hydroponic
systems is that no soil is needed, therefore there is no crop
limitation, which usually appears because of diseased soil, eroded soil
or wrong type of soil. Not only that, but water can also be recycled,
which means that these systems are advantageous in desert climates and
areas that are prone to drought. Another advantage of using hydroponics
is that it is more environmentally friendly than any other agricultural
method, because there is no nutrition waste. This is possible due to
water run-off, however the downside is that this can eventually lead to
eutrophication. Because there is no soil, the plants don’t have to use
too much energy finding nutrients in it and, in exchange, all this
energy is invested into its growth. To that extent, the yields are more
stable and grow much higher, as not only do the plants not waste energy
on finding nutrients, but they neither have to compete with weed,
receiving food and water straight to the roots. The soil is an
environment where bacteria growth is favoured, so the absence of soil
means that there are significantly less chances of disease, which is a
great advantage and many people buy hydroponics kits with the conviction
that their crops will grow healthier and stronger in such systems.
As far as disadvantages are concerned, hydroponic
systems are quite expensive to start up. The start up cost is so high
due to the fact that certain equipment is required and procuring it can
be expensive, even if you buy hydroponics kits online. However, the high
initial cost is balanced on the long run, due to the fact that the use
of advanced hydroponics is cheaper on long term. Another disadvantage,
if it can be called that, is the fact that hydroponics only works with
uncontaminated water, which can be really difficult to come by in some
areas and regions. The bottom line is that this method of growing crops
really is the future of sustainable agriculture and, although it might
still have some downsides, its advantages significantly surpass them.
To learn more about hydroponic systems or to find hydroponics kits, please follow these links.