Hydroponics
is crop production with mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil containing silt and clay. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as sand, gravel or rockwool. A variety of techniques exist.
Plant physiology researchers discovered in the 1800s that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to plant growth. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics, but some will do better than others. It is also very easy to do; the activity is often undertaken by very young children with such plants as watercress. Hydroponics is also a standard technique in biology research and teaching and a popular hobby. There is little commercial hydroponic crop production because it is a more expensive method than traditional agriculture.
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AQUAPONICSAquaponics Growing Systems is simply the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil).
Hydroponics is growing plants in a water and nutrient solution, without soil. The solution is created by adding the elements a plants needs to water, which is fed directly to the plant’s roots. In some hydroponic systems the roots are in a growing medium which keeps them moist, aerated and helps to support the plant. Hydroponics provides the plant with the ideal water and nutrient ratios and optimum conditions for growth for In aquaculture, the water quickly becomes nutrient rich due to the fish digesting their food and excreting waste.
The waste water is usually filtered and/or disposed of to keep the tank water free of toxic buildups.Koi and lettuce sharing a tank. The lettuce is grown on a float on the surface of the water. A 500 gallon tank feeding NFT channels in which fancy lettuce and herbs are grown.....A 500 gallon tank feeding trays filled with perlite in. Lettuce and herbs are grown in the tray.....With about 15 minutes of daily maintenance per day, an aquaponic system can provide fresh fish and vegetables year-round. Fantastic!
In
aquaponics, the fish waste provides a food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the fish. This creates a mini ecosystem where both plants and fish can thrive. Aquaponics is the ideal answer to a
fish farmers problem of disposing of nutrient rich water and a hydroponic growers need for nutrient rich water.. hydroponic growers can eliminate the cost and labor involved in mixing a fertilizer solution and commercial aquaculturists may be able to drastically reduce the amount of filtration needed in recirculating fish culture. Although there is currently a limited number of commercial
aquaponic operations, many people are expressing a strong interest in this intensive method of food production.Although the practices of
fish farming and soil less plant culture have been traced to ancient times, the combination of the two is quite new. Research in aquaponics began in the 1970’s and continues today.
Several Universities worldwide are dedicating resources to further the technology. At the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr. James Rakocy and his associates have developed a commercially viable aquaponics system designed for use in the tropics where natural fish populations have been depleted and most agricultural products must be imported.
On a hobby scale, aquaponics has the potential to catch on quickly. A home aquarium, with ornamental or food fish, can be combined with a mini garden, growing herbs, vegetables or flowers. A hobby system can serve as a beautiful show piece or a food production system, depending on the size. Many backyard gardeners are setting up systems to grow hundreds of pounds of fish and all the fresh vegetables a family needs.
If you are interested in hobby aquaponics, check out the book Desktop Aquaponics. In educational applications, aquaponics is an excellent model of natures biologicr students, we offer a
Student's Guide to Building an Aquaponic System. For educators, we have a comprehensive Aquaponics Curriculum Package, complete with an Educator's Guide, Student Manual, Transparencies, a CD-Rom and a subscription to the Aquaponics Journal.
The Aquaponics Journal is a bimonthly publication covering aquaponics. Each issue offers interesting, informative features on commercial, hobby, research, and educational applications of aquaponics. For a thorough overview of aquaponics, we offer the recently released "
Introduction to Aquaponics" Growing Systems
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