: Growing plants in a water-based fertilizer solution is known as hydroponics :
In most cases, the body of a developing plant is immersed in soil underneath the stem. The decomposition of organic materials in the soil provides nutrients that nearby plants can take up and use to grow.
Although this is the best place for plants to thrive in nature, there are other options for agriculture and mass-produced foods. Hydroponics is an alternate technique that entails soaking or misting plant roots with water and vital nutrients.
The same surface area can be used to grow more plants without requiring more soil space. Because they may be packed closely together, agricultural areas can generate more food. You might think that more water is used because water is used in the procedure most of the time.
However, compared to normal soil growth, hydroponics requires a fraction of the water. In hydroponic systems, water is collected and utilized, in contrast to conventional methods that result in surplus water flowing off fields and into the environment.
- WHAT NUTRIENTS ARE USED IN HYDROPONICS?
For optimal growth, the majority of plants need 17 essential nutrients. In hydroponic systems, three of these—carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen—come from the water and air. These are macronutrients, meaning they are needed in greater amounts.
For plants to flourish in hydroponic systems, additional macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and nitrogen must be provided. Iron, manganese, zinc, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, copper, and nickel are among the micronutrients that plants require.
