Question

How are plants grown using hydroponic technology?

Answer 1

Almost all terrestrial plants are dependent on soil for their growth and development. Soil is required by plants for in-taking water and nutrients. Modern technology has developed a technique for growing plants that involves only water and nutrients. This is known as hydroponic technology.

Complete answer:
The term “hydroponics” is originated from the English word ‘hydro-’ meaning water and ‘-ponics’ from the Greek root ‘ponein’ meaning to labor or toil. In this method, plants are grown without the use of soil and with the use of water.
In hydroponic technology, plants are grown by soaking the roots in the nutrient medium containing dissolved oxygen. The roots are supported by different substrates like gravel, coir, wood, pumice, rice husks etc. The following are some of the plants that are grown using hydroponic technology: peppers, lettuces, tomatoes, strawberries and cucumbers.
The types of hydroponic systems are as follows:
1. Water culture
2. Wick system
3. Drip
4. Aeroponic system
5. Nutrient film technology and
6. Ebb and flow.

Additional information:
Hydroponics involves a nutrient medium that acts as fertilizer to the plants. It is made up of minerals such as Magnesium, Sulphur, Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Zinc and Boron. The nutrient medium should not contain minerals such as Sodium, Fluoride, and Chloride which might disturb the growth of plants.

Note:
Hydroponics involve plants that are grown without soil. This proves to be more advantageous for cultivating plants. In this method, water is used more efficiently, more productivity is gained from a small space, the process is cost-efficient, required nutrients needed for a particular plant can be used and the use of pesticide and chemical fertilizers are reduced.