hydroponics powerpoint

Hydroponics

Objective: Introduce students to growing plants in nutrient solutions

What is hydroponics? Practice of growing plants in _______

solutions with or without the use of _______ medium to provide mechanical support

Types Liquid systems – no support medium for roots Aggregate systems – have a solid medium of

support: _________, sand, gravel, vermiculite Open - nutrient solution not reused after

delivery to plant roots Closed – surplus solution is recovered,

replenished, and recycled

Hydroponics – pros and cons

Pros Eliminates soil

borne ________ Allows control of

water and nutrients Higher quality

plants with ______ and higher yields

Able to grow vegetables in areas where otherwise is impossible

Cons Management is

_______ High costs if

heating & artificial lights are needed

_______ kcal for 1 kg tomatoes in greenhouse versus 1,865 kcal to ship 5000 km

Equipment expense

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The floating Gardensof the Aztecs of Mexico

History of hydroponics Controlled

environment agriculture (CEA) first used for growing ________ under mica in 1st century

Greenhouses & experimental hydroponics appeared in _______ and England during 17th century

History of hydroponics US 1925-1935

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station improved sand culture method

California Agricultural Experiment Station used _______ and sand culture methods for large scale production

__________& Arnon develop complete nutrient solution

History of hydroponics Some use of

hydroponics on _________ Islands during World War II

______ popularized nutriculture (hydroponics) in the post-war period

History of hydroponics High energy costs

in early 1970’s caused widespread ___________

Late 1960’s: nutrient _______ technique developed

Types of hydroponic systems Ebb and flow systems Continuous drip systems __________ systems Nutrient film systems ______ systems Water culture

Ebb and flow systems

Floods growth tray with nutrient solution

Drains solution into reservoir

Pump and timer failures can dry out ______

Uses medium such as _________ or rock wool to retain water

Continuous drip systems Most popular Nutrient solution

dripped out to based of plant

Aeroponic systems Nutrient solution

sprayed onto roots in ______ chambers where roots are suspended in _____

Used at Epcot Center at Disney World

Nutrient film systems

Constant flow of nutrient solution through growing tray

Solution ________ Roots are inside

bag and hang in air when no solution recycled

Wick systems Simplest design Nutrient solution

drawn into growing area through _____

Large plants use nutrient solution faster than wick can provide

Water culture systems

Plants grow on platform with roots suspended into solution

_______ bubbled into nutrient solution to provide oxygen for roots

Does not work well with _____ plants or long-term growing

Growing vegetables and herbs Vegetables

Common – lettuce, _______, cucumber Rapid growing, good taste, high yield Tomato sometimes lack _______ Why?

Herbs Common – basil, sage, ________, mint Lack smell and taste