Cultivos Hidroponicos

Definition and Basic Principles

Hydroponics is the scientific use of chemicals, organic and inorganic materials, and technology to grow pla
nts independently ofsoil. Solutions composed of water and dissolved minerals and elements provide essent
ial macronutrients and micronutrients andsupplement oxygen and light necessary for plant growth. Plant ro
ots absorb nutrients that are supplied through various methods.Some hydroponic systems involve suspendi
ng roots into liquid solutions. Other hydroponic techniques periodically wash or sprayroots with solutions. M
ethods also utilize containers filled with substrates, such as gravel, where roots are flooded with nutrientsol
utions. Hydroponics is practiced both in greenhouses, where temperatures and lighting can be regulated, a
nd outdoors, wheremilder climates pose few natural detriments to plants.
Hydroponics enables agriculturists to grow crops continually without relying on weather,precipitation, and ot
her factors associated with natural growing seasons. These systemspermit agricultural production in other
wise unsuitable settings for crop cultivation suchas congested cities, deserts, and mountains. Hydroponics
is convenient, producingfoods in all seasons. Plants can be grown closely together because root growth do
esnot spread like soil-based plant roots extending to seek nutrients and water.Agriculturists can grow crops
that are not indigenous to areas, such as tropical fruits.Growth typically occurs more quickly with hydroponi
cs than in soil, because plantsinvest energy in maturing rather than competing for resources, resulting in la
rge yields.Many hydroponic systems recycle water not absorbed by roots to use for otherpurposes. Crops c
ultivated with hydroponic systems are usually safer for consumersthan field-grown crops because their exp
osure to soil-transmitted diseases has beenminimized.
Negative aspects of hydroponics include costs associated with acquiring equipment andsupplies. Automati
on and computerized systems require substantial investments inmachinery, software, and training personn
el to operate them.
Background and History
Records indicate people cultivated plants using water instead of soil in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and R
ome. Aztecs in Mexicoinnovated floating barges, chinampas, for growing food because they lacked suitable
agricultural land. In the mid-nineteenthcentury, German botanist Julius von Sachs and German agrochemis
t Wilhelm Knop experimented with combining minerals withwater to nourish plants.
During the 1920s, University of California, Berkeley, plant nutrition professor Dennis R. Hoagland studied h
ow roots absorbnutrients. William F. Gericke, also a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, culti
vated tomatoes in tanks of mineral-richsolution and discussed his research in a February, 1937, Science ar
ticle, noting colleague William A. Setchell referred to thatprocess as hydroponics, representing Greek voca
bulary: hydro (water) and ponos (work).
In the 1940's, the United States military utilized hydroponics to provide sustenance to World War II soldiers
in the Pacific. Oil companies built hydroponic gardens onCaribbean islands to feed employees extracting n
atural resources in that region. The United States Army established a hydroponics branch to supply troops
servingin the Korean War in the early 1950's, growing eight million pounds of food.
By mid-century, researchers began incorporating plastic equipment in hydroponic systems. Engineers inno
vated better pumps and devices, automating somehydroponic processes with computers. By the 1970s ne
w methods included drip-irrigation systems and the nutrient film technique (NFT) created by English scienti
stAllen Cooper, which helped commercial hydroponics expand globally. The United Nations' Food and Agri
culture Organization (FAO) funded hydroponic programs inareas experiencing food crises. Scientists contin
ued devising new techniques, such as aerohydroponics, in the late twentieth century.

Hydroponics. Hydroponic processes represent examples of controlled environment agriculture in which pl

ant cultivation involves technology such as greenhousesenabling growers to stabilize conditions. Most hydr
oponic systems function with basic components that supply oxygen and nutrients necessary to sustain plan
ts untilthey have matured for harvest. Electrical or solar-powered lights, fans, heaters, and pumps regulate t
emperatures, ventilation for plant respiration, water flow, andphotosynthesis impacting plant growth. Each h
ydroponic system incorporates variations of equipment and methods according to growers' resources and
goals.Styrofoam, wood, glass, and plastic are materials used to construct hydroponic systems.
Basic hydroponic procedures involve placing seeds in substrates that consist of organic materials such as
coconut fibers, rice hulls, sawdust, peat moss or inorganicmediums including gravel, pumice, perlite, rock
wool, or vermiculite. After roots emerge during germination, growers keep seedlings in substrates or remov
e themdepending on which hydroponic method is selected for cultivation. Roots undergo varying durations
of exposure to nutrient solutions to absorb macronutrients andmicronutrients. Most hydroponic processes u
tilize either an open, or non-recirculating, system, or a closed system, referred to as recirculating, dependin
g on whethernutrient solution contacts roots once and is discarded or is kept for consistent or repeated use
.
Water-Culture Techniques. These hydroponic methods, which are frequently used to cultivate plants that
quickly attain maturity, involve roots constantly beingsuspended in a nutrient solution. Water-culture hydrop
onic techniques are often utilized to grow lettuce crops. For the raft culture technique, growers place plants
onplatforms drilled with holes to pull roots through so roots can be submerged in pools of nutrient solution
on which the platforms float. In the dynamic root floatingtechnique, roots closest to the plant are kept dry so
they can supply oxygen to the plant. The lower roots are constantly exposed to nutrient solutions and absor
bthose minerals and elements to nourish the plant.
Pumps and air stones oxygenate nutrient solutions so that roots are aerated. Lighting is essential for plants
to undergo photosynthesis above the solution surface.Growers monitor nutrient solutions' pH levels and the
presence of any algae, which might harm roots, interfere with their adsorption of nutrients, and impede pla
ntgrowth. Growers also replenish fluids lost to evaporation.
Nutrient Solution Culture (NSC) Methods. Several forms of NSC are utilized to feed plants. Continuousflow NSC involves nutrient solutions being poured into atrough and constantly moving through roots. Nutrie
nt solutions contact roots less frequently in intermittent-flow NSC. The drip NSC technique delivers nutrient
solutions through tubing and emitters that dispense water on the substrate near roots. Some drip systems r
ecycle nutrient solution. The wick system utilizes stringsthat extend from substrates to a reservoir filled with
nutrient solution.
In the ebb-and-flow method, nutrient solution contacts roots in cycles after flooding trays containing roots a
nd substrates then draining and returning to a tank to storefor additional delivery. Timers control pump mec
hanisms, which move nutrient solutions. Aquaponics systems transport water from ponds or greenhouses
where fishtanks are kept to greenhouses where plants are grown so that wastes from the fish can provide n
utrients for plants.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). This closed system continually pumps nutrient solutions into a channel pl
aced at an angle in which roots hang under plantssupported from above by platforms or other equipment.
No substrates are used. The solution contacting roots is delivered as a watery film to assure roots will recei
vesufficient oxygen. The hydroponic trough system uses a reservoir, which includes a filtering device to stra
in contaminants from nutrient solutions. Resembling NFTmethods, aeroponics does not rely on substrates.
Sprayers attached to timers continually dispense nutrient solutions on roots suspended in air below plants.
Applications and Products
Nutrition. Hydroponics enables ample production of food supplies that meet nutritional needs for vitamins,
antioxidants, and amino acids crucial for maintainingpeople's bodies. These techniques aid hunger relief in
arid regions where climate change is associated with expanding desertification and loss of arable land,thre
atening food security. Hydroponic cultivation provides both rural and urban populations access to affordabl
e, fresh, healthy food despite loss of access totraditional agricultural supplies due to political, economic, or
military crises; natural disasters; or famines. Various hydroponic techniques can be applied to producecrop
s with increased levels of calcium, potassium, and other elements essential to sustain health. Hydroponic p
rocesses can be designed to grow food withappealing tastes, textures, and appearances.

Agribusiness. Hydroponics generates profits for commercial sellers of crops, manufacturers of hydroponic
equipment, nutrient solutions, and supplies andwholesalers and retailers that distribute hydroponic mercha
ndise to consumers. Agribusinesses create and market hydroponic greenhouses of varying sizes,including
small growing containers such as AeroGarden for use inside homes, to consumers. Many florists grow stoc
k cultivated with hydroponics at their stores.Internationally, the number of hydroponic businesses has expa
nded on all continents except Antarctica, contributing to countries' economies. By 2008, AdvancedNutrient
s, one of the most successful hydroponic businesses internationally, sold its merchandise to customers fro
m forty-one countries. Some hydroponiccompanies develop and sell smart phone applications to perform h
ydroponic functions, such as General Hydroponics' calculator for preparing nutrient solutions.
Education. Students at various levels, from elementary through graduate school, often study hydroponics i
n science classes. Some courses may discusshydroponics to explain basic scientific principles such as ho
w roots absorb nutrients, while others may focus on special topics such as genetics. Students frequentlyinv
estigate aspects of hydroponics for science-fair competitions or projects for the Future Farmers of America.
Teachers instructing Advanced Placement biologycourses often encourage students to develop hydroponic
systems to comprehend concepts associated with plant growth and nutrition. Some school cafeterias usefo
ods grown on their campuses or students sell products cultivated with hydroponic techniques for fundraisers. Universities sometimes award funds to students'innovative hydroponic projects, especially those wi
th humanitarian applications. The Denver Botanic Gardens and other botanical centers offer hydroponic cla
sses.
Military and Exploration. Military troops benefit from the establishment of hydroponic systems near bases
and battlefields to produce fresh vegetables for rationsregardless of soil and climate conditions in those are
as. Hydroponic applications for military usage enable crews on vessels undergoing lengthy sea voyages to
grow foods when they are between ports. Veterans with hydroponic experience or who complete Veterans
Sustainable Agriculture Training or similar programs areoften sought out for employment in that field. The a
bility to grow foods without soil nourishes people traveling by submarine, whether for military or scientific re
asons.Workers in remote locations, such as off-shore oil and natural-gas rigs, eat meals incorporating hydr
oponic produce grown at those sites.
Scientists conducting research at Antarctic stations rely on hydroponics for sustenance and as a method to
recycle, purify, and store water. The South Pole FoodGrowth Chamber, designed by the Controlled Environ
ment Agriculture Center at the University of Arizona, uses NFT methods and is automated with an Arguscli
mate-control system. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funds projects such as C
ontrolled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS), inwhich hydroponic plants remove carbon dioxide and
pollutants while producing food on spacecraft. Researchers are investigating using hydroponics for futurem
issions of long duration.
Urban Planning. Some twenty-first-century architecture incorporates hydroponics as a strategy to feed inc
reasing populations, particularly in urban areas. Rooftopsare popular sites for hydroponic systems in place
s where land is unavailable for gardens. These urban farms grow large yields of basic vegetable crops and
supplyfresh produce to residents who might otherwise not have access to those foods. Vertical farming tec
hniques inspired proposals applying hydroponics. In New YorkCity, Dickson Despommier, a Columbia Univ
ersity microbiologist, introduced his idea to renovate almost two thousand empty structures with hydroponic
equipment.The Seoul Commune 2026 in South Korea presented another vertical farming proposal. This pr
oject will involve covering skyscrapers, some fifty floors high, withsupports for plants. Nutrients delivered by
fog machines and irrigation technology to roots will nourish plants growing on those garden buildings.
Tourism. Some hotels, especially in exotic locales, apply hydroponics for agricultural and aesthetic uses.
On Anguilla in the Caribbean, the CuisinArt Resort andSpa grows hydroponic herbs, vegetables, and flowe
rs. Guests can tour areas with hydroponic equipment to see where food served in the hotel's restaurant is g
rown.These businesses sometimes sell hydroponic products, often identified by resorts' brands, to cruise s
hips docking nearby or to markets. Visitors can tour hydroponicdisplays at the Hampshire Hydroponicum in
England and Epcot's Land Pavilion in Orlando, Florida. Zoos occasionally utilize hydroponic processes to c
ultivate grainand grass to feed animals.
Careers and Course Work
Students interested in professions associated with hydroponics can complete diverse educational program
s to pursue their career goals. Many entry-levelhydroponic positions are available to people with high scho
ol educations or associate's degrees. Some employers seeking qualified workers to build and maintainhydr

oponic systems expect candidates to have completed basic horticultural courses at technical schools, com
munity colleges, or universities, preparing them tocultivate plants and assemble equipment. Experience wo
rking for landscaping businesses, farms, or other positions that involve tending plants enhances one'sempl
oyability. One can sometimes find available positions at gardening businesses that use hydroponics to gro
w crops and ornamental plants to sell to consumersand markets. Resorts, botanical gardens, and theme p
arks hire people with educational and work experience to establish and maintain hydroponic gardens.
Government, academic, and industrial employers that staff scientific and technological positions focusing o
n hydroponics usually require the minimum of a bachelorof science degree in a related field. Candidates ca
n acquire basic knowledge for plant cultivation by studying horticulture, botany, agriculture, or subjects appl
icableto hydroponics. Those seeking research positions typically need to earn advanced degreesa master
's or doctoratein relevant subjects, acquiring expertise that willbenefit the quality of their employers' servic
es and hydroponic products. Agricultural engineering, computer science, or robotics courses prepare empl
oyees forpositions designing hydroponic structures, machinery, and automation software. Candidates with
advanced education or hydroponic experience have credentials formany positions as administrators or edu
cators in schools, experiment stations, extension services, or government agencies.
Social Context and Future Prospects
Throughout the twenty-first century, hydroponics will continue to provide humanitarian and commercial ben
efits. The Hydroponic Merchants Association stated in2004 that hydroponic greenhouses grew 55,000 acre
s of vegetables internationally, of which 5,800 acres in North America produced tomatoes, peppers, andcu
cumbers valued at $2.4 billion. That organization estimated the hydroponic industry will continue growing te
n percent yearly because of increasing demand andadvances in hydroponic technology. Industry experts s
uggest that hydroponics, universal to diverse cultures, will continue to expand for several reasons, includin
gdepletion of arable lands caused by natural disasters and global warming, expenses associated with mac
hinery and operation of conventional agriculture; andpublic disapproval of bioengineering associated with fi
eld crops.
The early twenty-first-century economic recession motivated consumers to use hydroponic equipment beca
use many cannot afford produce sold in stores. Somedomestic hydroponic growers sell their products to ea
rn money while they are unemployed or to supplement incomes. Many people practice hydroponics whengr
ocery stores in their communities close because of financial problems, resulting in those consumers lackin
g access to fresh food. Hydroponics presents food-security solutions to the increasing population, which is
estimated to reach nine billion people by 2050. With the legalization of medicinal and, in some cases,recre
ational marijuana in states such as Colorado, Washington, and Massachusetts, a common and once cland
estine use for hydroponics technology has been lenta newfound legitimacy. While specific statistics on hydr
oponic use in the home or commercial growth of medical or recreational marijuana are difficult to obtain, an
October 29, 2010, CNBC story on the hydroponics industry and its relationship with marijuana cites one De
nver, Colorado, garden center owner as estimating that80 to 90 percent of the hydroponic equipment her st
ore sells is used to grow marijuana. Some experts speculate hydroponics will eventually surpass mainstrea
magriculture to produce the most food worldwide.