Hydroponics is a method of growing
plants using mineral nutrient solutions, without soil.
Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the
mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as
perlite, gravel, or mineral wool.
Plant physiology researchers discovered in
the 19th century 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. Hydroponics is also a standard
technique in biology research and teaching.
Authors Note:
I am very much interested in
hydroponics. If anyone of you has this same interest and
would like to share some tips and sources with me, kindly send
email to
ian tan. Thanks!
We hope to post more information on my
new hydroponics project soon.
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