category: agriculture

Hydroponic farming

Hydroponic farming is a high-tech growing method, where vegetables are grown without soil. The roots of the plants are grown in a nutrient solution or in a medium such as perlite or gravel. Hydroponic farming is a standard farming method in the Netherlands where crops are grown in hot houses on rock wool. The required nutrients are injected into the rock wool. Temperature, water supply, light and pesticides are calculated and regulated by computers. This method leads to higher yields, while using fewer pesticides. Since the vegetables grow in a closed system, no pests or diseases may enter or leave the system.