Aeroponic Agriculture: The Innovative Technique Of “Cultivation” Without Soil.
Is it possible to farm without land? By definition, and if we think about traditional farming methods, we would say no. Cultivating means caring for the land – and in some cases a plant – so as to provide them with the conditions necessary to produce fruit. Yet it is also possible to promote the growth of plants even without the traditional method of cultivation, according to which the plant must be rooted in the soil, then watered and fertilized: this is an innovative and revolutionary technique called ” agriculture aeroponic “.
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image credit: Wikipedia
This agricultural technique is particularly appreciated by restaurateurs because it allows them to cultivate even without soil: imagine growing lettuce or aromatic herbs without needing soil or changing the soil in pots. Thanks to this technique, plants grow without their roots being in the ground. Instead, the roots “float” in the air and the plant grows in an artificial environment, such as a greenhouse. Instead of feeding on the water absorbed by the soil, plants feed by spraying water enriched with mineral fertilizers directly on the roots.. The plants are then suspended in the air, supported by perforated panels and PVC structures, and are able to quickly absorb all substances contained in the spray water.
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image credit: USA Today Life/Youtube
The plant is therefore in a closed and isolated environment , which protects it from agents that could hinder its development. This is not the first “alternative” technique of growing plants: there is also hydroponics, in which the plant is immersed in nutrients. Unlike hydroponics, aeroponics allows the plant to come into contact with air. It is also a sustainable technique because it saves water: after being sprayed, it is recovered and then put back into circulation for reuse.
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image credit: USA Today Life/Youtube
Like any other culture technique, aeroponic culture therefore has advantages and disadvantages . One of the downsides is that this technique is not applicable to tall plants or plants that need a lot of space to grow, such as corn or wheat.
source used: Tower Farms