Did you know that it´s possible to cultivate plants without soil? These innovative techniques are hydroponics and aeroponics.
Hydroponics consists in growing plants into porous materials, such as sand, pebbles, coconut husk or mineral wool (sponges made from natural or synthetic minerals). These materials allow the roots of the plant to receive water and the nutrient solutions they need to grow.
If you want to try hydroponics at home, this link will provide you with the basic information to start:
In aeroponics the roots of the plants hang in the open air. Farmers spray the roots by providing the plants with all the nutrients they need to grow.
The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (Neiker-Tecnalia) has developed a project in collaboration with Newco, a company specialized in producing potatoes. They have obtained the first harvests of aeroponic potatoes.
If you want to get more information about aeroponic potatoes, visit the following links:
Paqui,
ReplyDeleteI know very little about agriculture, but this is really interesting. I also like the photos.
Kelly
Yes, I find this subject very interesting. I knew hydroponics, but I was very surprised with this news about aeroponic potatoes. I listened about this on the radio and I made a small research on the net. They grow the potatoes in complete darkness, because it´s better for the plants. They have tested the quality of the potatoes and it´s high and they have also discovered that this system allows them to control the process of growth with great detail ant to prevent the possible problems.
ReplyDeleteThese farming technologies are being used in the International Space Station to provide the astronauts with fresh vegetables.
All these improvements make me think in the big contrasts of our planet: on one hand, many people living from subsistence agriculture and depending on the weather or the fertility of the soil totally and on the other hand, this science -fiction technology in the richest countries. It´s not a fair game :(