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:
