Aeroponics vs. Hydroponics

Hydroponics and aeroponics are highly popular techniques that are used to grow plants without the use of soil. The major difference between these two techniques is that hydroponics uses a mineral nutrient solution to feed the plants. Aeroponics, on the other hand, does not employ the use of water in the cultivation of plants. In aeroponics, the plants are supplied with a nutrient spray at the roots, and are cultivated in an enclosed misty environment. The plants have all the required oxygen, nutrients and water they need.

Both of these methods are based on the fact that soil is only a medium that holds the nutrients required by plants. By itself, soil is not essential to the growth of plants. Soilless planting is highly popular in arid climates and places like deserts, where the natural soil is unfavorable to agriculture. Both these methods have their advantages and drawbacks, but aeroponics is considered superior to hydroponics because of several factors.

Environmental Set Up

In hydroponics, plants are supplied with a solution made by mixing water and essential minerals. The roots of the plant may be placed in the solution itself, or may be supported by inert media such as gravel or perlite. In aeroponics, the plant’s roots are separated from the body by a carrier or holder, and a fine mist of mineral nutrients is sprayed on the roots. An automatic timer is usually used, and the nutrient mist is sprayed at regular intervals. Any of the spray that is not absorbed by the roots is collected and recycled back to the sprayer or pump. Most often, plants are developed without any supporting medium around the roots. Though the set up costs for both techniques are quite high, operation costs for hydroponics systems tend to be higher.

Medium

The absence of a medium in aeroponics can be a major disadvantage in case of a failed setup. If the nutrients sprayer is not functioning properly, your plants will show adverse reactions very fast. In such cases, hydroponics is usually used as a backup.

Crop Yields

Though hydroponics is far superior to conventional farming, scientific studies have shown that the use of aeroponics results in even better yields. A major factor is the better aeration available to roots, as compared to hydroponics, where the nutrient solution can only contain a limited amount of air. Also, plants grown using aeroponics have a much better exposure to carbon-dioxide for photosynthesis.

Disease Occurrence

Hydroponics uses a high humidity environment, which is conducive to the growth of certain bacteria and pathogens. In aeroponics, the infestation of plants is minimized because each nutrient spray is fresh and sterile, as compared to the hydroponics mineral solution that can become infected over time. Contact between plants is also minimal in aeroponics, thereby preventing the spread of diseases. In aeroponics, gardeners have greater control over the growing environment, and properly maintained plants can be free from diseases and pests.

Environmental Benefits

Hydroponics and aeroponics are both highly beneficial to the environment, because of the reduced requirement for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, aeroponics is superior in this aspect, because of the reduced water requirement as compared to hydroponics. The water requirement is less than half of that for hydroponics. Also, plants grown using aeroponics require only about 25 percent of the nutrient supply as compared to hydroponics systems.