Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions (water containing fertilizers) with or without the use of an artificial medium (sand, gravel, vermiculite, rock wool, perlite, peat moss. coir, or sawdust) to provide mechanical support.

Advantages of Hydroponics

1. No soil is needed
2. The water stays in the system and can be reused- thus, lower water costs
3. It is possible to control the nutrition levels in their entirety- thus, lower nutrition costs
4. No nutrition pollution is released into the environment because of the controlled system
5. Stable and high yields
6. Pests and diseases are easier to get rid of than in soil because of the container’s mobility

Disadvantages of Hydroponics

1. The hydroponic conditions (presence of fertilizer and high humidity) create an environment that stimulates salmonella growth.
2. Another disadvantage is pathogens attacks including damp-off due to Verticillium wilt caused by the high moisture levels associated with hydroponics and overwatering of soil based plants.
3. Also, many hydroponic plants require different fertilizers and containment system.