Soil cultivation and hydroponic cultivation have differences. Also, there are different methods for growing plants and agricultural products in greenhouses. The farmers can choose one of the methods based on the type of needs and the type of plants under cultivation.
Hydroponic cultivation often use waterfor the growth and development of plants. While in traditional greenhouses, the roots of the plants are planted in the soil and grow in this way. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and in this article, we are trying to examine their advantages and disadvantages in addition to introducing both methods. Currently, hydroponic cultivation is used to grow all kinds of products, and many greenhouse owners use this method to grow all kinds of plants in the best quality.
Hydroponics means water cultivation and is a combination of two Latin words Ponics and Hydro, meaning water. In the hydroponic method, the roots of the plants are fed through the nutrients in the water, and there is no need to use soil. The water used in hydroponic culture or culture water must be enriched with minerals and vitamins. This solution usually contains minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and other vitamins.
Nutrient solutions in water are the same fertilizers used in soil cultivation, but they enter the roots of plants through water and provide their nutritional needs. The water culture method is suitable for growing all kinds of plants and agricultural products and is widely used. Some products such as strawberries, tomatoes , cucumbers , lettuce and spinach are among the best types of plants. Sunshine has a completed solution of hydroponic cultivation systems for different types of plants.
The water culture method has countless advantages that we will examine some of them in this section.
√ Save water
By using the water culture method in the production of plant products, up to 90% of water consumption can be saved.
√ High quality products
The products that are produced using the water culture method are very high quality and customer friendly. The size, color and taste of fruits grown in hydroponic greenhouses have much higher standards than other methods.
√ No need to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides
By using the water cultivation method, farmers will no longer need to use poisons and pesticides, and side costs of the greenhouse will be saved.
√ The ability to cultivate plant products in a dry and unsuitable climate
Water culture provides this opportunity for greenhouse owners to produce and grow any type of crop in any weather condition.
√ Reducing the possibility of spreading parasitic diseases
Due to the growth and development of plants in an organic environment and inside water chambers, there is no possibility of growth and transmission of fungal and plant diseases in water culture method.
High initial investment
Equipment and technical knowledge are needed to build a hydroponic greenhouse. Therefore, the initial costs are slightly higher than other methods.
× It takes time to return capital
Hydroponic greenhouses require a longer period of time for a return on investment.
× Technical and specialized skills and knowledge
To build and maintain a hydroponic greenhouse in a successful and correct way, technical knowledge and experienced people are needed.
× Unsuitability of cultivation water for the growth of some plants
Some plants need to be planted in soil for high quality growth. Therefore, it is better to use soil cultivation method to grow these types of plants.
Advantages and disadvantages of using soil cultivation method
The use of soil cultivation system in agriculture and cultivation of plant products has advantages that we will introduce some of them in this section.
√ Low start-up cost
The production and breeding of crops in the soil cultivation method requires less specialized equipment than other cultivation methods. Therefore, costs are saved.
√ Beautiful view
Visually, seeing a garden full of lush plants will be beautiful and heartwarming for the audience.
× High water consumption
The water consumption in the soil method is almost 10 times the water consumption in the hydroponic method.
×Pests and insects
Plants and agricultural products that grow in the soil are attacked by insects and pests. This causes a decline in the quality of agricultural products.
× Weeds
In the method of soil cultivation, the growth of weeds reduces the quality of agricultural products. Weeds absorb sunlight and feed on nutrients in the soil.
Need a large space for cultivation
The space required for growing plant products in the soil cultivation method is more than other greenhouse methods.
Difference Between soil culture and Hydroponic culture
Each method has advantages and disadvantages, For example, the costs of building and setting up greenhouses and gardens are different. The comparison of soil cultivation with hydroponic cultivation method can be evaluated based on the following factors.
Space
The amount of space required for growing plant products in the water cultivation method is much less than the soil cultivation method. In the water culture method, plants can be placed vertically and in layers on top of each other and products can be produced in a very large volume.
Water consumption
In the water culture method, the roots of plants are placed in water and the water used can be recycled; Compared to the soil cultivation method, which requires watering every day, water consumption is definitely saved by 90% in the water cultivation method compared to soil cultivation.
Plant growth time
The growing time of plants in the hydroponic cultivation method is much less than the soil cultivation method. Also, in the hydroponic culture method, you can harvest the crops several times during the year.
pest
The plants that are kept in the hyroponic culture method are safe from pests and diseases. But the products that are kept by the method of soil cultivation are always exposed to the dangers of pests.
Chemical poisons
Most of the farmers use chemical pesticides and poisons to preserve the agricultural products that grow in the soil. Now, it is interesting to know that all chemical poisons and pesticides, in addition to harming nature, also cost a lot. On the other hand, there is no need to use any kind of poisons and pesticides to grow crops using water culture method.
energy consumption
The hydroponics method requires electricity to provide light and energy for greenhouse equipment. This may increase electricity consumption in hydroponic greenhouses.
