Plant Health And The Environment

Introduction

Growing crops hydroponically is an alternative to traditional soil farming methods (7). Hydroponics systems consist of a water-based solution enriching in nutrients, without the use soil (2). Commonly an artificial medium is used to provide support for the plant as soil is not being used (2). Hydroponic systems started in 1920 and have dramatically evolved in a variety of designs (2). Interest in hydroponics is rapidly increasing and is very important due to the growing demand need for maximizing food production (7). Hydroponic systems can be classified as either open systems where the nutrient solution is constantly replaced and not recycled, or closed systems where the nutrient solution is recycled (2). There are many types of hydroponic systems such as “the wick, drip, ebb-floe, water culture, nutrient film technique, aeroponic, and windowfarm systems” (2). All of these are variations of a hydroponic system just customized in a different way to achieve different types of circulation. Hydroponic systems definitely have many advantages such as conserving “water, energy, space and cost” (7). But it is important to acknowledge both advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic systems to have a proper perspective on this technology.

Pros

There are many reasons why hydroponic crops have an advantage over traditional soil farming methods. A major benefit is that hydroponics allows the reuse of water and nutrients in closed and open systems (2). This helps reduce the 70% of fresh water resources that is used in agriculture and aid in sustainability of future farming practices (7). This can be done easily in a closed system because the nutrient solution is circulating throughout the system continuously, but in an open system when the nutrient solution is not circulating there are other alternatives. Instead of directly disposing the excess nutrient solution into lakes or rivers and negatively impacting the environment, studies have shown that microalgae can be used to filter the solution (3). Microalgae is capable of significantly reducing the nutrient content from hydroponic solutions especially nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen (3).

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In the case of disease in the system the solution needs to be discarded to prevent the cycling of the pathogen, thus it can be discarded without impacting the environment. When it comes to replacing the nutrients in the hydroponic solution, vermicompost can be used as an inexpensive alternative to direct fossil fuel nutrients (1). Vermicompost is a type of compost that is broken down by earthworms and provides high nutrient content (1). It has been shown in studies that using vermicompost in greenhouse and field settings increases the growth and yield of the crops (1). Hydroponic systems benefit researchers as they tend to use hydroponic systems to preform general crops studies to eliminate the complexity of a soil organism (4). For example, in studies like nutrient uptake in plants the medium used in hydroponics to support the plant is standardized and does not affect the results as a soil organism would have (5). This allows researchers to eliminate the variability of other factors associated with soil organisms that can skew the results. Hydroponic crops over the years have been recognized to produce improved quality and higher yield compared to soil-based crops and has led to and increase in production in the United States (2). Many of these systems are automatic and consider the plant requirements for the best growing conditions to maximize production (2).

For instance, since most hydroponic systems are located inside greenhouses many factors can be altered to mimic the proper growing conditions regardless what the growing conditions are outside the greenhouse (2). Factors such as the lighting, water, nutrients, temperature and air quality can all be altered (2). But there are more benefits to hydroponics than being located in a greenhouse than just factor of being able to alter the growing conditions. While crops are being grown hydroponically, they are not impacted by climate change, soil pathogens, and can be cultivated all year round not just seasonally like traditional soil farming (2). This means that indoor hydroponics can increase the number of crops being produced, while also producing better quality and yielding crops. Plants in hydroponic systems do not get infected as easily as plants because of the repetitive occurrence with bacteria when it arises (6). In circulating systems since the occurrence of bacteria is repetitive the plants can build up and immune or defence mechanism to protect it from the bacteria (6). Another benefit of having an increasingly automated hydroponic system is, there is less labour needed to maintain the crops like the need for weeding, watering and tilling is eliminated compared to traditional soil cropping (2). In hydroponic systems advance computer technology can monitor the whole system including nutrients levels, measurements, and cleaning (7). Even though all hydroponics are not as automated and expensive they still have many benefits.

Cons

Although there are many benefits regarding growing crops hydroponically, there are also many downfalls. The wastewater from hydroponic solutions contains a large amount of nutrients and will cause significant environmental problems when it is released into streams and lakes because of the large amount of nutrients (3). If the water is not filtered or cleaned, then it should not be released into the environment, thus this is an extra cost to the hydroponic system as the disposal of wastewater needs to be compromised. Hydroponic systems can negatively impact the environment from wastewater and from unrecycled parts (2). Many parts in the system such as the nutrient solution and plastic material are reusable, but when they are not recycled then it creates environmental concerns (2). Hydroponic systems avoid the problems of soilborne disease due to the fact that it is a soilless system, but they still encounter the problems through waterborne diseases. Nutrient solution in a closed system becomes a problem when phytophagous, fungal infection, or another type of pathogen can contaminate the nutrient solution or crop very rapidly when the water is circulating by accumulating or multiplying throughout the entire system (2).

In a closed system many problems can arise due to the fact that the nutrient solution is constantly cycled such as salt accumulation (2). This will affect the crops growth and productivity and will continue to do so until the solution is drained (2). Diseases can become a major issue as it can be spread across all the plants within that system over a fast period of time. Disease such as E. coli can also be a big issue with growing crops hydroponically. Studies have shown that as there is an increase in the movement of E. coli into edible parts of the plants in hydroponic systems, and especially if the roots are damaged (6). This could be costly as an infection can disturb the whole crop because of the circulation and contamination. A major downfall to automatic systems is that they are extremely expensive to set up, as the supplies are expensive and need to be installed properly (2). Considering that most of the hydroponic systems are automated, they need energy to drive machines to supply the system with controled conditions and to circulate the water or nutrient solution. Problems arise when there is no power available, the system can not provide for the crops, and the whole crop could be shocked or disrupted (2).

Ultimately this could affect the production of this system. This is why operators need to be knowledgeable and skilled to run a proper hydroponic system and eliminate errors from occurring (2). Though labour has been decreased the operator still faces a lot of work monitoring that the adequate amounts of the system such as nutrients, light, pH and diseases are kept at normal levels or else they need to be fixed (2). This comes into play even more when vermicompost is used instead of direct fossil fuel nutrient supply. When supplying nutrients in a cost-effective way using vermicompost the nutrient content varies as the compost is a product of a random mix (1). The operator will now have to take more time or technology to constantly calculate the nutrient concentration as it constantly varies in vermicompost. Considering the fact that the concentration of nutrients is unknown until evaluated, it could be a problem for the crops if they receive too much of an unwanted nutrient. Overall to achieve a healthy hydroponic system and to maximize the crop yield, precise control of nutrients and conditions is required, but can be very costly and time consuming (7).

Perspective

Based on researching both the advantages and disadvantages of growing crops hydroponically I believe crops should be grown using hydroponics when the opportunity is available. If crops are properly grown using hydroponic technology, there is so many benefits. Hydroponic crops can increase the yield and quality for many crops because of the automated systems that aid to control external factors (2). This allows growers to be able to cultivate crops all year round, to avoid climate change, and control the growing conditions that the particular crop requires (2). Closed systems can also reduce the amount of water being used by reusing fresh water resources which is very sustainable for the future as 70% of fresh water is used for farming (1). Also, by using vermicompost instead of expensive nutrients it reduces cost and is using an organic renewable resource to supply rich nutrients to the plants (1). Obviously not all crops should be grown hydroponically, but if the opportunity is available it is a great alternative, minus the setbacks mentioned above such as rapid disease spread, high cost and possible environmental impacts. Also keeping in mind these setbacks can always be improved upon to make growing crops hydroponically not an issue at all.

Summary

In conclusion growing crops hydroponically is an alternative to traditional soil farming methods (7). Hydroponics systems consist of a water-based solution enriching in nutrients, without the use of a soil medium (2). Commonly an artificial medium is used to provide support for the plant as soil is not being used (2). Hydroponic systems started in 1920 and have dramatically evolved in a variety of designs (2). Interest in hydroponics is rapidly increasing and is very important because of the growing demand for maximizing food production (7). Hydroponic systems definitely have many advantages and disadvantages but overall in my perspective on this technology I believe growing crops hydroponically is very beneficial. It is important to accept the different approaches for growing crops because of the increase in the global population and food demand. By using alternate approaches such as hydroponics, we expand the amount of production levels used to produce food.

References

1. Arancon N.Q., Owen J.D., and Converse C. September 2018. Testing Vermicompost in Hydroponic Systems. Biocycle [Internet]. [updated Nov. 26, 2018; cited Mar. 28, 2019] 59(8):58-62 Available from: http://sfx.scholarsportal.info.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/guelph/docview/2108803172?accountid=11233
2. Lee S., Lee J. September 8, 2015. Beneficial bacteria and fungi in hydroponic systems: Types and characteristic of hydroponic food production methods. Scientia Horticulturae. [Internet]. [cited March 28, 2019]; 195: 206-215. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.09.011
3. Hultberg M., Carlsson A.S, Gustafsson S. March 13, 2013.Treatment of drainage solution from hydroponic greenhouse production with microalgae. Bioresource Technology. [Internet]. [cited March 28, 2019]; 136: 401-406. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.03.019
4. Tripathi P., Rabara R.C., Shulaev V., Shen Q.J. and Rushton P.J. December 21, 2015. Understanding Water-Stress Responses in Soybean Using Hydroponic System – A Systems Biology Perspective. Frontiers in Plant Science. [Internet]. [cited March 28, 2019]; 6: 1145. Available from: doi: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01145
5. Adrover M., Moya G., and Vadell J. May 21, 2013. Use of hydroponics culture to assess nutrient supply by treated wastewater. Journal of Environmental Management. [Internet]. [cited March 28, 2019]; 127: 162-165. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.04.044
6. Macarisin D., Patel J., and Sharma V.K. December 7, 2013. Role of curli and plant cultivation conditions on Escherichia coli O157: H7 internalization into spinach grown on hydroponics and in soil. International Journal of Food Microbiology. [Internet]. [cited March 28, 2019]; 173: 48-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.12.004.
7. Rius-Ruiz F.X., Andrade F.J., Riu J., and Rius F.X. September 29, 2013. Computer-operated analytical platform for the determination of nutrients in hydroponic system. Food Chemistry. [Internet]. [cited March 29, 2019]; 147: 92-97. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.09.114