Types of Soilless Farming

1. Hydroponics

• Hydroponics comes from the Latin language and it means working water. “hydro” means “water” and “ponos” means “labor”.
• Refers to Cultivation of plants in a nutrient solution without soil.
• Hydroponics involves growing plants in a soil less medium, usually perlite, rock wool or gravel, using a small pump to circulate nutrient-laden water through the root system.
• Systems used:
  • Static solution culture – Plants grown in containers filled with nutrient solution.
  • Continuous flow culture – Nutrient solution flows past the roots (e.g., Nutrient Film Technique, NFT).
  • Deep water culture – Roots suspended in aerated nutrient solution.
• Examples of crops: Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, spinach, strawberry.

2. Aeroponics

• Plants are grown with roots suspended in air and sprayed with nutrient mist.
• Features:
  • Provides maximum oxygen availability to roots.
  • Saves up to 90 percent water compared to traditional farming.
  • Requires high technical precision and cost.
• Examples of crops: Potato seed tubers, leafy greens, herbs, medicinal plants.

3. Aquaponics

• Refers to the Integration of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics in a closed-loop system.
• Process:
  • Fish waste provides nutrients for plants.
  • Plants filter and purify water, which is recirculated back to fish tanks.
• Advantages: Dual production (fish + vegetables), eco-friendly system.
• Examples of crops: Leafy greens, basil, lettuce; Fish – tilapia, catfish.

4. Substrate Culture (Aggregate Culture)

• Definition: Plants grown in inert solid media instead of soil, with nutrient solution supplied through irrigation.
• Common substrates:
  • Natural – Sand, gravel, pumice, coconut coir.
  • Artificial – Rockwool, perlite, vermiculite, clay pellets.
• Advantages: Provides root support and aeration; easier management than hydroponics.
• Examples of crops: Capsicum, tomato, rose, carnation.

5. Vertical Farming

• Definition: Growing plants in stacked layers using hydroponic, aeroponics, or aquaponics methods.
• Features:
  • Maximizes space utilization, especially in urban areas.
  • Controlled environment with LED lighting, automation, and sensors.
  • High productivity but requires large initial investment.
• Examples of crops: Lettuce, microgreens, herbs, strawberries.

6. Other Specialized Forms

• Fogponics – Similar to aeroponics, but roots are supplied with ultrasonic fog nutrient mist.
• Bioponics – Use of organic nutrient solutions derived from compost, vermi compost, or fish waste.
• Space farming systems – Experimental soilless methods developed by NASA for extraterrestrial crop production.