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Hydroponics and aeroponics are gardening systems that utilize scientific principles that allows for the growing of plants without soil. In theory, it is feasible for plants to grow in a soil less environment as long as they are provided the right amount of nutrients and minerals. Both methods are known to generate crop yields that are better than plants grown using traditional techniques. In addition, produce are in general of better quality. One setback of these however is cost as in the current times, they are still out of reach from the common farmer and using them for large scale operations would be financially impractical for most. When you compare aeroponics vs. hydroponics, you would find that the latter offers more advantages if set-up right. In hydroponics plant roots are soaked in nutrient rich solution. The medium where roots are placed could either be purely liquid or solid materials such as gravel mixed with a nutrient solution.
With aeroponics, roots are suspended and exposed to air while nutrients are sprayed on them several times during the day. You would need automated sprayers coupled with timers that would ensure that the roots receive optimum nutrition for this. In this aspect, when you pit aeroponics vs. hydroponics, the latter comes away as the winner, as less wastage is achieved, translating to lower costs.
Another reason as to why aeroponics would win in an aeroponics vs. hydroponics competition is that roots in the former are relatively healthier. This is because root systems grown in aeroponics have better exposure to carbon dioxide as compared to hydroponics where they are soaked most of the time in solution.
One aspect however where hydroponics would come out superior in a hydroponics vs. aeroponics match is reliability. Since aeroponics requires automation, plants would become vulnerable once equipment fails or stalls, which is not the case in hydroponics systems. That is why most aeroponics gardens come with a hydroponics backup system as contingency to equipment failure.
When it comes to susceptibility to diseases and pests, most experienced gardeners would pick aeroponics in an aeroponics vs. hydroponics competition. The reason being is that in aeroponics, plants receive fresh nutrients each and every time whereas in hydroponics, roots are soaked in a solution for extended periods of time, which can induce infection overtime. In addition, in aeroponics systems, plants are spaced apart farther than in hydroponics ones, which can reduce the incidence of infection.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about hydroponic gardening and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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