The Future Of Food Production: General Hydroponics

By Author: Vikram kumar
Total Articles: 9721
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Although the science behind hydroponics has been around for decades, if not centuries, recent technological advancements have made this cultivation process a viable option for the future. General hydroponics is basically a technique of growing vegetation through mineral irrigation without the presence of soil. Accompanied by controlled technology as CAP controllers, this method allows plants to grow only on mineral solutions or simple cultures such as wool or coconut husk.

The history of general hydroponics dates back to the 19th century when biologists first discovered that plants only need mineral ions as nutrients. Ever since this realization, cultivating plants in Petri dishes have been prevalent in scientific studies. Up to the mid 20th century, the idea of growing plants without soil was mostly restricted within labs. During the 1960s, cutting-edge hydroponic technology was introduced by NASA to develop ways to grow plants on Mars. Beyond academics and pure science, more recently, general hydroponics has become a popular and economic means of producing consumable goods for livestock and people.

During ...
... the early adoption of hydroponic technology, pest and plant disease made effective cultivation difficult. High humidity and abundance of fertilizers created an optimal environment for pests and plant diseases, which reduced harvest yields. Further research and development of general hydroponics in the past few decades, however, have led to reduction in pest problems and increased production. Because hydroponic farming is performed under a highly controlled environment, the harvest is much more stable and has the potential to achieve high yields. Precise control and retention of minerals and water also drive down the costs of production, and minimize environmental pollution. Such advantages have made hydroponics a rapidly growing industry and method of farming in many nations.

One of the most important tools to maintain a controlled environment is to use custom automated products, or CAP controllers. These are box shaped equipments that have the capability to control temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and even amount of light, by simply connecting the user's existing ventilation equipment (air conditioning, fans, and etc.) to the CAP controllers' exhaust outlet. By adjusting the environmental factors optimally through these devices, users can attain even more increased yields at a relatively low cost. Multiple capabilities, especially light adjusting functions make some CAP controllers slightly more expensive, but the controllers can be purchased mostly under $500.

With minimal investment in equipment such as CAP controllers, methods of general hydroponics have reaped positive results in the last few years. In 2005, hydroponic commercial farmers began to show large economic gains, as did Eurofresh Farms (world's largest hydroponic farm) sold 56 million kilograms of tomatoes. Even environmentalists are proponents of general hydroponics, as this farming method immensely saves water compared to traditional farming methods. Some hydroponic farmers do not use any pesticides or chemicals, through integrated pest control technologies, and makes quality produce which can be deemed to be organic. The population is exponentially increasing in the globe, and market demands for food are higher than ever before. Whether using hydroponics commercially or at home, people will soon realize that hydroponics is the future of food production.

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