Aeroponics vs. Soil
| Aeroponics | Soil | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Aeroponics is the process of growing plants without the use of a growing medium in an open air environment. Instead, roots hang out in the open. The roots in the aeroponics system are sprayed with nutrient-rich water. All of this takes place in a controlled setting with no outside influences such as weather. | Plants grown in soil the weather, temperatures and nutrients can change at any time, plants growing in soil fluctuate in vigor and growth pace. |
| Growth Rate (%) | 45 – 75% | Less 30% |
| Crop Yields (%) | 300% | 100 – 125% |
| Water Conservation (%) | 95% | 25 – 30% |
Higher Yields
When it comes to yield, NASA discovered that aeroponic crops give higher produce even though they require lesser tending. This claim is supported by a 2014 study done by the National Center for Natural Products Research of the University of Mississippi which shows that the average yield percentage of aeroponic fruit crops and leafy vegetables are relatively higher than those that were grown in soil.
Pollution and Pests
In growing plants in the traditional way, it is necessary to check the soil for signs of pests and contamination regularly. Aside from this, there is also the possibility that pesky animals would try to damage crops even before they can make their first produce.
These things aren’t a problem with aeroponics. The absence of soil in this planting technique means there are no harmful petrochemicals, rodents, and other pathogens that the grower has to worry about. They may occasionally encounter pests in their regulated plant environment, but it’s only due to air circulation, and it can easily be fixed.
Plant Growth
Aeroponic plant roots grow with larger foliage because they are hanging in the open air. This means they can easily absorb optimized sprays and allow increased intake of much-needed oxygen supply.
Space
Growing a traditional garden takes up a lot of land mass and that is a given fact. The best option for those who have very limited space but would like to jump into gardening is setting up a vertical plants system done through aeroponics. This also works for growers whose target is to plant a variety of crops for better profit.
Modern planting like aeroponics is not as demanding as the traditional one when it comes to land area. With the help of trellises, you can plant vertically and skip all the stress it would take to set up a soil-based garden.
Aeroponics or Soil: Which Is Better?
According to NASA, plants grown in an aeroponic system have been shown to take up more nutrients than soil-grown plants, and these result in better health. Plants grown in soil vary in vigor and growth rate because weather, temperatures and soil nutrients can change at any time.