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Aeroponics
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
Aeroponics is a hydroponic technique involving the use of sprayers, nebulizers, foggers, or other devices to create a fine mist of solution to deliver
nutrients to plant roots.
Aeroponic techniques are used in the cultivation of
high value crops and plant specimens that can offset the high setup and maintenance
costs associated with this method of horticulture.
In many aeroponic
gardens, the plant roots are suspended above a reservoir of nutrient solution
or inside a channel connected to a reservoir. A pump delivers nutrient solution
via sprayer nozzles, which then drips or drains back into the reservoir. Aeroponic systems are favored over other methods of
hydroponics because the increased aeration of nutrient solution delivers more
oxygen to plant roots, stimulating growth and preventing algae formation.
Aeroponics is an improvement upon
drip irrigation techniques that have been used for decades by traditional
agriculturalists. Contemporary aeroponic techniques
are attributed to research in the 1960s and 1970s at NASA's Ames Research Center, where scientists were
studying methods of growing food crops in low gravity situations for future space colonization.
A variation of the technique
employs the use of ultrasonic nebulizers or foggers instead of spray nozzles to deliver nutrient solution.
This technique is considered even more effective, as it reduces the solution to
extremely small particles which are readily absorbed by plant roots. The small
droplets of liquid produce through this method also easily suspends itself in
air and has lower tendency to fall out of its carrier gas solution, thus
enabling larger aeroponics installations. It
encourages development of a healthy plant root system, whereas with traditional
aeroponics the roots can become matted and bound.
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