What is the Difference Between Aeroponics and Hydroponics? | Aeroponics vs Hydroponics

Modern farming methods like aeroponics and hydroponics are becoming more popular these days. These farming techniques permit crops to grow where traditional agriculture cannot. While these techniques are becoming more popular, more questions are raised regarding the environmental impact and the general health of plants grown with aeroponics or hydroponics.

Hydroponics is a popular method of agriculture that allows the development of crops using various types of water-based methods. Aquaponics and aeroponics are two kinds of hydroponics. A water-based growth medium is provided to both systems to supply vital nutrients to crops. In aquaponics, a mix of fish and bacteria are utilized to provide nutrients to crops. On the other hand, aeroponics is the cultivation process of plants through the supply of nutrients via an extremely high-pressure rich mist that is nutrient-rich.

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is growing plants using no soil. It’s also known as water cultivation or soilless cultivation. All the nutrients required in various developmental phases of the plant are supplied through the water used to run the system. There are two types of hydroponic systems classified as aquaponics and aeroponics.

The plants are grown in net containers or on trays filled with a chemically impervious medium in the hydroponic technique. The primary purpose in the process is the support the plant. The media types could include clay pellets, sand perlite rock wool, or gravel. 

Aquaponics, a type of hydroponics, uses a combination of fish waste systems to make organic nutrients employing bacteria. The less frequent maintenance of this system is the main benefit of hydroponics systems. However, the installation of the system can be costly.

Also read – Hydroponic Farming

Also read – Aquaponics

What is Aeroponics?

Aeroponics is growing plants by exposing their roots to the air. In aeroponics, the nutrient-rich mist is used to nourish plants. Mist offers nutrients and oxygen-rich supplements to the plant roots. The roots require oxygen to aid in the intake of nutrition. This technique is also referred to as Fogponics. 

In general, aeroponic systems are effective and safe. They can provide high yields rapidly. However, the lighting systems used for crops can be costly. The Aeroponics technique is utilized in space by NASA scientists to cultivate plants.

Similarities Between Hydroponics and Aeroponics

The plants can be grown throughout the year in aeroponics and hydroponics farming methods.

1. Both aeroponics and hydroponics techniques do not require soil to grow plants.
2. Both techniques use chemical nutrients for the better development of crop plants.
3. Both systems are extremely efficient and provide high yields.
4. Both systems can be used indoors and outdoors.
5. The damage caused by pests is less in both of these techniques.

Difference Between Hydroponics and Aeroponics

Hydroponics	Aeroponics
Technique to grow plants using nutrient-rich water, without soil	Technique to grow plants, without soil, and exposed to air.
It requires a significantly larger amount of water than aeroponics.	The water requirement is extremely low.
The plant roots are exposed to nutrients-rich water.	The plant roots are exposed to nutrient-rich mist.
Inert medium is used to hold the plant.	No medium is required.
Not susceptible to power outages.	More susceptible to power outages
A relatively low maintenance system.	Needs more regular maintenance.
A bit expensive.	In comparison, it is expensive due to the high maintenance costs.
Supports a wider variety of plants.	The most suitable plants like citrus and olives.

Aeroponics vs Hydroponics

Basic

Hydroponics: It is cultivating plants in nutrient-rich water without soil.

Aeroponics: The cultivation of crops in which the roots are exposed to air.

Roots

Hydroponics: The roots of the plants are directly exposed to nutrients-rich water.

Aeroponics: Roots of the plants are exposed to mist for several hours.

Amount of Water Used

Hydroponics: It requires a substantial water supply.

Aeroponics: Aeroponics needs a comparatively lesser amount of water.

Outages

Hydroponics: The plants are not affected by outages.

Aeroponics: Plants are easily exposed to disruptions.

Holding the Plant

Hydroponics: Chemically impervious media is employed in hydroponics to support the plant.

Aeroponics: In Aeroponics, sheets of foam or plastic clips are used to keep plants in the right place.

Medium

Hydroponics: Chemically impervious media such as clay, sand pellets, rock wool, perlite or gravel are employed.

Aeroponics: No media is utilized in aeroponics.

Types of Plants

Hydroponics: Systems for hydroponics can be modified to accommodate all types of plants.

Aeroponics: Olive, as well as citrus, are grown using aeroponics.

Conclusion

Both aeroponics and hydroponics farming methods are soilless techniques. Hydroponics is a broad term that refers to a range of water-based systems used to cultivate crops. Hydroponics is the practice of growing crops using water-based methods, whereas aeroponics involves plants with nutrients and water as mist. The main difference between the two is the method used to supply water to each system.

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