Hydroponics

In hydroponic production, the growing medium — if used at all — serves only to anchor roots and hold moisture; it does not supply nutrients the way soil does. All plant nutrients are dissolved in irrigation water and delivered directly to the root zone in a formulated nutrient solution.

Nutrient solution

Irrigation water formulated with dissolved plant nutrients, replacing soil as the nutrient source.

Growing medium

An inert material such as rockwool, perlite, or coco coir that anchors roots without supplying nutrients.

Recirculating system

A hydroponic setup that captures and reuses unabsorbed nutrient solution rather than discharging it.

Because there is no soil to buffer or supply nutrients, the grower must formulate and continually manage a complete nutrient solution — covering nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients — and monitor solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC) to keep nutrients available and avoid toxicity or deficiency.

• Recirculating systems can use water more efficiently than open-field irrigation for the same crop
• Avoids soil-borne pests, diseases, and weeds associated with field soil
• Enables precise, adjustable nutrient control
• Can support year-round production when paired with climate control

• Higher capital cost for infrastructure than soil-based production
• Ongoing energy use for pumps, aeration, and often supplemental lighting or climate control
• Requires technical skill and regular monitoring of nutrient solution and equipment
• Vulnerable to rapid impact from system or power failure
• Commercially limited mainly to a narrow range of high-value crops

Hydroponics is used in commercial greenhouse operations producing leafy greens, tomatoes, and other horticultural crops, in urban and peri-urban production close to consumers, and in research and educational settings. It remains uncommon for staple field crops such as cereals or pulses, which are not commercially grown hydroponically at scale.